Soot ?

[Merlinmagic]

Hi Guys, I need a bit of advice please if anyone can help.

So I have had my C5 1.6 hdi 2007, for a few weeks. In the last few days I have had timing belt/water pump replaced. Both driveshaft oil seals replaced. oil and filter change, new reverse switch on gearbox , aux drive belt. Tomorrow it is in for 4 tyres.  Today I noticed a smell like burned oil in the car ( wife noticed it too ). I think I didnt notice it before as the car dealer I got it from had drowned it in air freshner. So had a look under bonnet and I find there is a bit of an oil leak just under/around the turbo. It has been there for a while so Also there is quite a bit of soot. Looks like there is more soot in and around the heatshield.  I wiped off some of the soot and it smells the same as the smell inside the car. The mechanic who did my repairs says that the turbo will need replacing sometime soon at a cost of approx £650. ( he said there is a small amount of play in the fan thingy inside the turbo.)

So I thought I would post on here and see if anyone has had similar problem and would anyone advise to get it done sooner than later, and is it possible that the soot or leaking exhaust could be entering the car.  Is it possible to do a DIY with turbo or should I leave it in garage.

 

Thankyou very much for any advice,

 

Granville 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

How many miles has the car done ? Do you have a warranty with the car, just wondering when you are doing all these jobs on a car from a dealer who should be responsible for it being up to standard ?

 

The 1.6 hdi is known for early turbo failures and frequent oil/filter changes using the correct oil are needed to help it last. The soot may be a leaking gasket or pressure tapping on the exhaust/catalyst/dpf but the oil leak if on the inlet to the turbo may be reducing the oil flow to the turbo. Fumes under the bonnet can enter the cabin and another leak source are the fuel injector to cylinder head seals, so have a look at these. Your car may also be due for the eolys fluid topping up and the dpf replacing/cleaning.

 

If the turbo is on its way out, it is better to replace now rather than wait for it to possibly break up and wreck the engine if bits of metal get everywhere. This may be why the previous owner has sold the car. Turbo replacement is a diy job but do not just replace the turbo, the oil feed pipe and return pipes need replacing and an oil filter in the feed pipe needs removing and there may be some other bits. It is possible to replace the cartridge in the turbo and citrophile has done this on his C5 and C3, have a look at this topic http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/21140-possible-turbo-failure/

 

In the C5 Technical section there is a pinned topic on Common Problems to look at and in the C5 Problems and Fixes section there are some topics to read - Always Use Axle Stands, and a few on the brakes. The Haynes manual is worth getting.

[ESL57]

 It is also an idea to remove sump and get it dishwasher clean. Much gunk lies in there too.

  They are sludgy engines.