More comfy in the cold

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RobC
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More comfy in the cold

Post by RobC »

So it's pretty chilly in the UK at the moment.

Does anyone else find that their BX rides better when the temperature is below 5 degrees C or so? Mine feels less jerky over the bumps and less wafty around corners.

And if so, is it more to do with the nitrogen in the spheres being denser or the LHM being thicker (or maybe both...)?

My GCSE physics isn't fresh in my memory so happy to be educated...
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Vanny
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by Vanny »

Viscosity of the LHM i would imagine, it's not the most stable hydrualic fluid in the world.

I wonder if Total would like to give us the spec sheet for it?
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by MULLEY »

I'd agree with Vanny, the lhm becomes thicker, hence my powersteering has started to become stiff again :(
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by citronut »

they usually ride better when the ambient temperature is higher rather than lower, as the Nitrogen in the spheres expands as it gets hotter

regards malcolm
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by KevR »

citronut wrote:they usually ride better when the ambient temperature is higher rather than lower, as the Nitrogen in the spheres expands as it gets hotter
And the tyre sidewalls are more flexible...
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by Des Smith »

MULLEY wrote:powersteering has started to become stiff again :(
Be grateful you have power assistance of any kind! Some of us have to grab large handfuls of steering wheel ALL the time!
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by Vanny »

citronut wrote: as the Nitrogen in the spheres expands as it gets hotter
Enough to significantly alter suspension response?
I cant believe temperature change would have much impact when the pressure of the nitrogen is quite high to begin with. Given under bonnet temperatures of around 80c+ i can't see that the ambient would have a significant influence. I don't understand/remember ideal gas equations sufficiently, but after some quick back of an envelope calculations i'd guess that the nitrogen pressure on a BX sphere wouldn't change by more than a hand full of bar under normal use from UK summer to UK winter?


Given the length of piping and its exposure to the elements, i can easily imagine LHM viscosity dropping substantially over a 30c range, although the viscosity will obvious be a factor of the oils component mixture.
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by Dollywobbler »

Des Smith wrote:
MULLEY wrote:powersteering has started to become stiff again :(
Be grateful you have power assistance of any kind! Some of us have to grab large handfuls of steering wheel ALL the time!
Believe me, that's better than random assistance! You end up looking quite drunk as you weave around bends. The Green Tiger is still prone to this. TXD did do it for a bit, then stopped. Haven't actually got around to flushing it yet - self-healing BX!
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electrokid
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by electrokid »

Does anyone else find that their BX rides better when the temperature is below 5 degrees C or so? Mine feels less jerky over the bumps and less wafty around corners.
You might have spheres on the way out ! I seem to remember a couple of years ago we went from cold winter weather to quite springlike temperatures - maybe a hike of 10 degrees or so and as it warmed up so the back end started bouncing and was very uncomfortable. New spheres were fitted asap of course, but the symptoms seemed to follow the rise in temperature and went from unnoticeable to very uncomfortable over the space of only a couple of weeks.

I don't think there should be any difference winter to summer but I think maybe the cold weather can cover up a problem to an extent - apart from the PS intermittancy which is definitely a cold weather thing.
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by citronut »

Vanny wrote:
citronut wrote: as the Nitrogen in the spheres expands as it gets hotter
Enough to significantly alter suspension response?
I cant believe temperature change would have much impact when the pressure of the nitrogen is quite high to begin with. Given under bonnet temperatures of around 80c+ i can't see that the ambient would have a significant influence. I don't understand/remember ideal gas equations sufficiently, but after some quick back of an envelope calculations i'd guess that the nitrogen pressure on a BX sphere wouldn't change by more than a hand full of bar under normal use from UK summer to UK winter?


Given the length of piping and its exposure to the elements, i can easily imagine LHM viscosity dropping substantially over a 30c range, although the viscosity will obvious be a factor of the oils component mixture.
all the hydraulic citroens i have owned always ride better/smoother if and when we get hotter weather

regards malcolm
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by electrokid »

if and when
:lol: :lol:
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by kiwi »

I know from my records that both the BX petrol and Diesel are far more fuel efficant in summer than winter! Diesl more noticeable than the petrol however have noticed the diesel more sluggish in the colder temperatures.

As for the ride I have not noticed and been driving BXs for 20 odd years now I do notice the differance between BXs though.
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citsncycles
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by citsncycles »

Dunno about the ride, but I certainly notice a difference on how quickly the suspension settles when cold with both BX's and GS's.

Like Kiwi, It's the fuel economy I notice, although I'd argue the GS is hit worse than the BX, possibly because air cooled cars are effected more by cold ambient temperature
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by RobC »

Interesting debate. I must be going mad then! Either that or it's slightly thicker LHM as Vanny surmised.

btw my front struts are nearly new, the LHM is fresh, and my spheres are all less than a year old.
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Re: More comfy in the cold

Post by Mothman »

I have noticed that the diesel engine performs better when its been raining. Especially noticed this with my Toyota Hilux. Must be the water vapour in the air causing better combustion.

Andy
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