Xsara Heavy Pas & Poor Main Dealer Servicing.

[boroboy]

Hi all,

I've recently bought a 02 Xsara 1.4 LX, after owning a mk1 Xsara 1.4. The PAS seems heavier on my new Xsara, noticed the mk 2's are fitted with wider tyres (195's). Could this be the reason for the slightly heavier steering? Belt not snapped, but hasn't been changed in over 80,000 miles. Could a warn PAS belt cause heavier steering? I have noticed that the outside of the PAS/alternator belt is cracking.

 

Looking through the previous service history a main citroen dealer changed the timing belt at 75,000 miles, but didn't bother changing the PAS/alternator belt at the same time.

 

Main Citroen dealer has serviced this car from new, every 12,500 miles. Had a slight intermittent miss fire prob when the car engine was cold. Checked plugs, 3 loose, one very loose & black in colour, due to petrol leaving cylinder & plug must have been tracking. I blame that on poor workmanship by the main dealer. Car only had one previous lady owner, whom never touched vehicle, left it to the main dealer, whom last serviced the car 5,000 miles ago (full service). Why were the plugs not fully tightened up?

[kfk]

MkII Xsara does have heavier power steering than the MkI.

 

The reason the belt wasnt changed......maybe he customer was asked and said no! after all an alternator belt isnt included in the service it would be additional too it.....sometimes its customers that cant be bothered to take good advice.....they want to save money and think were trying to have one over on them all he time.

 

Plugs loose......1 carefull lady owner doesnt mean anything......had a situation where a vehicle came into us as a non runner......we replaced the fuel pump in the tank because it wasnt working. Roadtested the vehicle and returned it to the customer.......who, the next morning called us to tell us they had a leak. We duly recovered the vehicle and fixed the leak under the bonnet!......pity the RAC didnt refit the pipes properly that they removed.

 

Point i'm making here is this, maybe the main dealer didnt do the job properly, but having done 5,000 miles since the last service anyone could have touched them!

[boroboy]

MkII Xsara does have heavier power steering than the MkI.

 

The reason the belt wasnt changed......maybe he customer was asked and said no! after all an alternator belt isnt included in the service it would be additional too it.....sometimes its customers that cant be bothered to take good advice.....they want to save money and think were trying to have one over on them all he time.

 

Plugs loose......1 carefull lady owner doesnt mean anything......had a situation where a vehicle came into us as a non runner......we replaced the fuel pump in the tank because it wasnt working. Roadtested the vehicle and returned it to the customer.......who, the next morning called us to tell us they had a leak. We duly recovered the vehicle and fixed the leak under the bonnet!......pity the RAC didnt refit the pipes properly that they removed.

 

Point i'm making here is this, maybe the main dealer didnt do the job properly, but having done 5,000 miles since the last service anyone could have touched them!

KfK,

Point taken, didn't mean to offend.

 

Your right about customers, the alternator belt has to come off anyway when the dealer changed the cambelt, does it not? Would the dealer then have only charged for the price of the belt? The customer probably didn't want to pay because it wasn't in the service schedule (crazy customer). What's the mileage for an alternator/pas belt renewal? I'm changing it anyway.

 

Have noticed Citroen have done away with the two belts & replaced them with one. Comparing the mk1 & 2's. Think the wider tyres would be better suited to the larger engine Xsaras, look better I suppose.

 

Is the heavier PAS due to the wider tyres?

 

Suffering from some brake squeal, checked front pads & discs, seem OK. One pad wearing slightly more than it's opposite number (drivers side), still plenty left on them though.

 

Think I'll have to check rear shoes & tighten up handbrake cable.

[kfk]

There isnt a schedule for the replacement of the alternator belt. However, we tend to recommend replacement at the cambelt change.....if only as you rightly say, it has to come off anyway.

[boroboy]

There isnt a schedule for the replacement of the alternator belt. However, we tend to recommend replacement at the cambelt change.....if only as you rightly say, it has to come off anyway.

KfK,

Thanks again for your valuable info.

 

Has the introduction of one belt made the PAS heavier? Or do you think it's the tyres? I preferred the old set up.