Mat's BX Blog

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:05 pm

Vanny wrote:we went to bed awefully early!

In my case (if I remember correctly), completely against my will! Although probably for the best...

Post by **docchevron** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:47 am

I think you'd have kept going until there was nothing left in the whole universe to drink!

True Vanster, it was an early night for us, but it was a good deal colder than previous years...

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:54 am

Managed to find a replacement head, which I have now fitted. The genuine Citroen head bolts I found were actually for a 1.8 petrol Xantia, and about 10mm too long, which was a bit of a pain. Fortunately the old bolts were still within spec. for length, so (reluctantly) I re-used them, as I didn't want the job to drag into this week. I was pleased to notice that honing marks were still visible in the bores, with no wear ridge after 156k miles.
The first start is here.

I also replaced 2 of the 3 braided hoses behind the engine, a little easier to do with the head off. A new accumulator has gone on, and the HP pump is next on the list. I've still got the new radiator to fit; also a new rear strut and an inner CV boot, which I noticed is a bit flaky. I've got a set of rear pads and discs which I may stick on if I get chance.
Then after that it needs a MOT and a puncture repaired before it'll be ready for France, I might even get chance to take it for a test run first!

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 10:48 pm

Getting there slowly - this evening saw the inlet manifold going back on, HP pump replaced, new radiator in and driveshaft out ready for a new boot tomorrow. Then darkness stopped play...

Can't believe how lucky I've been with the weather - it's rained once in the last 3 weeks! Most unlike Wales.

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:58 pm

thats a damn sight more rain than i've had here, my garden is looking drier than the moon!

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:18 am

I never run out of water, i've got one of those huge ibc's with an additional storage unit daisychained upto it, so i just collect free rainwater & have over 1200 litres at my disposal. The ibc only cost me £50 off e-bay. I even share it with my next door neighbours as i can never use enough to run it dry.

On Topic - glad you're getting your car sorted Mat, was it winding the turbo boost up to much that caused the crack in the head? or was it just age?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:29 am

Think it was probably a combination of factors really, I had suspected the radiator was not 100% (hence the replacement), and had briefly overheated whilst towing a trailer in the summer. When my Dad had the engine he had badly overheated it previously, which had warped the head - however the garage who repaired it said it wasn't that bad, and didn't bother to skim it. To my mind that would mean extra stresses on the head, but I suppose the turbo didn't help either...have wound it down a touch now! (A shame

)

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:32 pm

Back on the road now, with hindsight it probably wasn't the cleverest idea to have the first test drive on the way to work this morning - 25 miles, most of it with no mobile coverage...
But all seemed OK, apart from a slipping clutch. Bugger. Must have spilt a bit of diesel in it from the fuel filter, am hoping it will improve and it seems to be.

If not then I'll whip the box out and change it, probably the night before the BXagon just to keep with tradition before a long journey.
The rough running after cold starting, and the smoke doesn't seem to have improve, and I'm now fairly sure the air leak is coming from the fuel pump spindle - I can actually move the spindle in and out a noticeable amount. And if anyone wants to tell me that's a sign of immanent pump death, then just remember I'm trying to subscribe to the 'ignorance is bliss' philosophy...

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:59 pm

No pressure, Mat, but you CANNOT fail to get it right for the BXagon.

OK only kidding. But not much.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 4:08 am

mat_fenwick wrote: But all seemed OK, apart from a slipping clutch. Bugger. Must have spilt a bit of diesel in it from the fuel filter, am hoping it will improve and it seems to be.

Just a thought

, would a small dribble of "Fairy Liquid" through the same orifice sort it? Only detergent will disperse the oiliness of oil. Hopefully a small amount won't adversely affect the friction plate or any other bits of the mechanism?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:52 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote:No pressure, Mat, but you CANNOT fail to get it right for the BXagon.

Relax Phil, it'll be fine!

The rough running/smoke has been exactly the same for the last 20k miles or so (ever since I did the engine swap) and only lasts 30 secods or so. The thing that bugs me the most about it is people who see an oldish car starting smokily and think it's knackered. Far from it IMO.
W2G, that's not a bad idea! My first thought was pouring degreaser in, but I ruled that one out as being too aggressive and beachwear it would probably dry out the release bearing. The clutch has only done 20k miles, so should be plenty of meat left. It's almost stopped now, so think I got away with it...

A far more serious problem however has cropped up today, one which I simply must sort out without delay - the batteries in my Plip key fob have gone flat and I now have to use the key! It is actually a bit of a pain, as the key is a pattern one and not the best fit in the lock. Oh, and I must get an MOT soon as well.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:14 pm

At least batteries are an easy save

I wondered why the clock on my Gti was dead, so had a looksey & previous owner has removed the original clock, glued in the replacement & low & behold its not wired into anything, its battery operated

So a replacement batter is required to fix it.....

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 1:30 am

Rear strut now sorted - it would leak hugely through the return pipe ONLY when on high. This turned out to be the rod between the piston and rear arm snapping (something which I have never come across before).

So as the rod had snapped, the piston was moving further outwards then intended, past the first seal, therefore the return pipe was seeing full hydraulic pressure. Fortunately had a spare strut in stock, and I can at least keep the 'old' strut as a spare to match with a decent rod and gaiter.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:07 pm

mat_fenwick wrote:My first thought was pouring degreaser in, but I ruled that one out as being too aggressive and beachwear it would probably dry out the release bearing.

All I can say is

I have no idea what word that was supposed to be...the sentence reads fine without it so it must be a reflection on what was on my mind at the time!

Anyway, put new rear pads and discs on, together with a new fitting kit. Most of it was pleasantly unseized, which was nice.

I've also managed to book an MOT for Friday, that's still a whole week to go before the BXagon so hopefully plenty of time if it should fail. Clutch is now no longer slipping, so things are looking up!

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Tue Oct 06, 2009 10:06 am

Looking good Matt! Do you have front mounted i/c on yours mate?