Radiator Leaking Coolant?

[Alex Cutelli]

Hi, newbie here.

 

I've had an M reg ZX 1.9L turbo (diesel) - with 73k now on the clock - for just over a year and it's due for its annual service. Already I've shelled out the best part of a grand on a replacement cambelt, new rear cylinders, brake pads and a bunch of other stuff. Now I've noticed that the coolant in the rad has dropped right down to minimum. As we've only done around 9k miles this year I suspect there's a slight leak.

 

So, I'm taking it for the first time to a Citroen dealer, rather than my usual local garage, and they tell me that their 'small' service costs around £130. I can cope with that but I fear that they may tell me I need a new rad. So, how much might one cost to install? Or could I get away with bunging in some Radweld and hope it does the trick? The other thing is that in the manual it says that you need a Citroen dealer to put in the coolant if more than 1 litre is required. True or b.s?

 

any useful advice'd be much appreciated. cheers

[Guest Colin Hunter]

There are other places that the 1.9 XUD is prone to losing water and one of those is the water pump. Not the driven bit, but there is a plastic insert which forms the body of the pump which goes in from the back. It is sealed by an "O" ring and the groove can crack and not seal properly. It is not difficult to replace but is time consuming. However it may not be that. Look for coolant running down the from back of the engine.

 

If it is the Rad they are about £77 from German, Swedish and French. http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ and you may have a branch near you. Check the website. The rad is not difficult to change as it's just the fan, two hoses and a couple of clips which have to be undone to remove it. The lower hose has an "O" ring seal which will need to be replaced.

 

Refilling the system can be done at home but you will need a removeable "header tank" to raise the coolant level to enable the system to be bled. Beg/steal/borrow/buy a haynes manual for the procedure. There's a description of what to do and a picture of the "Tank" somewhere in these web pages. I've seen it but can't remember where! Sorry!

 

Refill the system using a 30-50% anti-freeze mix, or if you are in a "Hard water" area then pre-mixed coolant may be a better bet to reduce fouling of the system.

 

If you leave the job to citroen they have costings for all jobs so just ask them the cost and they'll tell you. Best to get it checked out ASAP as if it runs short of water and air locks the system then it's a "roasted" cylinder head at the very least! Beware! LOADSAMONEY!

 

Hope this helps!