1998 Citroen C1 Failing head gasket

Tiny
MILOPANTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CITROEN C1
Engine Cooling problem
1998 Citroen C1 Front Wheel Drive Manual 55000 miles

I have a Citroen Saxo 1.1 car and I recently noticed water leaking from the radiator. When I opened the cap to put more water in there was this gooey stuff on the cap. I took it to the garage we use regularly (they are really nice people there and have always been very honest and fair with us) and they had a look at it. They said the head gasket was failing and that it would cost around £600 to replace. I haven't got that sort of money to spend on the repair and I can't afford to buy a new car so they said that the good thing was that there didn't seem to be water in the oil and that I could continue to drive it as long as I drove it sensibly and checked the oil and water regularly. They said I should always keep a bottle of water in the car, try not to exceed 60mph and try not to get stuck in traffic jams which would cause the engine to overheat. Can you please advise me as to whether you think I should try and find the cash to get it fixed as it has a relatively low milage for it's age or should I just keep driving it until it gives up the ghost?
Friday, August 1st, 2008 AT 6:43 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

if you drive it till it fails the repair bill could exceed the cost of the fix it now price, so it is really up to you, I would be trying to get it repaired now.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 1st, 2008 AT 6:49 AM
Tiny
MILOPANTS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok, thanks for that. Do you think the price I have been quoted for this repair is a fair price? Also, do you think I should be spending this sort of money on a 10 year old car or should I think about putting the money towards something newer?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 1st, 2008 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

If the car is in generally good condition and it is what you are happy with in a car, spend the money, but if you feel that you may wish to up grade to something a bit newer now, the money would be better spent on an updated car, you will just have to sit down and consider what you want and make your decision that way.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 1st, 2008 AT 8:50 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links