Buying A Second Hand C4. What To Look Out For?

[jay_uk]

Im thinking of buying a second hand 2006 to 2008 1.6 Manual Diesel with around 60k to 75k miles.  Are there any common faults or issues that I need to be aware of or look out for when buying?  What's the recommend interval for cam/timing belt changes? Thanks.

[paul.h]

On the C4 Technical section there is a pinned topic of some common problems to look out for. The main expensive ones are on the 1.6 hdi turbo failure and some may also have a dpf which at that mileage will be due for the eolys fluid topping up and the dpf replacing - but beware of ones that may have had the dpf drilled through or removed since this is no longer allowed and can result in MOT failure and insurance not being valid.

 

Off hand I do not know the mileage for timing belt replacement but could be 100k miles or 10 years whichever comes first.

 

Due to the risk of turbo failure, if you need a diesel the 2.0 hdi could be a better buy. If you insist on a 1.6 hdi check the service history and that it has had annual oil /filter changes using the correct oil and at no more than 12k miles, preferably done by a Citroen dealer, but even this does not guarantee the turbo will last.

[jay_uk]

Thanks for your reply.  Hopefully the dpf shouldn't be much of an issue for me.  I do a 70 mile round trip each day with 50 of that on the motorway.  If there is soot building up then my driving pattern should dissipate this. 

 

As for the turbo, are there any stand out indicators that one could be on it's way out or do they just fail without warning?  I'm after the best MPG i can find so the 2.0 is not an option for me.

 

Ill have a look in the technical section for the pinned topic.  Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[paul.h]

Signs of a turbo failing can be smoke on accelerating, maybe some noise, play in the rotor but to check this needs some parts removing. We had one fail on a petrol Saab and months before there were signs of smoke on start up and when accelerating but it eventually went on a motorway slip road when a large white cloud surrounded the car. Before it failed we had a breakdown warranty but they would not pay for it replacing until it actually failed at which point it was out of warranty, so if you get a warranty you need to see if it covers wear.

 

This topic from the C5 section is about a 1.6 hdi turbo failure http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/14888-adviceopinions-needed-for-new-c5-owner-16-hdi-turbo-failure/ . If one does fail it may mean the engine needs replacing if bits of metal get into the engine and oil ways which efectively writes off an older car. If it is just worn and not broken up, then it is possible to replace the turbo but also the oil feed/return pipes need replacing, the sump cleaning out, a filter in the oil feed pipe removing and possibly the ducting/cooler between the turbo and engine cleaning. On the Saab the garage insisted we had to replace the catalyst and lambda sensor since they were affected by the oil that went through the engine.

 

Another common fail on the C4 is the glovebox handle and replacement parts are available through ebay. The driver's seat foam may also break up at the sides.

[jay_uk]

Thanks I'll have a look at the service history and have a test drive checking the mirror when I accelerate.

[paul.h]

Comparing the fuel use by the 1.6 and 2.0 hdi cars, the 2.0 will use about 10% more so at your 15k miles a year, that is approx £150 more a year. The 1.6 needs to be serviced more frequently, pollen filter and oil/filter change 12500 miles vs 20k on the 2.0 hdi or 2 years if sooner on both (if you want to let it go that far between servicing) so this cost may off set all the fuel savings unless you do the work yourself.

 

From a Maintenance and guarantee guide that came with our 2007 C5:

- The timing belt is 150k miles on the 1.6 hdi and 160k miles on the 2.0 hdi, or 10 years on both if sooner.

- The dpf (if fitted) is fluid top up 75k miles on the 1.6 and 80k miles on the 2.0 and the dpf replacement 112500 miles on the 1.6 and 120000 miles on the 2.0.

- The diesel fuel filter and air filter replacement on the 1.6 is 37500 miles and 40000 miles on the 2.0.

[paul.h]

There is a 2004 to 2010 C4 buying guide in the August 2015 Car Mechanics magazine and I have now included a list of things to check from the article in the Common Problems topic.