citroen dispatch 1.9 d problems!

oldernotsowise

Hi
Could anyone please offer me some advice/guidance please. I have had some expert advice previously from members on this van and now find myself asking for more help.
Here is the dilema

MOT due 2 weeks time.

High mileage ( only just discovered because of faulty display) 229,000 miles!
1998 1.9 xud model, however have been advised previous owner fitted a turbo model fuel pump!

Have recently noticed small amount of water in footwell of drivers side.
Fan heater works but temperature will not get above lukewarm.
Have taken a look under the lid of the expansion bottle (coolant) and found what looks like tiny oil like circles(can only just see the level against strainer.

The van has had oil and filters changed,new battery and new glow plugs and is only used occasionally.

DECISICIONS?

Do you think i have a head gasket problem,if so how much to repair?

Do you think i am expexting too much from this van with the high mileage?

many thanks for all replies

Hammyman

Yes it is possible you have a head gasket issue. Cost around £450 to repair.

The water in the footwell could be a leaking window seal or a leaking heater matrix.

Regarding the fan, does the temp gauge get to the normal level?

s_b

have a pressure test done of the water system as it sounds like heater matrix gone,im sure its a common problem on this van too
you are bound to have a little oil mix in the water at this mileage its the sitrowan law
an mot is cheaper than a new van so its worth putting in for a test if water system comes back as ok because you could always get garage to bypass heater matrix

interstellaflyer

None of the things mentioned will fail an MOT so as above, why not put the van in for MOT and make any further decissions based on what, if any work is needed to pass.

oldernotsowise

Thanks for the quick replies, in answer to the heating question yes the temp gauge sits at pretty much midway, gets there pretty quick and seems to remain stable.
Will put in for mot and see what throws up if anything and then take it from there.
thanks for the help

mcjordi

leaky heater matrix.. pretty involved job means taking the dash board out iirc.. been a while since i even looked at these vans.. get it sorted soon tho as the coolant loss will take out the HG soon..

Stigy

The dampness could be a heater matrix, and the termperature of the heating could be due to a faulty thermostat, causing the van to run cold all the time. Or they could be related.

Edit: Ignore the thermostat part, I've seen now that you said the temperature guage sits about right.

johnnyroper

on a xud with that mileage i would hazard a guess atthe head gasket on way out with the heater not getting very warm,common side effect of the HG pressurising the cooling system causing air locks through heater.

Someone i worked with had a similar issue with his 200k 405 xud in the end he ran it with the coolant filler cap off to release some pressure rather than get it fixed properly.You could try running it up with no cap on and see if the heat problem changes,i would not advise driving it round like this though just running up on drive as a test.

oldernotsowise

Thanks to all those that helped with their replies, just wanted to give a quick update.

Van went in for MOT and failed on front brake pads only! so that in itself was a relief.
As for the heating/temp issues after various checks the headgasket been given all clear the problem lies with the heater matrix.
Just to show my low level of vehicle knowledge-what i thought to be the coolant overflow tank was in fact the power steering reservoir!!!
it was here that i saw oily/milky fluid.The mechanic seems to think that someone bodged it by filling with engine oil not power steering fluid so this will need to be drained.

So all in all not too bad, apart from cold feet this winter!
many thanks
for all the replies