Wanted - Citroen maintenance/restoration mentor.....

[SamWise]

I have a confession to make. I'm actually not that good mechanically. I got by with my bus in India because A) It's really big, and therefore it's hard to break bits even if you're a large bloke with a heavy hand on the socket wrench, B) everything is big and easy to find, and you can actually climb aroud most parts of the engine, and C) in India, there's always somebody who can fix something for you, even if they've never seen one before.

This gave me confidence that I could look after my own cars when I came home, but that confidence has become eroded. Sometimes I tackle jobs succesfully, but more often I tackle things that should take an hour, spend all day, don't fix the problem, and cause one or two new ones into the bargain. I would dearly like to be the kind of bloke who can make his own replacement sills in the shed, or doesn't blink at removing an engine, and I'd definitely settle for feeling confident to strip a fuel pump or weld a few patches on a frilly old Cit. Trouble is, I have never had friends who did these things, nor was my Dad into it, do I've never learned a lot of the basic knowledge and techniques. I have a good local independent garage/bodge shop who are cheap, always find a way to fix things, and don't blanche when they see a hydraulic Citroen, but finances dictate that they only tackle the "must do this to stay on the road" jobs, whilst other things get lived with or ignored.

I'd like to rectify this, and become the unstoppable mechanic I was born to be, and I wonder if there's anyone on this august forum who might be willing to give me a bit of time here and there, not to do things for me, but to talk me through jobs that need doing, and lend a hand when I'm about to fuck things up cataclysmically. Any volunteers? There's beer/coffee/chips in it for you, and any help I can give the other way (my skills are writing, music, and sales/marketing mainly, which I'm more than happy to barter the other way to someone who is prepared to handhold me through my first cam-belt change!).

[mat_fenwick]

Well, first of all you're in the right place here! There's been a few times when I have needed advice quickly, posted a request and had a useful response within minutes. Even on non Citroen problems...
Most of my experience (and I still have a lot to learn) has been just trying to do a job. Sometimes takes AGES the first time, but you learn from that, and get better the second time. I think the biggest step forwards I had when working on cars was when I stopped using a workshop manual as a 'bible', and used it as a guide - started to think for myself which was the best way to do things rather than blindly following what had been written.

[toddao]

SamWise wrote

I got by with my bus in India

sounds interesting, what's the story? Bus? India?

[DavidRutherford]

chips

MMmmmm Chips.

*Is sold*

[jonathan_dyane]

I love BXClub!

[Kitch]

I'm not one of the hardcore elite here, but I've done a few engine out job, suspension, brakes and lots of interior. I'm only in Colden Common so give me a shout if you get stuck!

[docchevron]

I'm miles away, but if you ever get stuck in Gloucestershire, I'm usually around to take the piss and stick a beer and some cake in yer hand.
Dont know fuck all about cars though!

[CitroXim]

Dont know fuck all about cars though!

That's a bit like saying Gordon Brown knows fcuk all about politics

No, sorry, bad example

It's a bit like saying Brian May knows nothing of Music (or Astronomy for that matter)...

Come on Doc, give yourself a bit of credit for once!!!

[SamWise]

I'm not one of the hardcore elite here, but I've done a few engine out job, suspension, brakes and lots of interior. I'm only in Colden Common so give me a shout if you get stuck!

Well, the current issue is to fix the floppy accelerator. If you have a welder (or I can bring mine, if you have any skills!), and wouldn't mind giving me a hand with that, I'd be eternally grateful!

[Kitch]

I've never welded mate, its something I've always wanted to learn!

I'm about to remove a pedal box from the valver I'm breaking though, so I can find out how easy (or hard) it is and report back

[docchevron]

Come on Doc, give yourself a bit of credit for once!!!

I aint no expert mate, I just play one on the internet.

I'm much more excited about buses than cars at the mo anyway!

[SamWise]

I'm much more excited about buses than cars at the mo anyway!

That doesn't in any way exempt you from being helpful to me, given the nature of my fleet!

[Tim Leech]

Sam, I like you am far better at driving them (or in my case cleaning) that actually fixing them, BUT with the advice from the guys on here and a bit of trial and error you will be amazed what you can do. The bx isnt that hard to work on but I steer away from the big jobs (cambelts etc) that if you get wrong can cost a fortune.

A haynes manual is worth having for the simple straightforward jobs but anything more complicated your best to ask Doc, David etc as they have more experience.

Good luck!

[SamWise]

I've had a good offer of help. I can usually manage simple things, but I've always wanted to feel confident doing bigger jobs, cambelts particularly, but also welding etc. I just hate not being able to do things for myself!

[MULLEY]

I'm right good at car mechanics me

I can change front struts & the very complicated rear number plate light removal as well