Citroen Xsara Picasso - Help, Please...

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Wed 5 Jun 2013 19:05
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Help, Please... - tezza12

Hi all, I purchased a Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.8l Petrol 02 plate with 87,000 miles on the clock about 5 weeks ago. I paid £1295 from a used car garage. Now it wasnt perfect, a little scruffy it had no parcel shelf in the back and no interior mirror, and the passenger wing mirror was cable tied on and the front drivers fog bezel was missing, but i thought thats ok i can do these bits myself. The engine looked clean with no signs of oil leakage and all the electrics seemed to work ok. So to cut a long story short these are the worrying problems ive got.

As said ive had for about 5 weeks, and ive put in 6 (yes 6) litres of oil, Im 99% confident its not leaking and i am 99% its burning, sometimes when pulling away or changing gear there is a little cloud left behind me, Now ive read that 1.8l Petrol picasso's can be abit juicy on the oil and use upto 1 litre per 600 miles, Problem ive got is ive put in 6 litres and only done 600 miles, What is going on, whats wrong and what can i do... Is it expensive.

Also out of the blue as in 1 minute it was working the next it was not the A/C and the blower have both stopped working.

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Thu 6 Jun 2013 09:37
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Help, Please... - oldtoffee

I'm not technical so can't help with any analysis or solution but to answer your question is it expensive, yes it could well be, if the engine is shot a fitted reconditioned engine will be around £1,000 and if the AC needs repairing, another £200 or more. Sounds like the previous owner/s didn't look after it too well by the way you describe the bits. Its fair to assume it hasn't been properly serviced or maintained which could explain the faulty AC and burning oil problems. Did it have any service history and did the garage service it for you before you bought it?

If I was you I'd waste no time and just take it back to the garage and politely but firmly ask for your money back. The car is clearly faulty in a big way. You have consumer rights and the garage has obligations. Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau who will clarify exctly what your rights are so you can negotiate with the garage from a position of informed knowledge. Make a note of who you speak to at the garage and you should also write to them saying you're rejecting the car having sought legal advice. They might cave and give you your money back or most of it less maybe an amount for the time you've owned it. If that amount was say 10% your £1295 I'd bite their hand off as haggling with the garage, getting technical reports done and paid for, time off the road, more oil purchases will cost you time and money.

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Thu 6 Jun 2013 14:48
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Help, Please... - galileo

If your engine is using 1 litre per 100 miles it is definitely worn out. (56 miles per pint in old money!)

In the sixties when oil was cheap and engines more tolerant, it was reasonably ok to run them until they used about 1 pint (3/5 litre) per 200 miles, at which stage a rebore was recommended.

Even cheap oil now must be £6 per litre, so that is 6p per mile on top of all other running costs.

Try to get your money back.

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Thu 6 Jun 2013 21:10
Citroen Xsara Picasso - Help, Please... - Cyd

Sounds like the rings and bores are shot.

If I were you I'd press the garage for your money back.

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