BX Athena Update

[Tinkley]

Hi All
An update on the BX Athena I bought almost a year ago thanks to a pointer on this forum.

Firstly she has just passed her MOT which is good news. Work involved after initial failure was a couple of nothing issues ie side light bulb and horn too weak (poor earth) and some more serious stuff. Mainly the big octopus had to be replaced - thanks to GSF and PTS Developments in Wokingham. The offside caliper was weeping after brake pad replacement which was cured by almost popping the piston thoroughly cleaning and re-seating and bleeding. The other one was strange a 4.6% CO reading caused by a messed around carb. I took th carb out my old Athena and the reading was 0.14%. Moral of story is do not mess too much with the carb beyond thorough cleaning, Though I did slightly alter the factory set screw to open the butterfly on the second choke by about 1/10th turn.

She's run OK since I bought her but with the choke disconnected (by previous owner) was a pain in the snow and ice over the winter. She also benefited from an engine oil flush as she 'lost' oil in the engine when hot ie not on dipstick somewhere trapped in crankcase. Oil level indicator not working, clock not working, low level water in rad not working ie permanently on warning light. otherwise not too bad.

I did the three front spheres and have changed and cleaned the LHM, new HT leads (one was shot) rear sphers to go. Front offside wheel bearing also replaced as well as both front flexi brake pipes. So not too bad for 11k miles so far at relatively reasonable cost. Bodywork not bad for age a few bits already welded
but nothing other than usual spots. Tracking seems OK both front tyres reshod with Michelin Energy boots as it had the original blistering Michelin on one side on buying it!.

A few jobs still to do like rad flush and maybe even a hydra flush as the belt seems to keep squeaking despite being very tight and a replaced idler. Done the Hyraulic and alternator belts too though hardly
totally knackered.

Anyway nice to keep the old girl running - at virtually 100ps per tonne these are good spec vehicles for group 5 insurance. Now whats that? 150ps maybe 180 for an equivalent modern vehicle. At up to a true world achieved 50mpg (cruising at 70mph) find me a politician who can say an 80% heavier larger tyred and bigger braked vehicle is greener! they all do unfortunately. Now why do F1 cars not weigh 5 tonnes?

Now if I put in a lightweight modern diesel probably 70-80mpg - but the same 1991 road tax - nuff said.

Anyway keep these old BX on the road. PTS know of someone breaking a TZD turbo in red but repairable.
Contact Pete if interested in the car or parts.

Cheers
Tim

[Defender110]

Anyway keep these old BX on the road. PTS know of someone breaking a TZD turbo in red but repairable.
Contact Pete if interested in the car or parts.

Cheers
Tim

Its better off as a parts car, Its RED!

[Tim Leech]

Kevan, theres lots of good people on here with red cars so be nice

Well done Tim, any pics?

[Defender110]

Doh! ok

It's better off as a parts car, it's RED... and could be used to keep other lovely pretty red BX's on the road

better?

[Tim Leech]

Doh! ok

It's better off as a parts car, it's RED... and could be used to keep other lovely pretty red BX's on the road

better?

err no. Were all different on here (me more than most)