Mk1 BX 19RD Estate RHD! A new home

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:33 am

Ian,

if you want one of the diesel primer pumps, just like the one you showed, i have one zackly the same in its box unused. Cost me a tenner so thats what i would want for it.

Andy

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 5:31 pm

Oddly, the BX seems to be running a lot better. I don't think it enjoyed the splash (5 litres) of petrol I gave it before Christmas...(or rather, the petrol settled on top of the diesel I imagine). Now it's cleared the unleaded out, it's running much better, albeit still a little flat. Steering is also ok. It judders at tickover when going from lock to lock, but is behaving fine out on the open road.

Am heading to the Midlands to see Roverman on Tuesday. Hope the BX makes it...

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:26 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:
Am heading to the Midlands to see Roverman on Tuesday. Hope the BX makes it...

Im sure it will! Cant wait to see it!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:36 pm

Phew! That was a bit of a manic day. Tried leaving the house this morning, but the door latch froze open! Couldn't shut the door. Did briefly consider gaffer taping the door shut but opted to take my Maverick instead. Which promptly starting misfiring and making horrible brake noises. Attempt two ended in failure as well.

However, the door latch had defrosted by now, so decided to go in the BX after all, having cleared the ice from the INSIDE of the windows... (there was none on the outside!!).

It was slow, it was cold (new 'stat needed) but the BX was actually on pretty good form for the 260 odd miles covered today. I think the RH front caliper might be binding a bit. Doesn't generate loads of heat, but does get warmer than the other side and makes an infuriating squeak!

I managed a sat-nav 75mph downhill at one point, but the engine is still very flat. Won't pull beyond 3000rpm at all. Wondering if it could be the fuelling being turned down at some point? Or just the suspected air leak perhaps...

Thanks for the doors/seats Tim! I look forward to fitting them.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:04 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:I think the RH front caliper might be binding a bit.

Hmmm, that won't help performance....but I reckon it would be more than slightly warm if it was having a significant effect. Hinge pin removing tool is a worthwhile investment, unless you fancy heading up north one day?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:17 pm

That's what I thought Mat. When the Saab 9000 I had suffered a seized caliper, the brake disc got VERY hot even though I didn't top 30mph in a half mile drive! Seems just enough to make it squeak.

Haven't got the door pin tool, but Tim managed to get the doors off without one, so I'll see how I get on. Won't be happening any time soon I don't think, as the doors all need stripping so all the kit can be swapped over. I've got two blue doors, one beige and one white! All much better than what's currently fitted...

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:41 pm

Dollywobbler wrote: Thanks for the doors/seats Tim! I look forward to fitting them.

My pleasure, glad they are of use, also fabulous to finally see the MK1 Estate in all its battered glory, thanks for the burger, egg and chips! Mad me fart all evening which is always humourous!

It looks like this MK1 has a later engine fitted, with the round port style air intake, or at least the head.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:01 pm

Could that be the issue about the performance?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:05 pm

In theory, that should make it faster!

One other thing. The windscreen washer was bloody hopeless, as they are, on the way there. On the way back, the tube popped off at the base of the wiper arm. As long as I was moving, it worked much better! Very tempting to ditch the useless spray bar and just fit some proper jets. I do get fed up with not being able to see. I do hate how the automated wiper always seems to travel at least one wipe too many as well. Just enough to start smearing again.

Post by **Defender110** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:05 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:I think the RH front caliper might be binding a bit. Doesn't generate loads of heat, but does get warmer than the other side and makes an infuriating squeak!.

Don't forget the hand brake operates on the front as well and slight brake bind can also be the HB cable sticking and in need of replacement rather than seized pins.

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:14 pm

Aye. Always worth a check. Two cars with brake binding issues to look at in the next few days...

EDIT - just had a thought. What 'stat am I after? It looks like the same housing as the Green Tiger (ie held into the housing with a circlip). What one should it have? Just want to make sure I don't order the wrong one...

Post by **Tim Leech** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:47 am

I would say looking at Ian yesterday it has the later type engine/head so i would go for a thermostat for a Mk 2 71bhp engine.

I couldnt say if the two heads are interchangeable but cant imagine the block and pistons would have changed?.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:16 am

There's (at least) two different thermostat housings fitted to the 71bhp engines - the (fun!) circlip type and the one just held in by the hose stub. From what I can see the latter type was 1992ish onwards.

Regarding the windscreen washer, I may have thought up a cunning modification whilst on my way to work this morning (also without washer). I'll post up details in the Tech section...

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:02 pm

Is the circlip one the larger one I take it?

The back seat has been folded down for some months now, as I've collected a fair amount of stuff courtesy of Andy "Artic-Steel" and Tim. I just lifted up the seat back and it was soaking! And frozen...

Turns out a lot of water has pooled there at some point. Good job I've got a new interior, but I'd better find out where the water's coming from before folding the new seats down... I haven't even dared fit them yet!

Jayboy · Post by **Jayboy** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:05 pm

Both the van and TZi fill with water and as yet I haven't figured out where it comes from. Bloody annoying!