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Just bought a C6 (and already found a few problems) |
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Sevenman
 
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   Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
Greetings all, I am a new C6 owner, having had the car for just a few days now. It is a 2008 2.7 Lignage with 97k miles. I had been toying with the idea of replacing my trusty Mk3 Mondeo with something more relaxing and quieter for the long drives I do with work, and the C6 seemed to fit the bill, as well as being a bit different. I need something dependable, but I like to stay on top of maintenance, and I am sure the C6 is good when well looked after. My other car is a TVR Tamora for sunny days, so I thought this would make an interesting 2 car garage. My wife is not sold on the car, and most of my friends are negative about it, but that just encouraged me further. Following a long test drive of a C6 being sold privately, I was impressed with the smoothness and comfort so put in an offer and the car was with me on Sunday. The rear spoiler had stuck up, which the seller said had only happened that day (and was down in the pictures). This car was at the lower end of the C6 price range, but it has FSH with Citroen specialists, recent large bills for front struts and alternator, and a new and clean MOT. The lower price gives me a bit of a cushion for a few bills. After collection I took it to a French car specialist close to me who plugged it into the Lexia diagnostics, and it seemed to be clean, although he noted that the tyre pressure sensors were deactivated (and replaced with rubber valves). Apparently this is quite common? We also got the boot spoiler moving through application of silicone lubricant (the Lexia can then make it go up and down), and the driver's door mirror moving smoothly using the same. When driving away, I got a frost warning and noticed the outside temp sensor was reading -4C (on a warm day). When driving today it was a bit cooler and on -10C (see pic below). My final surprise after leaving the car a few days was a flat battery. It had only been for a couple of short journeys which won't have helped, but still unexpected. The battery seems to be the original Citroen battery and is dated June 2008, so it could be well past its best. Given the bills say the alternator was changed, the battery is likely to have been flattened in the past which can damage them. After some charging I got it running and went for a good drive this evening where I was again impressed with the comfort and quietness. Classical music in the car is now an option, which it wasn't in the Mondeo. But I am having to turn the temp to min to get cool air (probably because it thinks it is -10C outside), which means the air con won't be running and has probably lost its gas. And, when I returned home, the boot spoiler was stuck up again  Not really the start I was hoping for, and either these things have cropped up suddenly or the seller wasn't being too open. I have had a look at the help threads, and there are aspects covering my issues of battery, spoiler and temperature sensor, although I welcome any other advice and pointers. Changing the temp sensor looks fiddly with the new to dismantle the mirror. It doesn't seem to be the greatest start, and given the battery, issue it is lucky I haven't sold my other car yet. I am hoping for happy motoring, so hopefully there aren't other things lurking and this can get sorted out. Test drive - spoiler stuck up (as it is now)  Outside temp - it is more like +10C, not -10C  I quite like the black leather 
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mtee
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 Member No: #1924
Location: Kuopio |
Did you touch the wiper switch after turning off ignition? This raises the windscreen wipers and spoiler to maintenance mode, providing access for cleaning and other service actions. | ||
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Sevenman
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Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
mtee wrote ... Did you touch the wiper switch after turning off ignition? This raises the windscreen wipers and spoiler to maintenance mode, providing access for cleaning and other service actions. I don't think so, I am fairly sure the wipers didn't go up when I stopped. It is going to visit the local Citroen specialist on Monday, he can use the Lexia to get it to move up and down to see how it is behaving. Will also get some electrical checks. Given the new alternator at the end of September, hopefully a simple battery change will fix the starting problem. Temperature sensor looks fiddly, but also seems a £10 component could fix it (unless the problem is elsewhere). Keen to start clocking up the miles when I have the niggles sorted. Don't think I have seen another C6 on the roads around here (Malvern). |
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e3steve
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  Member No: #1163
Location: Warsash, Hants & Palma de Mallorca, Spain |
 to the asylum, Gavin! You're going to need at least a steel pair (in a Kevlar scrotum) for a few weeks, after which you may wish to have them surgically replaced with a couple made from titanium...Outside temp If you apply a hand to the sensor, is there any change on the display? Battery From my experiences as a marine electrical & electronics engineer, a 2008 battery is certainly going to be past its best. Seven years in an automotive environment is neither uncommon nor exceptional, but its time nigh, I'd say. Do you have access to a voltmeter? A simple initial check of the battery's terminal voltage before the first start of the day -- 12.7V+ -- then with the engine at idle immediately after starting -- 13-14V -- will prove the state of health. Less than 12.5V before starting, on the day after a running the engine for an hour or so, would be a telltale sign of self-discharge (sulphated cells) and the need for replacement. I'd recommend an appropriate Varta 'Silver'; 5-year warranty. Is the engine always slow to crank? That could be indicative of a failing starter motor! Looks like a lovely example. Good luck; the C6 is a lovely car to own & drive!! |
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Trainman
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  Member No: #86
Location: Penwortham |
Gavin The spoiler would return to the normal position when you drive off again, once you reach about 10 - 15mph. they are prone to to sticking and there are many threads on here about what to do........ Battery replacement wise, I'd look at a good quality one, don't forget the battery is in the boot on the left hand side, behind the felt paneling which need to be 'moved' out of the way to replace the battery. |
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Tjensen
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 Member No: #954
Location: Bergen |
Sounds like a Nice car ! New battery when you buy a used car is normal, try to get 100 Ah and 800CCA. The car is electricity hungry !!! Temperature sensor should be changed as soon as possible (had that on my XM) and maybe thats all !! | ||
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cruiserphil
