BX Newbie

[skattrd]

Hi all,
just a quick hello as I've recently acquired my first Citroen, a BX 19RD estate (formerly of RobT) I swapped it for my R25.
First impressions are I don't hate it, theres a couple of things I need sorted asap though.
The drivers seat feels like it has a metal bar near the top that presses in to my back. Is there something I can do about this or does it need a replacement seat? If so are there any other seats that will fit a bx?
The drivers window doesn't close properly without assistance, it's like it comes slightly off a runner or something near the top. Is this common? easy fix?

Anyway, the drive home from Cambridge (where we met for the swap) was fine, the engine doesn't feel as gutless as I was expecting. The clutch is stiff and juddery and the brakes, while good, have an odd feel to them, but I can live with these. I am slightly concerned about the amount of diesel I appear to have used, 1/4 of a tank for 80 miles, I'm hoping the gauge is being a bit French.

Chris
ps. I use several car forums so if you've seen the username elsewhere its probably me

[Tim Leech]

Citroen brakes take some getting used too, the fuel gauges arent that accurate either. If the clutch us stiff, try replacingly the cable first and greasing the arm on top of the box.

[kiwi]

Testify to the fuel gauge issue! Some the gauge hardly moves and then drops like a stone while others just go down slowly! Still getting used to the diesel myself so watching the fuel gauge it does take a while to move however when it gets to Empty , I still do not know if the light actually works because I seem to fill up with no more than 54 litres (out of a 66 litre tank).

Only way to get an idea of the fuel consumption is to fill to the brim measure distance then fill to brim again. Otherwise you just guessing.

Other than that Seats should be easy to come by for a BX from another BX! Window not sure of that problem you described.

Brakes as roverman said they are wickedly good!!!

Clutch! Again rule out your options but a replacement clutch maybe an option and worthwhile at the end of the day if it is slipping and the cause of your suspected high fuel consumption!

Final tip take the handbrake off that helps with the gutless and heavy fuel consumption....lol

[KevR]

Most estates (later ones certainly but I don't know when they started fitting them) have an extra fuel tank which gives another 10 litres or so capacity, but because the gauge sender is in the original tank, thegauge stays at 'full' until the aux tank is empty and you've made inroads into the main tank, then it appears to plummet. A healthy n/a diesel ought to be able to manage 50mpg fairly easily and (assuming you've got the extra tank) you should get 550 miles out of a tank and probably more . As a rule of thumb, if it takes more than one litre per 10 miles driven, that's less than 45mpg so either there's something wrong or you have a lead foot!

Brakes are indeed a bit strange - you're not really pushing the pedal to generate force, more like opening a tap to allow pressure through. You can improve the feel a bit by bleeding them through to get fresh fluid at the calipers.

Juddery clutch could well be the cable and/or gearbox arm as has been said. But if it's been sat for a while it could be corrosion or contamination on the plate, which should go away with use. If it doesn't get better in a couple of days, fit a new cable, and definitely try and get some lubrication on the clutch arm.

Window. You're almost certainly right that it's come off the runner, but it's probably because the runner's rotted out, so you'll need to replace it. Might be easier to find a window with a good one fitted.

[Tim Leech]

Some of the hatches also have the bigger tank, GTi/16v and some top spec diesels.

[KevR]

Some of the hatches also have the bigger tank, GTi/16v and some top spec diesels.

Didn't know that! I did however just remember that my 1987 TRS estate didn't have it, while both my TZDs (1990 and 1991) do. So presumably it was introduced somewhere in between.

[Tim Leech]

My 19TZI has the bigger tank, but the 16TRS doesnt, the GT doesnt but my ex 19TZD did!

[skattrd]

Cheers for the welcome guys.
I filled up the tank this morning as I'm going to be using it a bit for work for a few days (prob 6-700 miles) and for the first 70 miles this morning the gauge doesn't appear to have moved at all, so it sounds like I have the bigger tank - whats the capacity?
I was quite surprised to see that mine was the first bx on fuelly (sad people mpg monitor) no data for me yet, but won't be long

My thoughts with the clutch were to see if it frees off any this week whilst running around in the car, if not change the cable.

I'm guessing from the lack of response that no-ones got a spare drivers seat they're looking to get rid off ... I may just gaffer tape some foam to the seat for now

[mat_fenwick]

I was quite surprised to see that mine was the first bx on fuelly

Not the first! I know JayW and Kiwi also use it, so if you are sad, at least you're not alone.

[skattrd]

I was quite surprised to see that mine was the first bx on fuelly

Not the first! I know JayW and Kiwi also use it, so if you are sad, at least you're not alone.

I didn't expect to be the first on there, but as BX wasn't in the drop down list of options for Citroens I assumed it hadn't been on there before.
Anyway I didn't know they did a 1.9 td, I thought the turbo d bx's were all 1.7's .. I'll admit to not knowing much about these cars now, ok

[docchevron]

Citroen never made a 19TD, but a couple have been retro fitted by some sad people

[mat_fenwick]

There never was a factory 1.9 turbo diesel (although there was a confusingly named 19TD van fitted with a 1.9 N/A engine). I put in a Xantia engine about 4 years/65k miles ago now. Not for any real reason, just for fun and because I had it.

EDIT - I would appear to be one of those sad people, on multiple counts!

[Defender110]

My thoughts with the clutch were to see if it frees off any this week whilst running around in the car, if not change the cable.

Taking off the clutch arm on top of the box is the first 'no cost' option to try. The arms have been known to start siezeing up due to dirt ingress on the pivot bolt. The arms have also been known to split with later ones being reinforced. Both the arm and pivot bolt are usually still available on fleabay if needed.

[MULLEY]

On my TXD which has the 66 litre tank, i regularly get over 700 miles before re-fuelling, my best was 810 which i've never managed to replicate, v-strange? Either way, if you hammer a 1.9 n/a it'll probably do low 40's mpg & take it steady & i've managed 58mpg average on a tankful before, but i usually average 50-53mpg. My TZD Turbo (when it was working) managed a lowely 36mpg when i used to boot it at every opportunity from the traffic lights, i loved that old fashioned diesel turbo surge which you don't get with modern motors, haha....

My low level fuel warning light starts to flicker on & off when i've got approx 150 miles left in before re-fuelling, & i usually just make sure i don't exceed 100 miles from when the flickering starts, that avoids running out I've usually done over 200 miles before i start to see the fuel guage starting to move.

[kiwi]

All my BXs have 66 litre tanks! Its feels a bit strange though going from the Diesel to the ptrol BXs because I get roughly the same litres per mile in the diesel as litres per km in the petrol. When I do the conversion from miles to Kms is a nice feeling the range of the diesel.