Vinces Blog.

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
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Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Mark.
Thanks very much for your kind reply, I do love polishing cars, I tend
to these days settle for quality rather than quantity, my neighbours see
me as a weather indicator, even today I have been cleaning inside of
both washer bottles and polishing the paintwork underneath, and still in
my shorts still :oops:
However, as there always is, there is one guy down the road who is an
A.A man, with 2 silver B-W,s one a convertable and they are always mint
and I never see him out polishing his cars. Me if I am not out then it must
be raining :roll:
What cars do you have then Mark ? I always feel that a clean car
drives alot nicer than a dirty one.
All the best Mark and keep in touch, I do know that the BX TXi that I
have just taken delivery of is appearing in this months Citroenian, so I
am led to believe anyway, I shall put some more photo,s of her highness
this weekend, with some shots of the wheelarches and the door shuts etc,
and under the bonnet too.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
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Mike E (uk)
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Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 9:10 am
Location: High Wycombe, Bucks
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Post by Mike E (uk) »

Cleaning inside the washer bottles is not as daft as it sounds.

When I bought my last BX the washer fluid had turned into jelly.

The detergent goes ropey and goos up the washer pipes and jets.

The rear bottle is the worst because the squirters rarely get used.

Mike
la BX 16 soupapes: sachez apprecier avec moderation.



It might be clever now, but it won't be in the morning!
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MULLEY
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Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Post by MULLEY »

Watch out for legionnaires disease :shock:
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
bx petrol auto saloon
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Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
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Vinces Blog.

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Mike.
I know exactly what you mean, I have been a mechanic since I was
15 in 1977.
My Dad was stationed at Naphill for about 8 years before he retired
about 10 years ago now, so I know how to drive around High Wycombe,
especially all the roundabouts and the 2 big hills, lovely place though.
after he retired from the R.A.F he worked for a very very very posh
helicopter place at Booker Airfield, where the Arab owners had 6 brand
new Ferrarri,s and a brand new Lamborghini Diablo all unused with red
covers still on them all. never met him though.
So Mike do you have a 16 valver then ? what year and colour Mike ?
Anyway let me know Mike ok
All the best
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
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Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear All.
Well still can,t manage to post any photos on this forum yet, but we live
in hope, have managed to on the C.C.C forum.
I am still working my way through the BX, after sorting out the a/freeze
at the weekend I thought I would turn my attention to the service items.
so I am renewing the engine oil and the filter and renewing the air filter,
fuel filter, spark plugs, both of the air-con belt and the hp pump belt. and
renewing both wiper blades.
I was told that the car had a timing chain fitted, but I thought I had better check it out, lucky I did as she has a cambelt, so I have ordered
a new one complete with a new tensioner aswell ready for me to fit.
I also priced up a complete exhaust for her, as the centre silencer is
leaking a bit. but they wanted over £ 180.00 plus VAT just for the rear
most three parts, as they could not supply a frontpipe either. So I put
my thinking head on and thought the best thing to get would be a new
stainless steel one. so that is where I am upto now. trying to find some-one that will sell me a stainless steel exhaust, not including the manifold
though. I am only looking to spend £ 200.00 max for a standard system.
One thing I need too is a clip for the air filter housing, as there is one
missing, and I also need a rubber block damper that sits on the front
wing, it has a little metal clip inside to fix it to the front wing under the
bonnet, there are two fitted one either side, I would think to look at it
that they are interchangeable, it is about 2" by !" if anyone has one of
each would be very kind.
The BX also appears to me to be running a bit " high " on the suspen-
sion too, as I have to have the control lever inside the car, in a position
half way between NORMAL and LOW. I think Pleiades may have to sort
that one out when she goes in for five new spheres. ?
Anyway thats me done for this stint.
Take care.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
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Way2go
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Re: Vince,s Blog

Post by Way2go »

bx petrol auto saloon wrote: The BX also appears to me to be running a bit " high " on the suspen-
sion too, as I have to have the control lever inside the car, in a position
half way between NORMAL and LOW.
Are you aware that the height corrector will not operate correctly with the lever set below (or even above) "Normal"?

To maintain the correct automatic operation of the height corrector, the Normal setting should only be adjusted by means of the collar around the anti-roll bar.

A good example of not-quite-right-operation is to drive the BX in the "Intermediate" position. You will find that although you still have suspension, it is now firmer as the "springing" is now only by virtue of the spheres as back-flow into the system is locked off as for as long as the height corrector operation is restricted by it's lever linkage being in the "wrong position".

You are probably better off driving the BX in the NORMAL setting even if it's slightly high until you are able to get a mechanic to check and adjust the ride height. (BX needs to be on a lift or over a pit to do this safely as the wheels need to be on the ground)
1991 BX19GTi Auto
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Vince,s Blog.

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Way 2 Go.
Sorry for my late reply :oops: and thank you very much for your much
appreciated insight to my BX,s suspension problem too. I didn,t know that
the height correctors function like that to be perfectly honest, so thanks
for that :wink:
To me it feels when I have driven it in the normal position, she feels
rather bouncy, and looks like she is high enough to be in intermediate, if
you understand what I mean :wink: I haven,t driven the car much at all,
as I have been either polishing or mending her so far :)
She is back up on one axle stand at the moment, while I am fitting a
new water pump, cambelt and tensioner.
Many Thanks again for your kind help.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
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Tim Leech
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My Cars: Various
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Post by Tim Leech »

Vince if you want your photos posting just email them to me.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
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Vince,s Blog.

