old banger (non fiat)

[quotethepigeon]

Ok so my girlfriend has just bought an old Citroen c3 to get to and from work and there's just a few niggles I'd like opinions on.... I get this is a fiat forum and I myself drive a fiat it's just the problems are pretty basic things.

1. There's a smell of vomit in the car and it's slowly getting worse. Any ideas?

2. Even over loooooong journeys the temp never reaches half way... Just under in fact.

3. Hot isn't too hot but pretty warm and cold isn't particularly cold. Air con needs refilling I think.


4.very slow coolant leak but no signs(apart from less coolant lol)

Could these all be related.... I get that it's an old car and they're cheap as chips but if it's fixable .....

Anyway your advice would be very much appreciated

 

[varesecrazy]

Ok so my girlfriend has just bought an old Citroen c3 to get to and from work and there's just a few niggles I'd like opinions on.... I get this is a fiat forum and I myself drive a fiat it's just the problems are pretty basic things.

1. There's a smell of vomit in the car and it's slowly getting worse. Any ideas?

2. Even over loooooong journeys the temp never reaches half way... Just under in fact.

3. Hot isn't too hot but pretty warm and cold isn't particularly cold. Air con needs refilling I think.


4.very slow coolant leak but no signs(apart from less coolant lol)

Could these all be related.... I get that it's an old car and they're cheap as chips but if it's fixable .....

Anyway your advice would be very much appreciated

Hi,
2,3,4 all COULD be Head Gasket

or including 1 could be a leaky heater matrix - check for damp carpets = stinky..

Charlie

 

[quotethepigeon]

thank you .... I think I'll be sensible n just scrap it.

It's already on 134k miles...

 

[varesecrazy]

thank you .... I think I'll be sensible n just scrap it.

It's already on 134k miles...

Id just use it til it dies then..

Were the carpets dry..??

 

[quotethepigeon]

yeah that'll be the plan now.

No , bone dry!!! Once it dies we can use this as an excuse to get another Panda lol.

 

[StevenRB45]

Now that you've said that it will infact live forever in the way only a car you truly hate can, sitting there safe in the knowledge if it breaks down you will be happy it will now run like a vomit smelling Swiss watch..

 

[Ralf S.]

1) Get some carpet shampoo and shampoo it.

Leave an air freshener in the car.. not the gay "Little Tree" or "Jelly Foot" style.. but a pukka air freshener block. Neutradol do a rather ferocious one that eliminates just about any odour that man or beast can produce:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-Neutr...770363&hash=item35ed7ed759:g:LpcAAOSwT6pVnrqk

2) Thermostat. End of discussion.


3) Hot isn't hot because of "Thermostat" (see #2 above). Cold isn't cold because the A/C is FUBAR. Switch to analogue (window or sunroof) until your local A/C place offers Free diagnostic checks. They might find a leak (stay on analogue) , or they might just find it needs a re-gas, in which case charge it up and see if/how long it works.

4) Are you using coolant?

Check the thermostat and around the pipes, particularly in and out of the radiator and the heater hoses (all inside the engine compartment). If you have a "leak" you'll see tell-tale stains here and there. If you have a leaky anywhere you need to remove the joint, clean it up and replace it. If the clips are loose, tighten them up and stick some silicone sealant into the clip threads just before final tightening up, to stop them vibrating loose.

Also check the water pump. If there's a leak on that side, you need a new waterpump pronto (plus cam-belt and tensioner). Maybe DIY it or sell the beast before it dies and lunches the moteur..

What state is the radiator? Go for a long drive, to get the beast properly hot. You'll probably need to idle it stationary for 5 or 10 minutes when you get back, to get the fan to come on, since your thermostat is shot and it won't heat up just driving along. Switch off and jack the beast up, then get your head under the radiator and look for any stains or wet "seepage" on/around the bottom few rows of the radiator and the hoses.


If you have a minor/can't trace it at all leak AND the radiator looks great, get some radiator sealant (e.g. Rad Weld) and treat the system. Once you have used the goo: the next weekend afterwards, drain the coolant completely (dispose of it down the waste recycling centre, not the drain), fit the new thermostat you bought and fill up with new 50% anti-freeze mix. You'll be proper sorted.


Ralf S.

 

[varesecrazy]

6 months on...

 

[quotethepigeon]

Sorry! Life got in the way and I barely have time for fun stuff like the forum.... Long story short she wrote the car off in an accident a couple of weeks after I posted .
Nobody was hurt and the insurance paid out way more than we got the car for so win win. Still haven't replaced it we are both using my panda at present.

Horribly tempted by a cactus ....