Post
by Ed. » Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:49 am
Hello
I've recently joined this site, although I've had BXs for many years and absolutely love them, or indeed any hydropneumatic Citroens, but I've only ever had BXs.
I probably should start a new thread (and apologies for the long ramble) but...
I also have a 16 TXi (but in silver) and I was wondering if you reached conclusion on whether or not it's 'just an old BX'? Sadly, last November my TXi, which I've owned since 2001, developed an engine problem. One of the oil seals leaked oil onto the cam belt. I'm not sure if it was the top or bottom one (the oil had sprayed everywhere), so I replaced both and changed the belt but I was left with a misfire that I could not diagnose (I've changed the plugs, leads (the old ones were leaky) and dangled an earth wire around the coil but couldn't see any spark leaping out of it in the dark, so I don't think it's electrical (HT wise)). I've also changed the throttle body from a spare one I've got and cleaned all the electrical contacts, but it made no difference. I took the timing covers off twice to re-check and re-check again that the timing and holes line up perfectly, so I don't think it's a timing issue, but perhaps I'm wrong. I guess the next stage would be to measure the crank angle and cam lobe position, but I've not done this. The misfire only occurs when warm and when pulling away from stationary, particulary when a high torque is demanded. No misfire noticeable when running at high speed, although since the problem developed I daren't take it on a motorway voyage. Sometimes the misfire coincides with a back fire, so I think that's a good indicator that there's fuel going in, but not combusting. I've also changed the fuel filter too and the air filter was only changed six months ago for the MOT.
I've suspected the head gasket for many years on this car because I've had a mysterious coolant leak which is more noticebale on short journeys, also some mayonaise in the usual place and the exhaust always looks very steamy. It's never been a problem beause I frequently top it up. With all the work I've done recently I've now confirmed that the head gasket is OK because I've done a combustion leak test (negative) and a leak down test (no air bubbling up through the coolant). I did the leak down with the pistons at the top and bottom and when at the bottom, there was also no air bubbling through the coolant, so I think that also rules out cylinder liner cracks (so th ecoolant leak might be through the liner o rings?). There is however, plenty of air leaking down through the rings of all the cylinders (which may explain why a oil seal popped) and cylinder #2 has an inlet valve leak which has been on-going for many years because I can hear it when the engine is under load (although it's never yet been a problem). I don't have a proper leak down tester so I don't have any %s for you. I tried a compression test too, but the results are ridiculously low, so I think my tester is duff. The engine over recent years has also started to consume oil and this has been getting much more noticebale on long trips which probably indicates worn rings/liners more than valve stem seals.
So my conclusion is that the timing is probably OK, but the engine is not in good shape, and the compression may just be too low to support complete combustion over the whole load range. It's done 140,000 miles and I've always looked after it with very frequent oil changes. It mainly does motorway journeys because I use my push bike for everyday commuting and some local trips. Is this the way these engines tend to go? Has anyone had a similar experience with a BX 16 or an equivalent Pug? Apart from this, the engine sounds OK, ie bearing wise. I'm rather disappointed to face this problem at this mileage especially with a good six months test left.
Anyway, after about 5 weekends of trying to sort it, I simply couldn't do without a car anymore and the misfire at lights and junctions is either just disconcerting or dangerous! So I've now got a Mk3 Mondeo diesel (which of course comes with it's own bundle of problems, but I'm learning fast and it rewards you with a nice all day long 1850 rpm engine speed at 70 mph and cruise control, so I'm sort of happy with it, but blimey it's complex!).
That puts me with one too many cars really, and hence my initial question here. I'm not quite sure what to do with it and sadly I don't own acres of land with barns etc. I know really it's not worth any money (ie scrap value) despite having 6 months test. I think the engine needs a re-build.
If I can find 'a space' I might keep it and if I find the time, I'll get it back on the road. However, that will be many years down the line I suspect and the deterioration will set in further by that point. I have a turbo diesel engine from my old TZD which I had to scrap in 2004 because of rot, so perhaps I'll convert my TXi to diesel (I quite like the sound of that, has anyone done that here?). I'm quite attached to it (very sad), so I'm reluctant to sell it as is, but if someone is interested, then please let me know. The body has corrosion in the usual passenger side wheel arch which will need welding before the next test I think, but otherwise it's not too bad. I Waxoyled everything when I bought the car in 2001 and have tried to keep on top of it since. The windscreen is just starting to go misty around the edges too. I put a reconditioned alternator on it about 500 miles previously. I changed the clutch and cam belt in 2008 at 120,000 miles. In the last three years it's had new front brake callipers, clutch cable, handbrake cables, front spheres, ACC sphere, hydraflush and new LHM and new tyres all round. There's no tax and it's currently SORN because I transferred the insurance to the Mondeo.
Oh yes, and I forgot to mention, that I also have a BX 16 RS pilot which perhaps I'll introduce to you one day, so I might keep the TXi for spares - watch this space.
Ed
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