A bit of a headbanger.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sun May 27, 2007 9:51 am

The TZi that I'm currently ripping the mechanical gizzards out of and refurbishing also managed to rot a hydraulic pipe off in a strange place; just as it leaves the LHM tank, so no sweat says I, I'll get a new one from Sydney town.
Rang and ordered, parts guy wasn't fazed at which one it was and it duly arrived.
I've been tied up with the things wot make it go and make noises, so I left the fitting of this octopus to the boys who proceed to tell me it's different. I had a look at it and it does seem that way as there are 3 tubes leading from the bit that connects to the tank, but every other one we have here only has 2.

When I inspected it closer (obviously closer than they had)

I notice that there is a "T" connection at the bottom end so presumeably that has to connect onto something; anybody got a clue as to what?
The part I have is in a packet that says "Hyd ret pipe" (Hydraulic return pipe) and is shown as part number 95 603 421. I'm pretty certain it could be the right bit, but any chance someone can confirm and advise what I'm supposed to shove into that bottom T as I would prefer to have this all in and running before I reinstal the mechanicals.
Thanx in advance.

Alan S

ellevie · Post by **ellevie** » Sun May 27, 2007 2:51 pm

Alan, the T junction branches off to the Flow Distributor whilst the main pipe continues on to the Power Steering valve.

See item 1, page 177 of the BX parts list at http://rammstein.dfmk.hu/~xminfo/bx2_19.pdf

And also pipe "B" on the Japanese site: www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~ynar/bxorg_archives/m15/m15e.html

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:59 pm

Amazing what bouncing questions and ideas around does; think I see it all now.
With the diagram off the Japanese sight, it shows returns from F & R h/cs as 2 pipes (which corresponds with mine from all accounts) but it appears that mine returns from the steering pinion alongside the other 2 whilst on the diagram and obviously on most other BXs, it runs back from the flow distributor and is "T"eed into the line adjacent to it. This on other cars must then be that line that is saddled onto thet bracket that the HP lines go through between the engine and the bellhousing.
Sounds about like my luck, 3.5 million cars made with one octopus and one made with a different one.......gues which one I get every time?

Thanks again mate, you've been most helpful and probably saved the embarrassment of me sending this thing back halfway round the country so I could get a totally different one back which would then have meant cap in hand begging for this one to be returned.

Alan S

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sun May 27, 2007 10:06 pm

Alan, there are types of mini octopus. One has two side branch return pipes. After RP 5167 this changed to a 3 side branch octopus when the return from the steering ram was picked up on the third pipe at the tank level instead of at a T below the FD.

You can tell which one you need by looking at the steering overflow return. This starts as a metal pipe - if it continues to the front of the subframe you have a 2 return octopus p/no 95603421. If it turns to the RHS along the rear of the subframe you have a 3 return mini p/no 96119048........................

No need to ask how I know this !!ff.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Sun May 27, 2007 10:23 pm

The problem seems to be that short of going to a stealer and waiting for months for him to get it in, the parts guy here seems to only carry this one for this application, so am I right in saying that if I were to T in to the steering return via a tube that goes from the steering to this T near the F/D that it would work or is there some reason that I need to somehow get that 3 tube version?
As I said earlier, another problem is that the parts guy is around 1300 klms away from me, so time and freight costs start to get a bit prohibitive. (ie) Part cost $88 plus postage $20 each way, dealers were $125 + p & p, which is why I'm looking for options.
Thanks for the input; if I'd have spent this much effort in the first place, I probably wouldn't be in strife now. If nothing else, it's a "live and learn" exercise.

Alan S

Jaba · Post by **Jaba** » Sun May 27, 2007 11:22 pm

Yes it is simply a different route for the steering return LHM. Its quite high volume but you can make up your own plumbing with a T to achieve the same thing.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:11 pm

OK, reorganised the (rubber) plumbing and all is well.
Got everything back in and just into the final adjustments and fitting any vagrant hoses and things usually found wandering around under the bonnet when you do these jobs, but the old bugger had to have one last laugh at us.
Decided before we got too deep into reassembly of bits and bobs, I'd just hit the key and hear her roar. Err, no; not going to happen, dead as a Dodo. Poked around with meters and things and eventually found a wire off that %$&)( plug near the battery that got pulled off when the air cleaner went in. Tested the plugs to the relays for the fuel injection and again got a crazy reading off the one that woked the sparks. Fiddled with the igniter and bingo............the beast lives.
Sounds a million bucks, so all happy. Will get everything back into position tommorrow and hopefully will be able to take it for a run up the road to see how it fares.
Overall cost was A$1300 for rings, big ends, gaskets and seals, Valeo clutch assembly and this included A$500 for the local machine shop to do the head including the shims on the tappets. Got one happy boy now he's back to a BX for such a amall amount; better than buying a new car that's for certain.

Alan S