Steering Noise

[cheet22]

Hi, new member today after buying a c8 last week. It's a 2007 2.0i petrol auto

 

It was an eBay buy so you guessed it, have found issues already!

 

Just had thermostat, water pipe, CV boots, exhaust fixed but a couple more issues I'd love some guidance on

 

1. Temp - car gets to 90 degrees but takes a while. If I then park up for an hour and on return it's pretty much back to 60 or 70 degrees. Is this normal?

 

2. I have a loud buzzing noise from front right of engine bay as I look at car. If I turn steering the buzzing noise alters so I'm guessing this car has an electric hydraulic steering? And electric motor is buzzing? Anyone know much about the steering, how hard to replace, if this is a sure sign of impending failure? Google has little on these cars!

 

And lastly, how the heck do you do anything is that engine bay??

 

Cheers for any support

[Simple]

The operating temperature is 90 degrees, taking a long time to reach it is (initially) a sign of faulty thermostat (even if it is new)... However, check your radiator (for deposits) and fans/sensors, water pump (for pressure), the oil level, the water antifreeze mix and level, if all is well, replace the thermostat.

 

2007 is unlikely to have an electric steering motor or pump.. The pump produces faint buzzing noise, remove the serpentine belt, which operates the steering pump, start the car and you will know what is causing it.. You may need to replace the steering fluid (if dirty) or top it up, the loud buzzing noise could be a result of tiny bubbles in the fluid.

 

Working in the C8 engine bay is "easily" acheived with "great difficulty"!! you haven't seen nothing yet.. However, when all is well, it is a nice comfortable and practical people (and other objects) mover..

 

While at it, if the car has done more than 60k miles, replace the gear oil, the full grarbox capacity is 6 liters but buy 4 liters because you can only drop 3.xx liters at a time. The type is Mobil Oil LT 71141.

 

Good luck.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Simple

[cheet22]

Thanks for replying. I havent had chance to do anythng for couple weeks due this ridiculous weather...

 

Anyway, im pretty sure the car has the electric hydraulic steering, with fluid bottle over on nearside of engine bay. I plan to strip back air filter etc to see if i can see the actual pump which i think is down behind light.

 

Will update when know more

[paul.h]

Most cars I've had take a couple of miles to get up to temperature, possibly a bit more in colder weather. If much longer and the heater in the cabin is not giving out hot air by then, it is often the thermostat that is faulty, opening at too low a temperature. You could check if the radiator top hose is getting warm if the thermostat is opening too soon. I have even had this on a new thermostat. You should also check all the air has been bled out when the coolant was replaced after replacing the last thermostat, just in case the temp sensor is in an air pocket and not coolant. The engine cooling down after use is probably normal.

 

If you want to check which steering pump you have, take a look at the parts diagrams using your VIN (VIS). This is a free service on service.citroen.com if you register as another professional and a member of the Citroen Owners Club. First easy check on the steering would be the fluid level.

[cheet22]

Thx for replies.

 

So been running car for couple more weeks and i think im happy with temp. It takes only a mile or less for heater to blow warm, and temp does rise to 88-89 degrees within about 5-7 miles. But pretty consistent. Compared to wifes astra which does about same distance before reaching temp.

 

On steering, not had chance to look into this (non stop rain for weeks!) but a quick look at fluid and its at right level but jet black. Wondering if i extract some (i have a fluid pump for car oil suction) and fill with clean fluid, run and repeat a few times to 'flush' new fluid through system is worth a shot?

 

Failing this, i might drop into glasgow power steering and see what they say first.

[cheet22]

Oh and its deffo the ehps steering - electric pump with hydraulic fluid

[paul.h]

The correct steering fluid on current Citroens is usually Total fluid DA or on C5 cars with hydractive suspension Total LDS. As you suggest, asking an expert before spending money on fluid is worth doing.

 

This is from Citroen's procedures so you may need to check if the correct fluid has been used in the past. The wrong fluid could damage seals. I had a Saab where the rack seals went and the fluid poured out of the rack bellows and on checking the fluid was the wrong colour so may have caused the damage.

 

For vehicles fitted with power steering with mechanical pump : Use only the hydraulic fluid TOTAL AT42 (Not : Versions for very cold climates).

For Very Cold Climate version vehicles fitted with power steering with mechanical pump : Use only the hydraulic fluid PENTOSIN CHF11S.

For vehicles fitted with an electropump assembly : Use only the hydraulic fluid TOTAL FLUIDE DA.

CAUTION : The hydraulic fluids TOTAL AT42, TOTAL FLUIDE DA and PENTOSIN CHF11S cannot be mixed with each other.