4X4 Estate

cxprestigeauto · Post by **cxprestigeauto** » Thu May 15, 2008 5:49 pm

Well been and done it now!

Just acquired a 1990 4X4 estate. Generously donanted by a Citroeniste who wanted the car to go to a good(?) home.

The car is 1990 in a metallic mid blue(?) with a good grey interior. Externally the car is excellent. The O/S headlight is loose (I have a CX fitting that may cure this) and it has one of those silly 1990's immobilisers that is a 7.6mm jack plug. Unfortunately the immobiliser has died so you have to hot wire the car to start it:oops:

The other job that needs doing is new gear stick bushes as the stick is rather sloppy!

Obviously the first job is to extract the immobiliser and restore the key to full starting duties. Then a full service and MoT, oh and a valet before my wife sees it!!!!

The car has done 75K and seems in well cared for order (It is on a full set of elderly Michelin Energy tyres). I will put it over the pit in the next few days to check the underside.

It is a long time since I ran a BX so I may require a bit of help over the next few weeks

Rob

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:43 pm

Well done that man and welcome to the club!

Not only are there not many Estates here I don't think there's any 4WD estates! And you've come to the right place for BX empathy and advice

Any chance of some pics?

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Thu May 15, 2008 9:11 pm

Yep - welcome on board.

Your login name suggests some experience with CX'es ?
- which certainly is a good basis for BX diy'ing

As mentioned - the BX 4x4 is now a rare beast. Lucky you have found such a low miler

The BX hydraulics (even in the 4x4) is almost exactly as found in the CX, with these major differences :
1) no brakes accumulator, only the main accumulator found on the PR.
2) servo assisted power steering of conventional design (PAS type)
3) the PR has an extra pipe port for the odd 2-part damper hydraulic hose
4) there is a special priority valve for the power steering, named the FDV (flow distribution valve), residing on the front flange of the gearbox
5) the front suspension cylinders are of a special construction to fit the McPherson suspension layout.

Specials for the BX 4x4
1) the rear spheres are moved away from the end of the suspension cylinders, to clear the rear drive axles.
This is done by using a special cup on end of the cylinder to connect via an 8mm angled pipe to the sphere fitted on an angled bracket.
2) the fuel tank is of a very un-usual design having a large cut out in the middle to clear the transaxle and exhaust pipe. This again means necessity of a special construction to move fuel from one half to another half of the tank. A dedicated electric fuel pump is used for that. The pump is immersed in the LHS half part of the tank and controlled by an electronic box and a pressure sensor. By this setup fuel is constantly moved from RHS of halftank to the other side, to keep the engine fuel suction pipe immersed.
The standard fuel pump and fuel filter is located under the bottom of the rear.
The tank protrudes a bit more down under the bottom than on 2x2's to still contain same amount of fuel. Therefore a protection plate is fitted under each side on front of the tank.
3) the exhaust is of a very special design. Hard to source and thus quite expensive. It is however quite possible to make up yourself using standard 2" parts.
4) the spare wheel cage and spare wheel is discarded to clear the rear axle and the exhaust box.
5) the front subframe is of special design to clear the transaxle box.
6) consequently the front antirollbar is also of special design
7) and therefore also the front ARB-to-HC rod is special. The ARB adjuster clamp is almost insanely hidden behind the transmision

No fun adjusting the front height then

Looking forward to read more on your findings

Brian King · Post by **Brian King** » Fri May 16, 2008 2:57 pm

My congratulations too. Am I right in thinking that this has the GTi engine? I have a complete 4x4 exhaust system in iffy condition which i am keeping as a template in case any 4x4 owner wants to copy any of it. I also met someone today who said he was very very interested in buying a 4x4 (no he did not have a triangular head)

M · Post by M » Fri May 16, 2008 4:10 pm

Brave man, very very brave.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Fri May 16, 2008 6:43 pm

If you find the colour code on the l/h inner wing, then it cn ne identified here or from the BX DIY site colour info.

If you need a BX headlamp adjuster mounting screw, I can send you one from a choice of several - send a PM from the forum with your details, and I'll post it on. I'm referring to the ball-head threaded bolts which locate in the lugs in the back of the headlamp, and anchor adjustably on the front valance.

You have my sympathies on the immobiliser - I have removed a couple of alarm systems from BXs, including one in the last couple of weeks. It's a pain but it obviously can be done - hopefully it won't be like the first I did, where every wire was a black-sheathed one! I'd gladly respond to a PM on the subject if I could be of any assistance - I certainly don't want to compromise anyone's existing alarm system on a public forum, though. I am unfamiliar with the kind of immobiliser you mention, though.

I the subject of 4x4s, I went round recently to see an ex-Citroen mechanic who used to work on BXs when they were new, then turned slf-employed and used to service and repair mine in Hampshire when I still had all work done by someone else. He still has a number of customers with BXs.

The last time I visited (some months ago), he had a customer's red GTi 4x4 off to one side of his workshop that he was working on. Earlier this week, it was still there, though he tells me considerable progress has been made on the car, which he describes as very much a "long-term" project for his customer.....

Definitely to be considered in this light.

PS - met a farmer who traded a couple of sheep for a 4x4 estate.

cxprestigeauto · Post by **cxprestigeauto** » Sat May 17, 2008 12:32 am

Thanks for the support guys! Still not had a chance to look over the car in any real detail as it is at another property (with a big pit and garage!). I am hoping that the good condition and low milage will delay too many 4X4 woes!

This link should(?!) show photos:

http://www.citroencarclub.org.uk/PostNu ... es&fid=302

Rob

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Sat May 17, 2008 2:50 pm

This link should(?!) show photos:

Unfortunately not unless you're a CCC member.

cxprestigeauto · Post by **cxprestigeauto** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:58 pm

Sorry about that, did consider this may be a problem but I am unsure as to how to transfer photos from my machine to the forum site.

I will try harder. The car is VERY straight and just needs a thorough valet to be a real headturner.

Rob