Hydraulics: Is my BX19D doomed?

[Skinnylad]

Hi

I have a fabulous BX Estate, K reg, done about 156K. The car is generally in fantastic nick. It has been very reliable over the last 7 years since I acquired it. However, over the last couple of years the hydraulics keep creating regular issues.

I've had the octopus replaced once, repaired several times, and several rubber hose leaks fixed over the last couple of years. The pump had been replaced a couple of times. Being useless under the bonnet myself, I have a very trustworthy and reliable garage who have kept it in great repair. However, following the last repair they are suggesting that maybe I find something new - and they are true Citroen fanatics.

It seems that the hydraulics will keep failing in the same way, and that parts are increasingly hard to come by. As I'm not handy, I do need a vehicle I can rely on. Any comments? I really don't want to lose if I don't have to.

Cheers

[citronut]

hi Skinnylad and welcome

you wrote
"and they are true Citroen fanatics."

they cant be that fanatical over citroens if they are telling you to get shot of a BX,

were abouts are you (obviously not under the bonnet TEA HE)

regards malcolm

[Dollywobbler]

Seems odd that Citroen experts would need to replace a hydraulic pump a couple of times. I trust they were fitting second-hand!

The 150k mark does seem a troublesome time. Mine's had a few issues, but thankfully minor. (well, assuming that the pump isn't knackered as has been suggested! It still might be...)

[Skinnylad]

Hi Citronut,

Based in Manchester, go to Paris-Autos (see website) for my Citroen needs (Also have a 2cv). I dunno, maybe they are trying to save me money: P they specialise in Citroen/Peugeot.

Basically I've been told that the hydraulics will keep going in the same sort of ways I've experienced, and that parts are becoming trickier to come by. Yes, the pumps have been second hand.. They are great mechanics and must have saved me hundreds over the years.

Is there a best way of dealing with the hydraulic system in the long term? I use the car everyday on the motorway, on holidays to France, and have taken it across Norway a couple of years ago - so it's in constant use. But I need something reliable that can continue doing this, hence my concerns.. but we love the car, and would rather keep it..

[MULLEY]

If you could provide some specific issues/faults that you have, then the more learned amongst us can advise on help/solutions. If they were true citroen fans, then surely they wouldnt be saying get rid Mind you, some citroen fans ignore anything unless its a ds, cx or traction avant....

[Skinnylad]

Hey Mulley

I think maybe they're trying to do me a favour and save me some grief.. (?)

Either way, we have had quite a few leaks and splits in the lines that have been either replaced or repaired.

I was wondering really if these lines will keep going till it's no longer repairable, or if there might be a way of replacing the lot with something newer that might last a bit longer (?).

Any advice gratefully received : )

Cheers

[jonathan_dyane]

we have had quite a few leaks and splits in the lines that have been either replaced or repaired.

I was wondering really if these lines will keep going till it's no longer repairable, or if there might be a way of replacing the lot with something newer that might last a bit longer (?).

Any advice gratefully received : )

Cheers

The bulk of the return piping is just rubber tubing, so is easily replaced. There are some more complex parts, but even these can be replaced with ingenuity. Next time it springs a leak, why don't you get the car on some ramps and have a go at it yourself?

[Defender110]

Hi and welcome Skinny Lad

If it's reliability you are after can I suggest you only fit new parts when available. In my experience fitting second hand parts is a total false economy especially if you need to pay labour charges aswell, paying several times to have a second hand pump fitted instead of paying once for new that would still be going strong?????

Are you any where near Bolton?

[Linegeist]

I suggest Jonathan has a very good point up there. Trying to run a classic car if you either won't, or can't, get your hands dirty is a classic example of the law of diminishing returns - and you're going to leak money quicker than a rotten spider leaks LHM.

Things WILL go wrong with an elderly car - and often with increasing regularity .......... but there are many on here who would argue that half the pleasure in owning such a vehicle is in the pitting of one's mechanical skills against the ravages of time - and winning.

One of the things that shocked me when I first got into Citroen ownership was how simple they actually are. They're just different. Learning how your car bolts together, and what to do when them ol' bolts drop off, not only gives you a huge sense of achievement, but also insures you against many of the costly bills otherwise associated with classic car ownership.

Besides, running and servicing a BX is a lot cheaper than tying up £16,000 by buying a new car (and watching it depreciate year after year) AND also gets you membership of this gang of green-blooded nutcases (who'll all go out of their way to help you understand how to fix your BX).

Go on. Get under that car (first making sure that the suspension is securely chocked, etc, etc, etc........)

[citronut]

your repeated leaks might just be the repaire's failing over again, it is corect that some of the return rubber pipes are becomeing hard to source,

and i dont belive you can just replace them with any old rubber tube/pipe, as it needs to be the corect type of rubber,

im sure you will find that in the case of your octapussy beeing new (i hope), that should if fitted corectly last at least the same sort of time as the original,

the trouble is that all the original pipe on your car are the same age

regards malcolm

[mat_fenwick]

Perhaps I'm just being cynical, but perhaps instead of trying to save you money, the garage is simply saving itself money by trying to avoid having an immobile BX sat on its ramps while they try and source a part that they discover has failed mid repair.
Yes, parts seem to be harder to come by now, but in my experience it's just been a slight wait and not impossible.

[Skinnylad]

Thanks for all your replies - it's good to know there are so many people out there going through the same thing - I hardly see any BX's on the roads so thought they were a dying breed!

I'm going to continue with it for as long as I can. I'm not averse to getting my hands dirty but have nowhere for a ramp unless I jack it up on the street..

My garage do try and sort my vehicle outas soon as poss as they know I use it daily - so if they have anything lying around they'll fix it up.

Having said that, can anyone recommend a good place to source parts, hoses, pumps etc? Tried looking for links on the site hosing this forum, but all the links seem broken?

I had no idea that you could still buy new parts - presumed they were all second hand?

Cheers all

[jonathan_dyane]

Having said that, can anyone recommend a good place to source parts, hoses, pumps etc?

My favourite supplier is Malcolm Lockwood of Bradford who does mail order, however there are also GSF and Euro Car Parts. Citroen do still supply a lot of stuff if you're prepared to pay their prices and are prepared to wait.

Pleiades specialise in Citroen hydraulics, and supply pumps and hosing, however I know peoples experience of them is mixed.

[mat_fenwick]

I've found that IF you get a helpful dealer, most genuine parts are still available new - if you're willing to pay!
AEP are a good source of genuine parts at a decent(ish!) price, then you've got others like GSF and Eurocraparts (sic) but they know less and less about BXs nowadays.

EDIT - Looks like you beat me to it JD!

[Dollywobbler]

While a lot of folk are very hands-on on here, I'm generally too busy and too liable to make a mess of things, so I do tend to farm work out, especially now I've found a decent specialist.

I do fit new. The only second-hand replacement part I've fitted is a water pipe after one split in France. I've had to replace battery, two tyres and alternator so far and a couple of return pipes have been repaired.

I'd say I've probably spent £400 on the car since I bought it in September, but it is getting on for 10,000 miles since then! Buying the car cost me £266 with T&T (which still haven't run out) so even with the repair work, it's a lot cheaper than buying new!

I have to say though, now I've been shown the ropes (I like to hang around while they work on my car - not everyone likes this) I feel much more confident about having a go myself.