Citroen BX diesel automatic.

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Phil
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Citroen BX diesel automatic.

Post by Phil »

Hi everybody, I have just joined your forum.
I have just purchased a 1990 Citroen BX diesel automatic with 112,000 miles recorded.
I am in Wiltshire.
I have no service history for it so was wondering if there was someone known to yourselves who might carry out a cambelt change and replace a worn engine mount, oh and replace the suspension fluid. How much should that set me back?

My girlfriend has told me she doesn't like the car at all and wants it gone. I have only owned it a few days and I really like it. If I can get the above work done fairly cheaply then I think I might get away with keeping it. I do hope so. I look forward to your replies. Many thanks.
sdelasal
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Post by sdelasal »

welcome ..... as to "My girlfriend has told me she doesn't like the car at all and wants it gone" --- welcome again..
Phil
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Post by Phil »

Thanks for the welcome. As I said I do like the car a lot. Perhaps in hindsight I should have left my girlfriends comments out of it.
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ken newbold
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Post by ken newbold »

Garages used to charge about £100 for a cambelt change, which IMHO is a rip off.
If all goes well should only take about an hour.

You'll need about 4 ltrs of LHM and also about another hours work.
TIP
Buy your own LHM. :idea: and cambelt come to think of it, but make sure you get a "Gates" belt. Belt should cost about £10-12
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Tim Leech
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Post by Tim Leech »

sdelasal wrote:welcome ..... as to "My girlfriend has told me she doesn't like the car at all and wants it gone" --- welcome again..

They all say that, when she wants a lift anywhere or you to go fetch something in it then jsyt remind her of the fact....anyway welcome aboard!

The cambelt and engine mount are not Citroen specific so a friendly local garage should be able to take care of it for you, or try and find a Citroen/Peugeot specialist.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
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Post by Defender110 »

Welcome from another diesel auto driver, my misses doesn't like mine either but they are great cars that never fail to satisfy.
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toddao
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Post by toddao »

Hello Phil and welcome, stick with your BX and your girlfriend will warm to it I'm sure.

That's a bit of a theme unfortunately.. you're not the first to come under flak from the lady.
Last week I was approached by an XM driver who loved my BX - knew exactly what model it was, how rare etc. said he always wanted one but the wife was totally against it.
Fortunately my wife likes our BX!

Just out of curiousity, what would your girlfriend find suitable for a car?
Todd


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Post by kiwi »

Welcome to the club and yet another Diesel for them to tell us about :lol:

While your doing you engine dont forget to get the Auto Transmission fluid changed.
1991 BX19 TZS 04/01/91 (Deceased)
1990 BX19 TRS 27/10/89 (Reborn)
1992 BX19 TXD (Ex UK - K 744 SDF) 15/06/92
1990 BX19 TZS Auto 06/11/1989
1992 BX TZD Turbo Estate (Ex UK) 1/07/91
Phil
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Post by Phil »

toddao wrote:Hello Phil and welcome, stick with your BX and your girlfriend will warm to it I'm sure.

That's a bit of a theme unfortunately.. you're not the first to come under flak from the lady.
Last week I was approached by an XM driver who loved my BX - knew exactly what model it was, how rare etc. said he always wanted one but the wife was totally against it.
Fortunately my wife likes our BX!

Just out of curiousity, what would your girlfriend find suitable for a car?
Thanks guys. My girlfriend much prefered my Rover 75. That was a lovely car.
The autobox oil, that will also get done.
I have a few queries, my BX intermittently won't start, there is a click from under the dash when you turn the key and the dash lights go off but the starter doesn't turn. If you flick the key a few times it goes fine.
It is a new starter motor fitted before my purchase to cure this.
If I connect a jump lead to the solenoid from the battery it goes straight away. Is there a relay that is prone to failure?
Secondly, I have been having a look at this mount and it is soft but not excessively so I wouldnt say, the bloke I bought it from said that the mount was worn and when you accelerate hard it would jump into neutral as the engine moves too far. Anyway I don't think this is the case. If you accellerate away quickly it intermittently misses second gear. If you back off the throttle it finds second straight away. Have any of you come across this? One thing I have noticed is the kickdown cable is not adjusted correctly. Kick down is not achievable it is that slack. Could this be an issue as the cable controls pressures does it not?
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Post by Tim Leech »

Hi Phil

I had the same problem with my 1.9i Auto, turned out the battery wasnt in too good health and wasnt "up to the job" as it was a one zie fits all, I fitted a new heavy duty one and its been fine ever since......
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
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Post by Way2go »

Phil wrote:One thing I have noticed is the kickdown cable is not adjusted correctly. Kick down is not achievable it is that slack. Could this be an issue as the cable controls pressures does it not?
Welcome from another BX owner with auto transmission. :D

The kickdown cable apparently needs to be correctly adjusted for more reasons than just kickdown. The Doc (Doc Chevron) on here is experienced in this and can give you a procedure, or just use the "search" facility on this site as it has been covered before. :)
1991 BX19GTi Auto
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Post by Dollywobbler »

Roverman wrote:Hi Phil

I had the same problem with my 1.9i Auto, turned out the battery wasnt in too good health and wasnt "up to the job" as it was a one zie fits all, I fitted a new heavy duty one and its been fine ever since......
Before heading out and getting a new battery, I should point out that mine still does this on occasion, even with a brand new one (the old one was proper dead though!). My understanding is that the earth can get a bit flaky, which will cause the lights to die but no starter action. Also, check the earth cable from the battery. If it feels warm after a short burst on the starter, that might not be earthing properly either.
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Post by Phil »

Cheers guys. I will have a search. Is it normal to have a wobbly speedo needle?
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Tim Leech
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Post by Tim Leech »

Phil wrote:Cheers guys. I will have a search. Is it normal to have a wobbly speedo needle?
If it doesnt wobble its broken...... :lol:
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
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docchevron
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Post by docchevron »

Welcome Phil!
Phil wrote:
I have a few queries, my BX intermittently won't start, there is a click from under the dash when you turn the key and the dash lights go off but the starter doesn't turn. If you flick the key a few times it goes fine.
It is a new starter motor fitted before my purchase to cure this.
There is no relay as standard, but the fitment of one usually cures this sort of behaviour. It's been covered on here before.
Aged wiring and / or a slightly tired ignition barrell can cause these symptoms, a relay will relieve the stress and hopefully no more starting issues.
Phil wrote:Secondly, I have been having a look at this mount and it is soft but not excessively so I wouldnt say, the bloke I bought it from said that the mount was worn and when you accelerate hard it would jump into neutral as the engine moves too far. Anyway I don't think this is the case. If you accellerate away quickly it intermittently misses second gear. If you back off the throttle it finds second straight away. Have any of you come across this? One thing I have noticed is the kickdown cable is not adjusted correctly. Kick down is not achievable it is that slack. Could this be an issue as the cable controls pressures does it not?
Which mount is it exactley? I assume the mount in question is the torque link down the back of the engine?
The engine would have to shift ALOT to move the selector quadrant!
You are correct though, the "kickdown" cable is a slightly dubious term for it, pressure control cable would be more apt, and correct adjustment is ESSENTIAL for longevity in the box. I assume the little tab is still present on the cable at the pump end??
If the cable is so slack kickdown isn't achievable then the line pressure will be low across the range so the fact second skips is hardly surprising!
Smokes lots, because enough's enough already!

Far too many BX's, a bus, an ambulance a few trucks, not enough time and never enough cash...
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