Citroën C15 problems (1984–2005)

PSA 1.4 TU3 and 1.6 TU5 (motores TU, 8v and 16v) · Petrol

Verdict for the versions it uses

• TU9 1.0 and TU1 1.1 (954 and 1,124 cc, 45-60 hp, 1986-2014)1986–2014 · 45–60 hp · TU9ML/Z, TU1M/Z, TU1M+, TU1JP

  With caution

  Owner reports on the Saxo and 106 place the cylinder head gasket as the most frequently cited fault in the 1.1s (14 out of 89 reports on the Saxo 1.1 and 16 out of 84 on the 106 1.1), and it also appears in the 1.0s (from around 70,000 km in the 106). L'Argus recommends the 60 hp 1.1 as a good choice in the 106, so check the gasket and the coolant before buying.^[6][7][8]

• TU3 1.4 75 hp 8v (TU3JP/TU3KFX, 1994-2014)1994–2014 · 75 hp · TU3JP, TU3KFX

  Buy

  It is the simplest version, with the least electronics in the whole family: with no turbo or direct injection, its most cited faults according to owners (coil, sensors) are cheap to repair and do not compromise the engine if dealt with in time.^[1][2]

Faults that affect the C15

1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockHead gasket damaged after overheatingThe head gasket fails mainly as a consequence of previous overheating -from a coolant leak or a faulty thermostat- and not as a factory defect: it appears in a minority of engines, almost always between 30,000 and 180,000 km, with coolant loss, emulsified oil or white smoke.Appears at around 30,000 km
2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonIgnitionIgnition coils that fail and cause jerkingThe ignition module -a rail with two twin coils, no distributor- is the electrical fault owners cite most across all models with this engine: it usually fails between 40,000 and 150,000 km and causes jerking, an unstable idle or the engine warning light coming on.Appears at around 40,000 km
3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingThermostat stuck open or closedThe thermostat -the controlled "calorstat" on the more recent versions- can stick: if it closes, the engine overheats; if it stays open, it is slow to reach temperature and uses more fuel. It is one of the cooling faults owners of these engines cite most.
4. Low severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsSensors that fail: lambda sensor and temperature sensorThe lambda sensor and the coolant temperature sensor are, along with the coils, the components most cited as faulty: they cause an unstable idle, the engine warning light coming on or a cooling fan that does not behave normally.Appears at around 25,000 km
5. Low severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leak from the rocker cover gasketThe rocker cover gasket dries out with the years and lets oil seep into the spark plug wells: besides the oil stain on the engine, it can soak the spark plugs or the ignition module and cause misfires.Appears at around 120,000 km

C15 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5 pageAll versions and faults of the 1.4 and 1.6 TU3/TU5

PSA 1.8 D and 1.9 D de inyección indirecta (XUD7, XUD9 and DW8) · Diesel

Verdict for the versions it uses

• 1.8 D 58-60 hp (XUD7, until 2000)1984–2000 · 58–60 hp · XUD7, A9A

  With caution

  Very little published data exists on this engine: fiches-auto records only two reviews of the Partner 1.8 D. It shares its architecture with the 1.9 D, so the same points to watch apply (cylinder head gasket, oil leaks, injection pump).^[12][13]

• 1.9 D 69-72 hp (DW8: WJY, WJZ and DW8B, 1999-2005)1999–2005 · 69–72 hp · DW8, WJY, WJZ, DW8B

  With caution

  There is little DW8-specific data: on fiches-auto the Berlingo 1.9 D 70 has 7 reviews on consumption or oil leaks and 5 on the timing system out of 54, and Caradisiac flags the risk of the accessory belt breaking on 1999 Berlingos.^[14][15]

Faults that affect the C15

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) has 4 documented faults in total.

1. High severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockDamaged cylinder head gasket and cylinder head on the 1.9 D and TDCaradisiac cites occasional cylinder head gasket failures, and sometimes cylinder head failures, from 100,000 km on the 1.9 D and TD of the early 306s, and rare cases on the 406 1.9 TD up to July 1997. Owners place them between 190,000 and 250,000 km.
2. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil seepage from the sump gasketCaradisiac cites a light oil sweat from the sump gasket around 70,000 km on the non-HDi 306 diesels and on the four-cylinder 406 diesels with air conditioning, and considers it harmless. Oil consumption and leaks also appear in reviews of the Berlingo, 206, Xsara and 306.Appears at around 70,000 km

C15 1.9 D (XUD and DW8) pageAll versions and faults of the 1.9 D (XUD and DW8)