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[Tony H]

Hello everyone, TonyH junior drives a Citroen ZX 1.4, on checking the water today I noticed a bit of oil in the header tank,a bit of mayo on the water filler cap, which wasn't there at the weekend I suspect H.G failure . that said it still runs at it's normal temperature and there has been no noticeable loss in performance, nore is there any sign of mayo on the dip stick,or pressurisation of the cooling system
Has anyone had any experience of these cars? could anyone give me any pointers or advice? due to my sons lack of funds we are hoping to tackle this job ourselves, but its been a long time since I've changed a H.G. ( last one was a 2.0 Sierra) and engines have changed alot since then.
Thanks in advance Tony

[TheBoy]

Quite possibly is, but I don't know enough about the Citroen engines...

[Dazzler]

The real sure fire way to tell HG failure, is have the header tank sniffed at a local garage or M.O.T center, if you know any. Should only cost you a drink. Then you will know 100%.  

[TheBoy]

The real sure fire way to tell HG failure, is have the header tank sniffed at a local garage or M.O.T center, if you know any. Should only cost you a drink. Then you will know 100%.  

Thats not always conclusive, as Tunnie found out...

[Tony H]

The real sure fire way to tell HG failure, is have the header tank sniffed at a local garage or M.O.T center, if you know any. Should only cost you a drink. Then you will know 100%.  

I thought about that theres no smell of zort fumes in the header tank and if the H.G failure is from an oil way to a waterway fume would probably not be present :-/

[hotel21]

Hi Tony.  No direct experience of the Zx but (looking furtively over both shoulders before typing further) there are a number of checks which, taken together, can assist in a diagnosis.

1)  Cylinder compression test.  Not sure of correct procedure on this engine as reagrds shutting down fuel delivery etc but all cylinders should be to within 10% or better.
2)  Mayo on oil cap.
3)  Fumes in water header tank (but as a diesel, cannot be conclusive....)
4)  Radiator pressure test and leakdown. (depends if engine is 'dry' waterwise or if it has leaks elsewhere.  If its dry then, if under pressure, it looses water then the only place that water can potentially go is into the cylider bores.  Given the small 'squish' area on a diesel engine, take care that its not hydraulic locked when turning to start.  Look for white smoke (steam) on startup which soon fades.

Not definative, but a few pointers.  Best of luck!    

HtH

B

[Kevin Wood]

I would flush out the cooling system and refill and see if the mayo comes back. Might also be worth doing a compression check if you've got a tester handy. Other tests are to hold it at mid revs with the expansion tank cap off and see if any small bubbles emerge. Note that if you do this at full temperature it may well boil over, though, and this is normal. Do it wilth a coolish engine. Sounds like you just need to keep an eye on it at this stage. If it's the head gasket it will show more conclusive signs over then next few hundred miles.  

That's not a bad engine (Peugeot / Citroen TU?) and not too cluttered IIRC so I'd say a DIY change would be pretty simple and a good learning experience for TonyH Junior There may well be a few more sensors and gadgets to remove and replace but nothing that needs careful setting up other than the cam belt.

Kevin

[JamesV6CDX]

I did a HG on a Pug 306 1.4 once - exactly the same engine, and a peice of doddle to do. Parts are reasonable too...

[Markie]

...and a compression test kit is a doddle to use and peanuts to buy...may not conclusivley tell of head failure but will tell of "other issues"

[Tony H]

Thanks for the replies and advice everyone, looks like a bit of spanner twirling is in order