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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2547.0. "Citreon AX oil/engine problem" by ULYSSE::GALLACHER () Mon Sep 09 1996 11:12

I think I've got a serious problem with my poor Citreon AX. It's in the garage,
but can anyone give me some advice as to what it might be and how serious?  

I'd been driving about 20 minutes and the oil light starting flashing on when 
I changed gear. The engine got *really* hot - smoke etc, but the oil level was 
normal. I had to get the car back home, and the same thing happened again, 
although once the engine cooled it started no problem. Could it something as 
simple as a blockage somewhere?

It's a G reg, by the way with quite high mileage. I only bought it recently and
had an AA report done it which said it was fine. Is there any comeback?

thanks for any help,
Linda

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2547.1FORTY2::PALKAMon Sep 09 1996 12:0015
    Could be a blocked (or incorrectly fitted) oil filter.
    Could be a defective oil pump.
    Could be a cooling system problem (If the engine gets too hot then
    the oil will get very thin, and oil pressure will fall off when
    the engine speed is low).
    
    It will almost certainly need new oil, and might as well have a new
    filter. Check that the cooling system is working, maybe flush the
    cooling system.
    
    Then see if it happens again - allow it to warm up while stationary,
    check that the radiator is getting warm, see that the cooling fan
    starts and stops etc.
    
    Andrew
2547.2WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Mon Sep 09 1996 13:305
    
    Also, are you sure the oil level was normal ? it takes quite while
    after stopping the engine for the dipstick to show the correct level.
    
    Graham
2547.3thanks...ULYSSE::GALLACHERMon Sep 09 1996 14:3417
Hello,

thanks for the quick replies - hmmm, I think the cooling system could be the 
problem! Now I think about it, the fan was coming on after very short journeys.
The oil light flashed on and off when I changed gear down in traffic and after 
about twenty minutes when the engine had had time to warm up. Is it significant
that it should flash when I changed gear, d'you think? The oil light didn't 
stay on.  

Well, I did check the oil about 15 minutes after I stopped the car, so the 
level may not have been correct, but I checked it about a week before and it 
was on the high side of the range. 

Thanks again for your help!

Linda
2547.4FORTY2::PALKAMon Sep 09 1996 15:2611
    re .3
    
    I would expect it to flash when you changed gear. That is when the
    engine speed drops to idle speed, so the oil pump is pumping less oil.
    The engine is also still hot, once it cools down the oil thickens
    sufficiently to keep the pressure up at idle speed.
    
    It could also be a head gasket, leaking into the cooling system. It
    should be fairly easy to find the problem.
    
    Andrew
2547.5WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Mon Sep 09 1996 16:536
    
    Now you mentioned the cooling problem, are you sure it was smoke ? If
    you're low on coolant it could be a head gasket problem, with the Oil
    pressure drop just being caused by increased temperature.
    
    Graham
2547.6TERRI::SIMONSemper in ExcernereMon Sep 09 1996 17:245
Blown a piston ring ???

I know I did.

Simon
2547.7ThermostatPGREEN::ROWEMFrank Gamballi's TrousersTue Sep 10 1996 13:295
    My wife had cooling probs with her AX, and it turned out to
    be a stuck thermostat.
    may be a good idea to get it changed, they're only a few quid.
    
    Matt
2547.8thanks...ULYSSE::GALLACHERTue Sep 10 1996 15:518
    
    hello all,
    
    thanks for your suggestions - I've put the car in a garage and should
    be finding out what the problem is this afternoon (I hope!)
    
    Linda
    
2547.9problem?CHEFS::GERRYTMon Sep 16 1996 14:095
2547.10Oil + Brake = ?WOTVAX::CARTER_AI've seen the TeapotMon Sep 23 1996 13:0015
2547.11WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Mon Sep 23 1996 14:117
2547.12WOTVAX::CARTER_AI've seen the TeapotMon Sep 23 1996 14:374
2547.13COMICS::CORNEJWhat's an Architect?Mon Sep 23 1996 15:188
2547.1442333::LESLIEAndy Leslie, sage sayings 2p a bagMon Sep 23 1996 15:452
2547.15up the life insurance on your wife !!!WOTVAX::HATTONMWaiting for JS to offer me a drive...Mon Sep 23 1996 17:201
2547.16Now there's a thought!WOTVAX::CARTER_AI've seen the TeapotTue Sep 24 1996 12:361