Citroën Xsara Picasso

The Citroen Xsara Picasso has been in production for 11 years since 1999. In 2006, he changed his name to Picasso. The reason is the appearance of a more modern Citroen C4 Picasso, built on the Citroen C4 platform. Although Picasso’s C4 was created as a successor to Xar Picasso, the latter lasted 4 years on the assembly line. The sales success, which exceeded all expectations of the French brand strategists, did not allow so easily to write off the real hit. 1,700,000 units for this segment is a great result. The main advantage of the car is a very spacious interior, including in the second row with three full-size seats.

Petrol engines

For eleven years under a short sloping hood Citroen Xara Picasso changed 6 power units. All of them had a temporary type of drive. Until 2005, the role of the base was assigned to a gasoline 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 1.6 liters of the TU series. Until 2000, he developed 90 hp, and after - 95 hp. The engine is quite dynamic, provided that the car is not fully loaded. This is probably the most reliable power unit in the range. At the same time, it is the only one that does not use hydraulic valve gap compensators. The interval of check and adjustment of the valve gap manufacturer does not indicate. However, this procedure should be performed after 150,000 km or earlier if the engine is noisier. In 2005, the 8-valve 1.6-liter engine replaced the more modern 16-valve with a pair of upper camshafts. He's pretty reliable, too. The engine received valve gap hydraulic compensators (from 600 rubles per unit), which sometimes became a source of problems. "Tied" pushers made cold starts difficult and made sounds similar to a sewing machine. 16-valve 1.6-liter engine displaced not only 8-valve unit of the same volume, but also the larger 16-valve 1.8 liter series EW. Some of its modifications suffer from high oil consumption, in which some blame the suffocated valve ossels, and others - the general wear of the engine. With cold start, problems occur even more often than with a 16-valve 1.6 liter. But in this case, the manufacturer is to blame for using too small hydraulic valve pushers. Until 2002 at 1.

Diesel engines

Diesel units in Citroen Xara Picasso used two. Until 2005, 2.0 HDi was installed with the first modification marked DW10TD. Although other models of the PSA concern widely used the 109-horsepower version, Picasso got a 90-horsepower version. However, a weaker diesel is preferable in the long run, as it does not use the more vulnerable and expensive components - a variable geometry turbocharger and a two-mass flywheel. The fuel supply here is handled by the old-style Common Rail with Bosch nozzles and an electric pump. And while mechanics speak well of the engine, owners have to deal with some of the vagaries of the fuel system from time to time. It all depends on the mileage. Fortunately, problems with a systematically failing pump in the tank (from 8000 rubles) and a pressure regulator of the high pressure pump Citroen eliminated during the production period. Both defects completely immobilized the car. In 2004, appeared 1. 6 HDi series DV6 first in the power option of 90 hp, and two years later, the output of 109 hp. The weaker version lacks a two-mass flywheel and has never been equipped with a particulate filter. The more powerful uses a two-mass flywheel and DPF filter (depending on the market). However, the threat is not the components mentioned, but the lubrication system, which slowly and purposefully destroys the engine. The oil pallet is designed so that even after removing all the contents, there is always half a liter of old oil.

Bodywork

Many people have heard that French cars are much more resistant to corrosion than rivals from Germany or Japan. The fact is that PSA has mastered the “galvanizing” already in the early 80s. But that doesn’t mean the French aren’t rusting at all. They just start doing it later, and usually in places that are not accessible to the eye. Therefore, when buying a Citroen Xsara Picasso, this aspect should be paid special attention. The sore spot is the thresholds. Unfortunately, even on the lift you are unlikely to notice corrosion. Rust is skillfully hidden under the outer layer of anticorrosion treatment. The dramatic dot is just behind the front wheel arches. For defects, you should use a sharp object - a stitch or a knife. If the blade enters like a knife into warm oil, you have found Picasso’s most vulnerable spot. Repair consists in removing the rotten section of the threshold and installing a new one. But modern cars, for safety reasons, have thresholds consisting of several parts. They differ not only in the shape and thickness of the sheet, but also in the composition of steel. If only the external part is damaged, then you will be able to get rid of a lining for 8 000 rubles. However, under the visible part hides a more rigid, which costs much more - almost 15 000 rubles. All together with the painting will pull 25-30 thousand rubles. The issue of thresholds is a hot topic in discussions of the owners of the Citroen Xar Picasso around the world. However, some lucky people are not familiar with the defect. The reason for the failure is getting under the slats of dirt, which accumulates moisture.

