One year old Citroen C3 16v HDi. Had rear wheels off recently and noticed that there are damp marks from oil down the struts.
Only place this could have come from is the dampers themselves.
The dealer says they are fine and demonstrated the MOT 'bounce' test to me. My argument is that:
a) They should not be leaking at all.
b) If they are leaking now (as they are) then I will need to replace them sooner than I would normally need to. Possibly outside the warranty period.
Am I being unreasonable because the struts are apparently serviceable and are doing what they are supposed to do...at the moment.
Regards,
Alf
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Tricky one. They may have been 'overfilled' or are 'settling in'. As you have 2 more years guarantee, why not write to the garage and Citroen HQ and tell them you are monitoring the situation and if they deteriorate, you expect them to be replaced under the contract.
Then clean them off with white spirit and check for further leaks each 3 months. If they leek get them to have them changed.
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As far as I know, leaking dampers are an MoT fail - hence my mate's old dodge of smothering the suspension in Waxoyl before the test so the tester couldn't identify the leaks... I'd want this fixed, I think.
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I agree, my Mother had a car which failed the MOT for leaking dampers.
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Difficult one this. Some have said it's an MOT failure to have oily shocks, but on my old Cavalier with replacent adjustable Spax shocks all round, the rear ones always weeped a bit of oil. Went through 3 or 4 MOTs like it without any probs.
First thing I'd do is wipe off any oil currently there and see if it re-appears.
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Leaks seldom fix themselves. I would want these units replacing.
If dealer refuses them ask them to make a note in the service book along the lines of 'leaking dampers noted at XX miles. Date YYY'.
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I reckon they should be replaced. Try another dealer for a second opinion.
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Thanks for your thoughts guys, I'll ask him to change them, if he refuses, I'll get a second opinion at the next dealer, if still nojoy, I'll get original dealer to make a note in the service record.
Regards,
Alf
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I've known shocks to weep very very slightly over years with no ill effects, but with a new car under warranty, I would have thought that a dealer would not object to changing them to keep a customer happy if nothing else. It should be no skin off their nose - Citroen pays parts and labour - and shockers are usually fairly straightforward to fit. If you plan to keep the car beyond the warranty period (ie into MOT liability) then you would be well advised to press for this now.
Graeme
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alf
for your own peace of mind and to stop it nagging at your mind make them change them under warranty sress the safety issue with a failure of a shocker you could loose control of the car especialy on a bumpy road dont take the chance modern shocks do not leak
robertH(Bob)
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No, a slight weep under the bellows is acceptable.
Trust me.
--
groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
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