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 Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Smashing looking car. And look at all the helpful guidance you've got. Remeber too you're car is 7 years old and there will be items that will come up for rework. Best regards, Phil C. P.S. Might be worth changing the coolant outlet tank at this stage if I hasn't been done! |
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Sevenman
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Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
Thanks all for the advice and welcome. I haven't tried the hand on sensor test, but it was -4C on a warmish day and then down to -12C on a cooler day after dark, so perhaps it is showing T-20 or similar. I read a good thread on batteries, and as far as I am concerned the bigger the better, so I will follow the recommendations. 2 other quick questions: - I haven't seen a glow plug light appear on the few drives so far, is that normal? A thread suggested it only appeared when very cold. - The handbrake doesn't seem to have an auto release when driving off (e.g. after putting it on in traffic). Is it designed like that? Thanks again 
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Cisco
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 Member No: #1429
Location: Glasgow |
Glow plug light only comes on in mine sub zero. Only saw it a few times. BTW be careful opening the doors when frozen as glass may not retract properly. My handbrake does not release automatically on throttle. I was never sure if it is supposed to as I had seen some references to it in forum posts. But there is nothing (that I saw) in the owners manual. Plus there are no h/brake faults showing on Diagbox. Nice car, good luck with it
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Tjensen
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Member No: #954
Location: Bergen |
Glow plug light not often on and for a very short time in normal cold weather. Glowplug status can be checked on Lexia (error messages), Quite normal to change them after some years. No auto function on handbrake. Change battery soon, old battery makes the starter turn slow and long, not good for bearings. Low voltage also produce hailstorms of errors. If new battery is not making starting a quick thing (after fully charging the new one), check the starter. So far, you may have no unusual or expensive problems ! | ||
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magicands
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  Member No: #1021
Location: Coventry, Warwickshire |
You have to lift and hold the hand brake switch whilst accelerating for it to release, as I recall? | ||
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Sevenman
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Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
e3steve wrote ... to the asylum, Gavin! You're going to need at least a steel pair (in a Kevlar scrotum) for a few weeks, after which you may wish to have them surgically replaced with a couple made from titanium...Thanks, I am hoping that just steel will do, Titianium is associated with saving a few grams in weight, and that isn't what the C6 is about. e3steve wrote ... Outside temp If you apply a hand to the sensor, is there any change on the display? Not managed the hand test, but the display has changed with outside temp. -4C on a warm day -12C on a cool evening -24C on a cold, nearly frosty morning. So I guess the sensor is doing something, but its resistance is perhaps too high, so it thinks it is colder than reality. Replacement sensors seem to be from £9 for generic parts to £28 for the official part. I also need to invest in some soldering stuff and heat shrink if I am going to do the repair myself. I used to do electronics, but it has been a few years. And hope I can glass off etc. without breaking anything. e3steve wrote ... Battery From my experiences as a marine electrical & electronics engineer, a 2008 battery is certainly going to be past its best. Seven years in an automotive environment is neither uncommon nor exceptional, but its time nigh, I'd say. Do you have access to a voltmeter? A simple initial check of the battery's terminal voltage before the first start of the day -- 12.7V+ -- then with the engine at idle immediately after starting -- 13-14V -- will prove the state of health. Less than 12.5V before starting, on the day after a running the engine for an hour or so, would be a telltale sign of self-discharge (sulphated cells) and the need for replacement. I do have a voltmeter. After charging for a few hours on Friday and then a 25 min drive Friday evening, it was 12.5V this morning. it is back on the charger. I haven't measured voltage with the engine running, but will do so tomorrow.  e3steve wrote ... I'd recommend an appropriate Varta 'Silver'; 5-year warranty. Is the engine always slow to crank? That could be indicative of a failing starter motor! On the few drives I have done, it has been slow to start. Culminating in not starting. I would like to go for the largest possible. See the pics below, the stock Citroen / Peugeot battery is a mighty 95 Ah and 950CCA.    This Varta Blue Dynamic battery seems to be used by some people, but fewer CCA. - Click Here - Or these Silver ones come up as suitable for the C6 and have the highest CCA. Nothing available with 950, but maybe Citroen can supply. - Click Here - - Click Here - |
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Sevenman
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Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
Tjensen wrote ... Temperature sensor should be changed as soon as possible (had that on my XM) and maybe thats all !! I hope that is all - for now  I am guessing the outside temp sensor is affecting how the climate control is working. If I can get the parts, then should be able to have a go at it next weekend.cruiserphil wrote ... Smashing looking car. And look at all the helpful guidance you've got. Remember too you're car is 7 years old and there will be items that will come up for rework. Thanks, and I appreciate the fact there is a good forum and community for these cars. I am setting aside a fair bit of budget for servicing and maintenance, but it is a car I will be relying on for transport, so hopefully if I keep on top of everything it will repay me. Just a bit disappointing to buy it with 'no faults' and then find a few things need doing right away. cruiserphil wrote ... P.S. Might be worth changing the coolant outlet tank at this stage if I hasn't been done! Thanks for the advice. Not one I have heard of... I will do a bit of research and can then get it done at the next service. |
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C6Dave
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 Member No: #1
Location: Northumberland |
Citroen can supply and fit the correct battery under 'Fixed Price Repairs' for £110 - Click Here - CCA is important in cold weather and the wrong size battery in a C6 can cause all sorts of issues. |
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Sevenman
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Member No: #2241
Location: Herefordshire |
e3steve wrote ... Outside temp If you apply a hand to the sensor, is there any change on the display? Yes. Tried it today for 30s when I was taking the car off charge. Temperature went from -25C to -11C over that period. Hopefully this means that a change of sensor will do the trick. Just need to make sure I do it in a well soldered and weatherproof way if making the connections inside the mirror. |
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