Xsara Picasso owners - assistance pls

[scooters]

oioi....The Dowager Mrs Scooters owns one of these loathsome things... the aircon has just stopped working - you push the aircon button and you get a squealing noise from under the bonnet and no cold air..

 

Sounds like the pump is on the way out - question for those other xsara owners - could this be an indication that the serpentine belt is about to break due to a duff tensioner? The belt does seem a wee bit on the loose side but the car is charging ok - checked with multimeter. I do know that the aircon pump can be an issue but thought I'd just better check first as the old dear has to drive to that there London next week.

 

cheers

 

Scooters

[meggersdog]

A 15mm spanner to remove the belt then spin all the idlers.

Two months ago a friend came round with a 307 HDi .It was making a clattering noise until you put the air-con on then it squealed.I used a piece of string to measure around the pulleys bypassing the air-con pump.A trip to the now legendary Millfield Auto Parts procured a belt of the right length and I've not seen matey since it was fitted.

[trigger]

Have you checked the Alternator?

[ashmicro]

A 15mm spanner to remove the belt then spin all the idlers.

Two months ago a friend came round with a 307 HDi .It was making a clattering noise until you put the air-con on then it squealed.I used a piece of string to measure around the pulleys bypassing the air-con pump.A trip to the now legendary Millfield Auto Parts procured a belt of the right length and I've not seen matey since it was fitted.

 

This was the method employed by minicabbists round here on their non-Picasso Xsaras.

[ruffgeezer]

Scooter,

 

You don't mention what engine this thing has, if it is the 2.0 hdi, they are prone to shitting out the crank pulley as it is a damper design one with the rubber centre. Usually it fails completely and they sound like a bucket of Leyland in a cement mixer, however some of the pattern part replacements squeal when they give up the ghost.

 

So yeah, RHF wheel off, arch liner out, and have a look at the pulley if it looks like this it is well on its way to being knackered:

The ring of rust around middle is the indication of wear in the pulley

 

You should replace it soon as we've seen the metalwork come out of these and scamper off up the timing belt housing.

 

Does the A/c button light up when you push it? Can you hear the A/C compressor click in and out?

[scooters]

buggerations!

thanks amigos

 

sorry I should have said - it is a 1.6 petrol 25k on the clock 2005 I think

I can't hear the compressor kicking in - the aircon light does come on when the button is pushed - the squealing noise starts and the aircon is about as effective as a cock flavoured lollipop

[messerschmitt owner]

 

 

 

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[John F]

 

 

 

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+1 on that, definitely

 

Alternatively, hammer it flat so you can drive a smaller Citroen Saxo over it.

[Ross_K]

Never mind the pulley. What the fuck is that? ->>

[retrogeezer]

I Like Picasso's....

[Volksy]

Also on these, when you put the A/C on, it automatically puts the Radiator Cooling fan on low speed.

[fiatdaft]

Most ac equipped cars do this,the will have 2 fans,and one will cut in and out with the ac on.

[scooters]

I'm keen to ascertain whether the issue is related to the serpentine auxiliary drive belt/pulleys or whether it is an issue with the aircon itself. I suspect as the compressor is kicking it, this is an aircon issue rathger than a drive belt and the car has done a low mileage so I would be surprised at crank issues - I will have a look anyway and make a call.

 

Mum needs it for a trip to Engerlund next week and is anxious the drivebelt doesn't break -