Coming back to the flock?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 6:16 pm

Yeah, was kind of hoping it wasn't the octopus. Oh well!

Have also discovered today that the cambelt was changed with the head gasket 22k ago, but that was five years ago too. In fact, I'd just got home with a print out of the service history from the local garage (going back to 1997) when I discovered the leak. Maybe I'll be heading back there tomorrow as it's in a place that'll be easier to check with it on a ramp.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:41 pm

I guess with a car of that age and price, you've got to expect to fork out for some new bits. I know I always do!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:57 pm

Oh don't worry, I'm not losing faith just yet. Rather now than in France in late to mid October...

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:10 am

If it is the octopus it's not that hard, it's just time consuming, fiddly and messy.

CitroXim · Post by **CitroXim** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:12 am

Yes, indeed, welcome back Mr. Wobbler

I love that username...

I've been away for a long bit too and you might say I'm back but still without a BX.

I fell for a Xantia V6 just after Christmas and it's finally now working again after what seem like a complete ground-up rebuild, including autobox

As you say Phil, if it was made by man it can be fixed by man!

Hope it's not the octopus

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:56 am

Well, as posted in the tech section, looks like it could well be the small octopus. Off to a local Citroen specialist in a bit to get it looked at. Much easier with a ramp!

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:35 am

Hi Ian, you'll get it sorted in no time.

Incidently, HOW did you manage to shift the Alfa (the one seen on Autos1hite?)

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:00 pm

Fixed now. Impressed with the local place! One return pipe had already been repaired, so that's been re-done. Might get it sorted properly before BXagon*. They also replaced a leaky strut pipe - they had two on the shelf!

New issue is starter. It's very slow to churn but I wonder if it's something like an earth issue rather than a knackered starter. Any thoughts? She does still seem to catch - just about...

* I reserve the right to just forget about it and chance it for the trip anyway!

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:10 pm

Check the earth on the gearbox, the condition of the cabling and the state of the crappy lead battery clamps.

Have the battery drop tested too, a diesel does need a decent battery.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:42 pm

Thanks. Was wondering about battery too. I'll see how things go...

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:34 pm

Don't forget to include the alternator and its cabling in that checking - I've bought BXs where the alternator cabling self-destructed on the way home or soon after. The brown block under the battery is often a good candidate too for brisk attention with the wire-brush.

Ignore the state of the charging side of things and you could flatten a new battery before you know it, even if the starter proves to be in good order.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:46 pm

Well, it seems to be charging fine so I suspect the battery, especially as it seemed to turn over much more quickly with a jump from the 2CV. Guess I'd better get it changed before it gets cold...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 5:49 pm

Before you do, check all the main connections to the starter to see if they get warm (=high resistance) while cranking - if they do then you've found the (one of the?) problem(s).
I had the battery earth lead clamp 'go' on me, literally overnight. The fact that it happened so suddenly, and the fact that I bypassed it with a dodgy jump lead led me to suspect the starter. It was only after changing the starter, and viewing it in daylight, that I saw smoke coming from the battery terminal...

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 3:46 pm

Well, almost two weeks in and it's getting to the point that I might have to put some fuel in the tank again...

Really pleased with it. Yes, it's got issues and yes, I'm an idiot and the rear wheels DO have silly camber, so the rear arm bearings ARE shot, but I used it today to drag the 2CV to Bury St Edmunds and I was amazed at its performance.

Technically, the 2CV is a bit heavy for the maximum unbraked recommendation and with a 1.9 non-turbo, I was fully expecting it to pull very slowly indeed. It didn't! Felt quite brisk really and very comfortable at 70mph.

Stuck to a 70mph cruise on the way back and it was deliciously relaxing. Citroen really did build a good car didn't they? Will fill up tomorrow and see what the mpg is...

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:12 pm

Have some more pics.

Quality heater repair...