Suspension

The Citroen Xsara Picasso is the latest PSA car with torsion instead of the classic springs at the rear. A typical weak point of this design is needle bearings of the beam (about 1,000 rubles per piece), the replacement of which is difficult. Remake (from 12 000 rubles) includes a pair of bearings, a long screw, bushing and seals.

Problems with rear suspension are evidenced by wheels in the shape of the letter A (house). In addition, there should be no excess noise (knocking) and unstable behavior of the stern during maneuvers. Frequent full-load trips or towing of a trailer lead to the destruction of torsion, of which there are three in total.

Other problems

Among the often recurring minor defects, incorrect readings of the fuel meter can be noted. The reason is the corrosion of the potentiometer float in the tank. It changes with the pump. The manufacturer has modified the unit several times.

Petrol engines

• The interval of check and adjustment of the valve gap manufacturer does not indicate.
• However, this procedure should be performed after 150,000 km or earlier if the engine is noisier.
• The engine received valve gap hydraulic compensators (from 600 rubles per piece), which sometimes became a source of problems.
• Some of its modifications suffer from high oil consumption, in which some blame the suffocated valve ossels, and others - the general wear of the engine.
• With cold start, problems occur even more often than with a 16-valve 1.6 liter.
• The same problems, except for unstable idling due to the fault of a contaminated throttle, had a 2-liter unit, offered from 2003 to 2006.

Diesel engines

• Fortunately, problems with a systematically failing pump in the tank (from 8000 rubles) and a pressure regulator of the high pressure pump Citroen eliminated during the production period.
• Fortunately, experienced mechanics know that before closing the cork, you must first pour a little fresh oil, which will expel most of the old.
• The problem is that if you do not make such a procedure, then the sediment from the bottom of the crankcase clogs the oil intake.
• As a result, the pressure in the lubrication system drops, which leads to accelerated wear of the bearings of the turbocharger and the mechanism of the cylinder head. Among the characteristic problems 1.

Bodywork

• Many people have heard that French cars are much more resistant to corrosion than rivals from Germany or Japan.
• Therefore, when buying a Citroen Xsara Picasso, this aspect should be paid special attention. The sore spot is the thresholds.
• Unfortunately, even on the lift you are unlikely to notice corrosion.
• Rust is skillfully hidden under the outer layer of anticorrosion treatment.
• For defects, you should use a sharp object - a stitch or a knife.
• Repair consists in removing the rotten section of the threshold and installing a new one.
• The issue of thresholds is a hot topic in discussions of the owners of the Citroën Xar Picasso around the world.

Suspension

• A typical weak point of this design is needle bearings of the beam (about 1,000 rubles per piece), the replacement of which is difficult.
• Problems with the rear suspension are evidenced by wheels in the shape of the letter A (house).
• In addition, there should be no excess noise (knocking) and unstable behavior of the stern during maneuvers.

Other problems

• The reason is the corrosion of the potentiometer float in the tank. It's changing with the pump.

Citroen Xara Picasso is a well-deserved standard of the MPV class. If you want an inexpensive MPV, then Picasso is your choice. Unlike the more modern Citroen C4 Picasso, it has managed to avoid fatal and expensive problems. However, you should take into account the fact that the car was created in the 90s, so you should not ask too much of it.

• Gasoline engines: The engine received valve gap hydraulic compensators (from 600 rubles per unit), which sometimes became a source of problems.
• Diesel engines: Fortunately, problems with a systematically failing pump in the tank (from 8000 rubles) and a pressure regulator of the high pressure pump Citroen eliminated during the production period.
• Many people have heard that French cars are much more resistant to corrosion than competitors from Germany or Japan.
• Suspension: A typical weak point of this design is needle bearings of the beam (about 1,000 rubles per piece), the replacement of which is difficult.
• Other problems: The reason is the corrosion of the potentiometer float in the tank. It's changing with the pump.

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