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Tim.
Thanks anyway Tim, sorry I was having a very very senior moment,
Shari has managed to post them already, so sorry :oops: I am a div
sometimes.
I did vote for your blue BX photo to be on the C.C.C membership
card next year Tim, so I hope it wins :)
Thanks Tim anyway.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
x 2

Vince,s Blog.

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear All.
Today thanks to Mr Meteor,s fantastic write-up :D on petrol cambelts,
I have fitted new waterpump, tensioner and cambelt, tensioned the belt
the belt with a special tool I made out of one the aluminium stakes from
one of an old set of garden solar lights, the spikes that hold them into
the grass, to enable me to adjust the tension on the cambelt, whilst still
being able to tighten the allen key in the centre of the tensioner. 8)
I have polished and fitted the middle and lower cambelt covers, and
am just fitting the engine mounting back on today just before the end
of play :shock:
I am hoping to have her running weather permitting tomorrow,
This is the first cambelt I have had to do that the new cambelt didn,t
have any timing marks on it at all :shock: I thought it was a good job
I always mark the old ones with a yellow car touch-up paint, before
I take them off. :)
Well that,s it for today anyway.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
x 2

Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear All.
New water pump, tensioner, cambelt, air filter, spark plugs, air-con.
belt and the HP pump belt aswell. all renewed now, she is starting first
turn of the key and running very well including pumping the suspension
up really quickly too :wink:
I am just waiting for some more cooling parts to arrive tomorrow
before I put the new antifreeze and bleed the cooling system ready
for winter. After that I will be renewing the fuel filter, the wiper blades
and the oil and filter, as I have already bought those new parts. :)
More importantly, I have managed to polish a bit more of the engine
including the cambelt covers etc. and polish some more parts of the
engine bay too 8)
I have had some very very good news on the stainless steel exhaust
system for her, a lovely company has offered to make me new stain-
less system not including the manifold for the budget I have available
and they are sending someone to pick the old one for £ 20 too, this is
going to happen in the new year now. :D I have had to explain to
them that she has no catalytic convertor and no oxygen sensor either.
I will have to learn how to put photo,s on the forum myself, now the
weather is taking a turn. :!:
Anyway that,s all folks for today anyway.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
x 2

Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear All
Today I went to Aylsford to pick some parts up for the BX, when I was
stopped at a 3 lane junction, first in the queue to set of when the traffic
lights change to green, with the obligatry large jugonaut welded to my
rear bumper, when the lights turned green I let the clutch up and the
throttle down, but nothing happened :shock: I put the throttle to the
floor still nothing. did all that 3 times in all and still nothing :? by this
time the lorry and the traffic managed to avoid me, phew :!: at this
point the car died. :( at this point I put the hazzards on, I tried to
restart the car but even with no throttle or full trottle still no go :!: I
rang my wife and told her that the car had broken down and would not
start. :oops: and that the anti stall didn,t kick in like it should do. :shock:
I thought I would try it again, and thankfully it restarted and I mana-
ged to get home some 8 miles without further problems.
The thing was I was in my wifes 3 year old Astra motability car which
has only covered 7,700 miles from new
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Post by MULLEY »

Could that be a coil breaking up? Or does the throttle work electronically via sensor rather than mechanical set-up like the BX?
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
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Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Matthew.
Thanks so much Matthew for your really kind suggestions and on a
Vauxhall too, I am most imprest and very very greatfull for kindness
Matthew :)
We had an RAC man out yesterday who couldn,t find anything
wrong, but that it should go to the garage for futher inspection. The
problem was the garage which is new to us wouldn,t come and pick it
up through fear of it breaking down on them :lol: :lol: :lol:
We rang motability and told them the car had broken down on Wed.
and what had happened etc. only for them to say that they were going
to get a secound opinion from another RAC man, ( very nice man )
he thoroughly examined the car and said that it was dangerous in
it,s current state, and after 2 hours he agreed that someone had to
break the deadlock with the garage refusing to come and get it. so
he picked the car up this morning at 10 o,clock on his breakdown
truck and delivered it to the dealer, which was very nice of him to
do.
Now I am having to quickly charge the battery on my SAAB now
so that if we need to go anywhere, we can :wink:
The BX TXi is currently on axle stands after me doing the water
pump, cambelt and tensioner, which is all done and put back together
again and starts and runs spot on first time, I am just waiting for a
radiator to arrive at the moment, which should have arrived on
Wed too, but I rang them today, to find it went to the wrong area of
the country and I won,t get that until Mon. now. :roll:
Anyway Matthew, I hope you have got to be having a MUCH
better week than we are Mat.
Right all the very best and keep in touch Matthew OK.
Vince. :wink:
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
x 2

Vince,s Blog

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear All.
I just thought I would update my thread today, with whats been happening.
The new radiator finally arrived the other day, had 2 arrive at the same
time from the same delivery van. I have rung them and let them know
but as yet they still haven,t picked it up yet.
I have fitted the new radiator, with a new cap, thermoswitch and new
antifreeze again, bled the cooling system and all seems to be spot on
with no problems :wink:
I am in contact with a company who is prepared to supply me with a
new stainless steel exhaust system for the money I have to spend, not
including the manifold, they are even picking the old one up from me,
to use as a pattern for £ 20. Which is really good of them to do that.
it won,t be until the new year now.
I have contacted Barry at BCC yesterday to try and get some parts
that I am after, and I am just waiting for him to finish moving house
first. so fingers crossed on those.
I carried out a service on her whilst I was doing the cambelt etc. inc.
oil and filter, fuel filter, air filter, new plugs and wiperblades :wink:
Wife,s astra back now, couldn,t find anything wrong, no surprise
there then :roll:
All The Best.
Vince.
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
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