Losing coolant issue - 2013 diesel model

Questions specifically about a Diesel powered C3 (usually engine or fuel related problems)
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My Name: colinstrong

Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:45 am
Model: C3 Picasso
Year: 2013 (13)
Engine Size: 1.6 (16v)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Mileage: 120000
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)

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I have a c3 picasso that I am struggling to suss out what the problem is, this is what happens - Start off with enough coolant in the header tank, drive the car, coolant light stays on cold for about 2 miles then goes off, the more you drive it the hotter it seems to get in the car even with the heating off, check the coolant and the level drops, wait for it to cool down and then undo the header tank cap and the coolant comes back into the tank. The missus uses the car for work and drives it all day and regularly checks the coolant level and it doesn't seem to lose any during the day. Leave the car overnight and it has a pool of water underneath the car. Put some more coolant in the header tank and repeat. Had the AA out a couple of times, first time they found a worn though water pipe in the back of the engine and sorted it out by putting a fix in the pipe then the second time they said about replacing the header tank, replaced the header tank and had a problem with the clip on the hose that attaches to the bottom of the header tank and had to use a hose from a later model to get the clip end. Doesn't look like there is any water in the oil in the engine but looks like there is a small amount of oil coming into the header tank. Any help or pointers would be appreciated as I am currently scratching my head and the missus is getting annoyed with it!!
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My Name: C3driver52

Guru
Posts: 2012
Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:40 pm
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2003 (03)
Engine Size: 1.4 i
Fuel Type: Petrol
Mileage: 79984
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Engine name: TU3 (75 PS)
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colinstrong wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2019 1:28 pm I have a c3 picasso that I am struggling to suss out what the problem is, this is what happens - Start off with enough coolant in the header tank, drive the car, coolant light stays on cold for about 2 miles then goes off, the more you drive it the hotter it seems to get in the car even with the heating off, check the coolant and the level drops, wait for it to cool down and then undo the header tank cap and the coolant comes back into the tank. The missus uses the car for work and drives it all day and regularly checks the coolant level and it doesn't seem to lose any during the day. Leave the car overnight and it has a pool of water underneath the car. Put some more coolant in the header tank and repeat. Had the AA out a couple of times, first time they found a worn though water pipe in the back of the engine and sorted it out by putting a fix in the pipe then the second time they said about replacing the header tank, replaced the header tank and had a problem with the clip on the hose that attaches to the bottom of the header tank and had to use a hose from a later model to get the clip end. Doesn't look like there is any water in the oil in the engine but looks like there is a small amount of oil coming into the header tank. Any help or pointers would be appreciated as I am currently scratching my head and the missus is getting annoyed with it!!
Hi colinstrong

Do a Diesel head gasket test - using this kit before any further work to save yourself time.

Let us know what the results of the head gasket test are and take it from there :)
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My Name: colinstrong

Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2019 10:45 am
Model: C3 Picasso
Year: 2013 (13)
Engine Size: 1.6 (16v)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Mileage: 120000
Trim Level: VTR+
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)

Post

Ok, so test kit brought and used, liquid stayed the same colour as it when went in. So if its right then a massive relief that I dont have to disassemble half the engine :D yaahhh! So what could be the problem?? Cheers
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My Name: C3CAR

Guru
Posts: 2741
Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 10:01 am
Model: C3 2002-2005, Original shape model
Year: 2002 (02)
Engine Size: 1.4 (16v)
Fuel Type: Diesel
Mileage: 140000
Trim Level: Exclusive
Gearbox: Manual 5 speed
DPF: No
LHD or RHD: RHD (UK)
Engine name: DV4 16-valve diesel (90 PS)
Has thanked: 198 times
Been thanked: 106 times

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C3driver52 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:07 pm Leave the car overnight and it has a pool of water underneath the car.
You can place a container under to catch the liquid.

Then you can see if it is actually coolant (by its colour, not its taste ;) ).

If it is coolant, you have a leak.

If its not coolant, then you may still have a leak, but this isn't it. This can help narrow things down a bit.

You may have some air trapped in the cooling system, some of them bleed themselves quite well, some don't at all.

My was forward, after all the odd fixes and no a head gasket fault is to fully drain down the coolant and refill correctly, follow these filling instructions for the C3 to ensure the air is expelled when refilling. Find any bleed points that will help ensure all the air is removed.

While the cooling system is drained it would pay to change the thermostat at the same time. That way you know it's been done and bled correctly :)
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