Citroen Xsara temp problems

Uniscots97

Thanks Yolina. Sorry if it was a daft question

I don't remember seeing a wet patch on the floor. Its grey rubber mats so I notice marks easily but i'll check.

mkirkby

unixgirluk wrote: »

Thanks mkirkby. I'll check levels when I get back to station tonight (too dark this morning and my driveway is on a hill). How do i check for a blockage (sorry if I'm being thick)? And is there a webpage etc that explain how to do a back flush of the cooling system? I don't mind doing this myself.

http://www.etyres.co.uk/consumer-information/flush-radiator-coolant.htm
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/820.aspx (mx5 but same principle)

"It is worth the effort to back flush the radiator, this needs both hoses to be removed. Water flows from top to bottom of the raiator, so pop a garden hose into the bottom hose opening on the radiator.Use gentle pressure from the hosepipe. "

Do you know anyone with basic mechanical skills? Together you should be able to figure it out but don't do anything till you check the level of the coolant and confirm you're not loosing any.

Yolina

unixgirluk wrote: »

Sorry if it was a daft question

Who cares? No need to apologise. I should have worded things better anyway!

red_eye

unixgirluk wrote: »

Can anyone help please? I'm hoping this is an easy fix as this car (which was my Grandpa's) has cost me about 2k so far. The ECU went on it summer last year and has been replaced and thermostat this summer.

Now, last night when I drove to get OH I got stuck in traffic on the motorway. Stop, start, stop, start for 12 miles. I noticed the temp needle climbing when it got to about 90ish (mine seems to sit about 85, though I've been told this is low) I turned on the blowers to vent some heat (and warm me up as I was freezing) this seemed to work. I picked OH up and we drove home, the temp had been climbing again but I hadn't noticed. The needle got to 100 and the STOP light came on. I turned the ignition off left it a few seconds and turned it on again and it seemed ok. The engine fan was still running after I turned the engine off, for a few minutes.

This morning she started no problem, temp started to climb so I turned on the blowers, my journey is only 5 miles. The blowers were blowing freezing cold air but temp guage came back down.

Too dark to check coolant levels and oil this morning. I noticed a chemically smell this morning though. I'll check levels tonight. Any ideas? I can't afford a new car at the moment.

might be the thermostat again. does the rad fan com on at all? it should come on around half way on the temp gauge

Norman_Castle

It did have all its levels checked early summer when it was in for its service but I'll be honest its not been checked since as I've not dones a lot of mileage

Early summer?. I checked a friends car this weekend. Checked the fluids. Topped up the clutch fluid and washer bottle. Looked for loose battery leads and anything loose, leaking or odd. Checked the tyres and added 6psi to all four with a footpump. This took 15 minuets including washing my hands. If you do this once a month you will spot faults early, your car will be less likely to break down and you will save money.

Uniscots97

Thank you to all who replied. I checked the levels when I got back to the car (and yes I will be doing this on a more regular basis as it will save me money and grief!). The oil was fine but the coolant seemed low but on minimum but it worried me there was a bubble on the surface. I drove it round to a garage near where I used to do volunteer work. It was air lock (giving me a false level, mkirkby you were right), they opened the valve and released the air, they've topped up the system to keep me going and explained how to flush the system. Which I'll be doing this weekend. And they didn't charge me for their time. I know I've been lucky as it could have been much worse! Thank you for everyone's help it is appreciated.

Quinny_2

The chemical smell that you mentioned could well be a leaking heater matrix, very very common on Xsaras, (We have one) and the smell is the anti freeze. It will manifest itself as a very small leak, which won't be noticable by the drop in water level straight away.

In order for the carpet to feel damp, you have to press it very hard, and it's always on the passenger side.

The changing of a heater matrix on a Xsara is a big job if it is leaking, but you could, if you wanted to, put a sealant in as a temporary measure. Some say don't use the stuff as it can cause further problems but we have done just that about 2 months ago, and so far so good. We used K-Seal.