Onslow's gone French.

[bub2006]

That is a real common fault on those 16 valve PSA lumps. They really piss oil out as well. I did one a couple of years ago and it did start leaking again recently which sent it over the bridge as it had a load of other issues.

Yes it's certainly left it's mark. 140 quid for a top end gasket set and new stretch bolts plus a friendly mechanic means it's certainly worth fixing compared to what's available.

[paulplom]

That's a pisser though.

[DodgeRover]

What a bugger, I take it ignoring it and putting a nappy underneath wasn't an option?

[bub2006]

Not really. I like the car though. 43 ish mpg around town isn't bad at all and it's damn comfy.
We landed and got home around 5 ish. By 630 I was getting stuck in and by 8 the head was off. All manifold bolts came off easy. Head gasket was fucked. The centre metal rings around each bore came off in one piece and the paper outer came off in another. Lots of corrosion on the gasket around the water ways and two pistons looked suspiciously clean. Never lost much coolant though and never shown HG fail symptoms except it didn't like hills. Didn't feel as peppy as I thought a vvt should either but hey ho.
Really didn't need to be spending £260 on a top end set and another cambelt kit though on the day I get home.
Regards cambelt kit,it had a new kit back in June. It's always had a slight whine too. The manufacturer of said kit said go to supplier,supplier states not their fault and they send off for tearing to identify fault and if fault is found a refund will be issued. Place bets now if I Will see any return.

[FhakeConcern]

I had a (well ok three) C4 VTS petrol with the ew10j4s engine, I've no idea how that relates to the engine in yours. However one of the many parts I replaced trying to get the most recent one sorted out was the VVT solenoid as they are known to fail. The problem turned out to be the timing out by one tooth, but the point is I have the perfectly good old solenoid somewhere, so if it happens to be the same part on your car, you can have it, if I can find it

[bub2006]

Thank you. I'm unsure if the solenoids are the same but mines the 1.4 et3 engine. Vvt on inlet side. I wouldn't mind a go in the more sporting cars,the chassis seems rather well sorted even on a base spec 5 door like mine.

[FhakeConcern]

Yeh they are good fun as they rev really high and have the funky dash where the rev counter glows red at the red limit

Not sure if the link will work

[bub2006]

Yeh they are good fun as they rev really high and have the funky dash where the rev counter glows red at the red limit

Not sure if the link will work

They all do the rev counter flash thing. Mines a pov spec LX that doesn't even have AC but flashes red at high rpm. .

[bub2006]

Was yours the 180 bhp model? I'm sure that engine was replaced by the 1.6 turbo that wasn't half as reliable.

[christine]

Red ==Imminent engine damage