Retire or repair??

[themildbunch]

As you may have read thanks to a little bit of rubber the engine and turbo on our BX Estate has had it:

http://www.bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic ... 72#p191872

I have to make a decision about what to do next...

This car isn't mint by but I've done alot of work to it over the last couple of years and I really don't want to scrap it but unless I find a replacement engine and DIY the swap the cost of paying someone to do that would be excessive and probably outweigh the value of a good similar TD Estate even with their prices rising.

Two options I'm considering:

1. Unless anyone has a known good 1.7 TD or 1.9 TD engine to sell I think buying an old 405 TD or similar and running it for a while to check the engine before trying my first swap would be my option of choice.

2. Dismantling all the parts that would be helpful to keep or offer to the forum before scrapping the shell. I can't face the thought of just getting it towed as it is as many of the parts are pretty new and harder to find now. Can't really do this on the street though so would have to find temporary off road parking.

[KevR]

Fix it. No question. Anything you buy to replace it will need at least as much effort and time as you've put into this one.
I'm just going through the same with my 'spare' BX. Took it off the road five years ago when the water pump went and the exhaust fell off at the same time as I got the other one. Now resurrecting it, having taken the decision that although it would be less hassle in the short term to get another one, in the long term I know this one's history and what has/hasn't been done to it.

Engine swap's an easy DIY job really - and gives you the chance to clean/inpect/sort out all the gubbins that's normally a right bastard to get at on the TDs.

As it happens, I know of a good complete engine going cheap. Might mean a day trip to Normandy though...

[themildbunch]

Fix it. No question.

As it happens, I know of a good complete engine going cheap. Might mean a day trip to Normandy though...

Yes, this is what I'd like to do - and the old one needed a new clutch soon anyway so all that stuff would be easy to do and a good learning process for my spannering skills...

Maybe interested in the engine, any more info - don't you come to the UK quite often??

[KevR]

Yes, I'm in the UK quite often, but frequently by motorbike, which makes transporting engines a bit tricky! I'm sure something could be arranged though - lots of people coming backwards and forwards, and I do need to go back and pick up half a Land Rover chassis from Dorset sometime soon so maybe that might offer possibilities of sharing ferry costs.

The engine's currently in a French-reg LHD Millesime. Owned by Paul W who's sometimes on here. Was running fine, don't know the mileage but I'll be seeing him tomorrow so will find out more. He's breaking the car for spares for his own Millesime but his is a 1.9 N/A so engine's not a lot of good to him, and I've already got a low(ish) mileage spare. I will be nicking the injectors and pump though, but otherwise as far as I know the complete motor/turbo is up for grabs. If it's of interest I've got a spare Bosch pump and injectors - I know everyone says they're better than the Lucas ones, but I've never had a major problem with the Lucas version and would prefer to keep the same on both cars (also, it's a sod to change the glow plugs with the Bosch pump fitted).

[Tim Leech]

Theres BOUND to be a 1.7/1.9TD engine somewhere around, decents bxs are really rare now and if youve done most of the big jobs then thats half the battle won.

[themildbunch]

Yeah, I'm sure there is too - just didn't plan on all this at the moment, isn't it always the way... To be honest space to work on this is the main issue at the moment where I can take my time. Although I do know of some storage / workshop space I could rent temporarily in Bristol to do a swap..

A definitive list of cars that used the same 1.7 TD XUD9 engine would be great, so far I know:

Citroen BX TD / DTR
Peugeot 405 SRDT
Citroen Berlingo??
Didn't a Rover 400/800 use one too?

[Tim Leech]

Xantia?

[mds141]

C15 van for a N/A.

[citsncycles]

If it wouldn't hit the insurance too hard, I'd consider a 1.9td - if nothing else, they're probably easier to find having been fitted to ZX, Xantia and Berlingo models, as well as Pug 309 and 405 and a host of other vehicles including Rovers, LDV's, Umm's and maybe even Fiats.

[mat_fenwick]

It was the Rover 200 and 400 which had the 1769cc TD. As Mike mentions, the 405 had the 1905cc TD but the 309 & 205 had the non intercooled 1769cc TD. The 306 had the 1.9, as did Xantias and early Xsaras but beware the low pressure 75bhp turbo with a cat (I think badged SD).

If you're prepared to do the work, keeping it is a no brainer IMO. I'd only get rid of it if you couldn't face doing the work.

[themildbunch]

If you're prepared to do the work, keeping it is a no brainer IMO. I'd only get rid of it if you couldn't face doing the work.

I agree.. I'm happy to tackle this if I can find the space...

Got a suspicion though my classic policy doesn't like modified cars so I may need to stick to the 1.7 td. Didn't the early 405's have the 1769 engine?

[citsncycles]

It may be worth shopping round a bit with the insurance, as some mind more than others.

Sureterm are very good for both modified and kit cars - they were happy to insure my Lomax for daily use.

My Series 1 Land Rover is running a mix of series 2a & 3 running gear, and I've always managed to insure it for around £100. Footman James wanted a huge set of forms filling out, but Adrian Flux has happy with a just declaration that no structural modifications were necessary, while others didn't even need that as it was all Land Rover components.

My brother once ran a VW Type 3 Fastback, which he decided to modify, with race tuned engine, lowered suspension, type 4 wheels, Porsche interior and detrimmed exterior with earlier front lights. His insurance company (I'll have to check which) only objected to the removal of the trim, saying he would have to insure it as a modified/custom car, not a classic, then quoted him a lower premium for it!

Whatever you decide to do, give a yell if you a hand - I'm busy on shift until the 16th, but have time off after that, so could come and help with some of the stuff that needs an extra pair of hands. I even have a hoist I can bring down!

[Dollywobbler]

Thought all Pug 306 TDs were 1.9, same as the ZX. Could be wrong! Mine was a 1996 and was definitely 1.9TD. The 1.9TD was also fitted for a time to the Citroen Synergie (plus Fiat and Peugeot equivalents) and the three subsequent van versions of same. Of course, anything non-hydro would need a camshaft swap (anything else?).

[Tim Leech]

The 405 was a the same engine line up as the bx so had the 1769cc td. Some xantias as Mat says had a non intercooled 1.9td unit with about 80bhp but they are rare.

[mat_fenwick]

The 405 was a the same engine line up as the bx so had the 1769cc td.

Not quite! I mistakenly thought that the 405 only had the 1.9TD, but on double checking in tuns out the pre 1992 versions had the 1769cc TD engine. I'd only worked on later ones hence my wrong assumption they all had the 1.9 TD. Pretty sure the early 406s had the 1.9TD too.