Citroën Xsara Picasso
PSA four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine from the EW family with 1.8-litre displacement and timing belt. Solid everyday engine between the 1.6 and 2.0. Timing belt change every 120,000 km is mandatory.
Proven van petrol
116 hp in the Xsara Picasso — solid everyday engine for the family van; refined and long-lived.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The 1.8 16V uses a conventional timing belt with a 120,000 km replacement interval (some model years 150,000 km). If the belt is not replaced in time, a snap will cause total valve damage on this interference engine.
Symptoms: Engine stumbles on cranking, engine noises, sudden engine stall, metallic impact inside the engine
The head gasket can fail at higher mileages, allowing coolant into the oil or combustion chamber. Typical problem on neglected cooling systems where coolant has not been changed regularly.
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, coolant loss without visible leak, oil emulsion in the coolant reservoir
Like the related EW10, the hydraulic tappets in the EW7 1.8 are prone to malfunctions on cold start as they age. Stumbling improves after warm-up but progresses without intervention.
Symptoms: Stumbling and shaking on cold start, misfire warnings, disappears after fully warming up
Sagem ignition coils in the EW7 are a known weakness. Faulty coils cause misfires that can damage the catalytic converter with unburnt fuel. Replacement as a complete set is recommended.
Symptoms: Rough engine running, power drop, engine check light with fault codes P030x, occasional stumbling under load
The shaft seals on both camshafts become porous over time and lose their sealing ability. Oil leaking from the end of the engine is a common age-related issue on this engine that requires regular checking.
Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, visible oil leak at the engine end, oil consumption without oil mist
At higher mileages the camshaft seals on the EW7 frequently leak. The oil loss is often minor but causes contamination, burning smell, and in the long run oil starvation.
Symptoms: Oil film or oil smell in engine bay, visible oil loss at the front of the engine, slightly falling oil level
Vehicle Weaknesses 5
The Picasso's sills are well known to rust. In addition there was a recall for corrosion on the front axle springs (production dates July 1999 to September 2003) where there was a risk of breakage.
Virtually anything can fail electrically in the Xsara Picasso: randomly flashing warning lights, triggered immobiliser, defective window regulators. A recall affected 150,000 Picasso vehicles worldwide due to a software fault in the central control unit.
The shock absorbers on the Xsara Picasso have an expected service life of around 70,000 km. From 80,000 km they go soft and lose their damping effect. Shock absorbers are regularly flagged at the MOT.
As the Xsara Picasso ages the backlit digital speedometer becomes increasingly problematic. The fuel gauge also frequently reads incorrectly, showing wrong fill levels.
The indicator stalk on the Xsara Picasso frequently fails to click into position or cancels itself during steering. Replacing the stalk unit for around €50 plus fitting is the typical solution.
