Citroen C3 1.4 16v HDI 2003 - Leaking coolant?

fridgeracer

Hi all,

I checked the engine of my car and on one of the thick cooling pipes that ends at the bonnett of the car there is a wet patch of black looking grease it seems. I touched it and it is black and a bit sticky.

Is this a problem? Does anyone have experience of this? I will also note that i think the heater plug is gone because from cold in the morning the car does not start until after trying with ignition for about 30 seconds. Some light smoke comes out the back when it does eventually start and then after engine is on for 1 min the smoke is gone and does not puff out smoke when accelerating (my dad checked as i drove off up the road)

Splott

Probably just needs the hose clamp nipping up

mattyprice4004

Could it be a turbo boost hose, and not a coolant hose?

Either way, nip the clamp up a turn or 2.

forgotmyname

Looks oily not like coolant.

And as above it does look like thats the turbo intercooler, Its a bit small
for a radiator. Check its on properly, there are no cracks in the plastic.

And befoire you nip the clip up check its not been overtightened and
caused a split in the pipe.

fridgeracer

wooww.... wait...

my car has a turbo?

really? 1.4 litre 16v at low enough emissions to be £30 a year road tax WITH a turbo? holy crap if that's true this is the best value car ever, haha!

anyway, i don't know. i felt around it and didnt feel any cracks, and the tie is pretty tight / solidly on.

however i did shine the torch under the top black engine cover - i didnt take it off, i just shined it onto the small gap underneath it and i can see the exact same kind of black stuff all over the engine there.

ive been told by someone else that since it is a 10 yr old car and the engine has been as it is ever since new - i.e. never been cleaned, that it might be air pollution mixed with condensation? is that true? i have just never had an engine that is got this stuff around parts of it. ive always had a bone dry engine no matter how old it is or how much its been driven - so naturally this worries me.

in any case i have it being looked at by citroen tomorrow morning. they will be able to tell me exactly why it doesnt start immediately as expected from cold / in morning and will check this black stuff.

im really hoping the black stuff is paranoia and nothings wrong, and that they can just fix whatever is causing it to not start under my warranty.

i will let you all know when i find out.