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Posted

Hi, just got 2006 HDI 2.0 with70,000 miles from a small independent dealer. No recorded service history for 40,000 miles however he changed the oil and oil filter at purchase. I opened the air filter and it looks new and it's just had a new clutch. I have it booked in at my usual mechanic next week for a timing belt. Reading through the posts suggests I should change the water pump too. I bought it knowing I would have to spend a bit on servicing and with that in mind are they any other "don't delay" jobs I should consider for the C8 or any parts or fluids peculiar to this model and not referred to in the owners handbook that I should insist the mechanic use or avoid? It's a week away giving me time to visit a couple of local breakers should anyone suggest a parts swap whilst the patient is under? The car appears to be running ok, it's a 109hp engine which seems fine for the time being.

 

Thank you for reading

Posted

With the timing belt you will also replace the tensioner and any other pulleys the belt goes around, including the water pump. You could also do the same with the auxiliary belt since that will be removed to do the timing belt. The anti freeze is probably a long life OAT type but at 10 years old it should be flushed out and replaced.

 

One of the first things I do on a new to me car is check/clean the brakes. If it has an exhaust particulate filter it may need the eolys fluid topping up. The brake/clutch fluid should be changed every 2 years so it may be due for doing and if the previous owner did not provide any record of when it was last done then this is a must - we recently had a C5 owner whose brakes failed going downhill due to old fluid that had not been changed for a long time. When you opened the air filter did you remove it to check the other side which will be the dirty side, it is easy to take the lid off and seeing the filter nice and clean think it is ok. The pollen filter is often an annual replacement. The diesel fuel filters are often not replaced but should be done approx every 4 years/40k miles and if not done can lead to running problems.

 

I would check if the new clutch also included a new dual mass flywheel since these are usually replaced at the same time since if worn they can lead to early failure of a new clutch.

Posted

Thank you for such a comprehensive reply. I spoke in passing to the mechanic this morning who said "don't worry if it turns Ill replace it". When I leave the car in I will ask him to flush out the antifreeze and change the brake and clutch fluid. I did check both sides of the air filter and I think it must have been changed and the dealer didn't know or forgot to put it in the service book because it looks new. I have to call in with the dealer to collect a seat lever and will have him ask his mechanic if a dual mass flywheel was included with the new clutch. The mechanic I go to runs a tip top shop with a busy crew. I'll ask him to change the fuel filter to avoid any running problems and discuss your advice eolys fluid and pollen filter. During my brief conversation with him I asked if he could guesstimate a ballpark figure to which he replied "I can guarantee it will be under ten thousand pounds".

 

Thank you again for taking the time to reply. I'm grateful for the guidance. . I will update the post after the maintenance is completed to include work done and just how much change I got from ten thousand pounds!. If there's anyone else out there who may be considering buying an older C8 battle bus it may help them budget appropriately or haggle a better bargain if, like mine there's not a comprehensive service history.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
Timing belt, pulleys and water pump replaced. Coolant flushed and replaced. £78.18 for timing belt kit incl water pump, £3.25 for long life anti freeze, £180 for labour, VAT £53.27 and £319.58 total. Gear linkages control cables, fuel filter and brake fluid to be done around 23rd this month on the understanding that the dealer will pay my mechanic for the job (for linkages not brake fluid and filters). Will update then with costs. Just posted a note to the last registered owner whose contact details were on the new tax book I got. Informed him who I was and asked if he had any documents that he might let me have (SAE included) and any other history he wanted to pass on. I also updated him on work done and work planned with an offer of occasional updates on his old car (if he was interested!).
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
Nowt back from the previous owner yet. Gear control cables installed yesterday at cost of £144 for labour. The cables were supplied by the dealer who ordered them thru Belfast Citroen. I called to collect but was early and saw the car at the stage with the lower dash stripped out. It seemed a pretty big job with another couple of hours to go. I'm gonna have a go at BSI reset because the n/s passenger door isn't locking and can be opened when car is locked ( triggers the alarm). Update to follow.
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Thanks for this info. I have literally just bought a C8 2.2 Exclusive, also with no history. It clearly hasn't been serviced for some time, it was last MOT'd 2 years ago before the garage I bought from put it through, which I have my doubts about! But it's running well enough and has low milage which was my motivation for buying in the knowledge I'll have to get a few things fixed. 

 

I've put a new CAT on it already and it's back in tomorrow for a new timing belt. I will make sure these items get added to the list.

  • 4 weeks later...
Posted

Update: The non-locking passenger door has been been fixed. Turns out the dealer I bought from knew what was wrong with it when I went back to him. He said he knew it needed a particular part. I left it with him to fix and bit my lip when wanting to ask how he knew. Just as well my 5 yr old daughter found the problem!

 

The Windows started to behave erratically, going down smoothly but not closing without several button presses or having to use the Windows own switch rather than the drivers control panel. The near side passenger door bounced open on closing and would only close after several attempts, during one episode at the school pick up my girl got soaked as the rain blew in. Dealer said it was caused by a stone in the runner channel that his mechanic removed however it's happened again and on inspection I can find no debris? Coincidentally the car alarm has sounded twice now in my presence so I know that no one has tried to gain entry. The dealer booked an appointment for the car at Belfast Citroen. I left it in with them this morning (Mon 3/10/16) to diagnose. During the booking in stage chit chat I mentioned that I would like to try a BSI reset but preferred to wait until the 3 month warranty period had expired so as not to invalidate it. The guy booking it in (Thomas) told me not to even bother as "...it's impossible to do without our Citroen software. I don't care what you're reading, it's impossible to do without our Citroen software". I backed off, left the car for diagnosis and hopefully repair. The dealer was to pick it up and pay the bill later this evening however it's 9.30pm? I'll further update tomorrow I hope and if I have receipts I will cost the work.

 

Hi BlueC8. Hope the makeover is progressing as planned and the investment was a sound one. For what it's worth ours has been great other than the niggly things. It has the room we need, chairs turn around for rainy day in car picnics and it's reasonably economical. The sound system looks a wee bit dated but sounds great so no complaints there..

Posted
Update: car back from Citroen. They have checked it and report there's nothing wrong with it. Their fault reader reports no faults. They will only be able to fix it if I can reproduce the fault in their presence. Sods Law- everything worked fine when they tested. Inspection cost £85.
Posted

door locks on these are a common problem so best to replace it b4 it jams altogether . Bsi resets don't need any software at all to do it and the procedure is pinned on this forum.  the windows anti pinch mechanism is what is stopping it going up . check the widow channels for muck or  signs of corrosion. Sit with just the ignition on and put the window up ( from drivers panel) and release the switch then pull switch back up and hold it and you should here a click and that will reset the ant pinch. After a bsi reset you might need to do it to all windows

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