Operation Blue Streak New Home Required, SOLD

Tell us about life with your BX, or indeed life in general!
User avatar
saintjamesy89
Over 2k
Posts: 2008
Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 8:01 pm
Location: Somerset
My Cars: 1985 Citroen BX19 GT
198x Citroen BX16 TRS auto
1988 Volvo 740 2.0 GL Hearse
1991 Saab 900 16v convertible
2007 Lexus RX 400h SE
x 134

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by saintjamesy89 »

The merry pipers are probably still en route, but it looked like they got a lot done today. 3 out of 4 pipes were correct, and two have been attached both ends, with one still needing to be attached at the front. By the condition of some of the pipes that were taken off, i'm very surprised there was only one leak!

It was bitterly cold, and I only arrived as they were finishing. We headed to mine to defrost/drink tea and chat, but i'm sure Tim/Paul will have taken photos, hats off to Mike for some serious BXing! Even in arctic conditions...
I'm not a Saint, or a James, but a Tom Saint-James!

Mes voitures:
1985 Citroen BX19 GT
1988 Volvo 740 2.0 GL Hearse
2006 Lexus RX 400h SE hybrid
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by citsncycles »

Yep - 3 of the front to rear pipes attached at the back, although I'm not certain the one I fitted to the height corrector is in the right port. Speaking of which, I had to remove the height corrector as both the fittings for the front to rear pipes were siezed in. The last pipe couldn't be fitted as it was the larger diameter ABS version.

The large hose clip on the filler to fuel tank joint was replaced as the old one had rotted through, then the rear subframe was temporarily bolted back in so that we could roll the car outside. I then helped Tim fit the replacement radiator he'd brought down before jacking the car back up, threading the new pipes down to the front and starting on the front connections before the cold finally started getting to me. Tom managed some more jobs while I was doing this (sphere changing I think), and while not as much as we'd have liked (as always) some real progress was made.

The anorak in me made some interesting discoveries, such as the front subframe being the same type as fitted to the later MK 1's, wih extra member running under the engine and gearbox, and the inlet into the engine bay for the air intake being different to the MK 1, meaning the inner wing is different. God I'm sad!

All in all a good day.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by mds141 »

Good job Mike. =D>
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15617
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 160

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Tim Leech »

Home at last! 13 hours and 350 miles, thanks so much Mike for you're help today. I need a brake return for a non abs BX it seems! But learned that 1.9 petrol and diesel radiators are identical,

She will need another day of fettling, some hose clips, carb fuel pipe and of course the pipes but most of the hard works done,

I'm off to thaw out!
Last edited by Tim Leech on Sun Mar 24, 2013 11:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
mds141
Over 2k
Posts: 5288
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:26 am
Location: Lancaster
x 9

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by mds141 »

Good job Tim. =D>
Mark Smith

Is it just me or is everything shit?

1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.

1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
User avatar
Paul296
Over 2k
Posts: 3483
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:39 pm
Location: Newark Nottinghamshire
My Cars: Citroen BX 17 TZD Hurricane
Citroen BX 17 TGD

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Paul296 »

Some pictures . . .

(I can confirm; it was bloody freezing! :shock: )

As we were arriving in Taunton, Tim happened to mention that there was a CCC member there who owned a black GSA and had just bought a BX. Presto hey! There he was in the Co-op buying loads of chocolate (or something). Anyway, we had bit of chat; 'we're all driving old Citroens aren't we?. That BX you bought is knackered. It's freezing. Bye (in short).

Image

Anyway, Mike quickly got to work mending all the things that often break underneath cars . . .

Image

We discovered that one of the replacement pipes was the wrong size. This is the 'cold and disappointed' shot . . .

Image

Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'; Tim managed it with practised ease.

Tim and Mike fitting the new radiator while I stood around (freezing). . .

Image

Everyone standing around (freezing) . . .

Image

Image

Image

That's it. I'm going to bed. It's freezing. :(
User avatar
mat_fenwick
Moderator
Posts: 7328
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:08 pm
Location: North Wales
x 20

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by mat_fenwick »

Paul296 wrote:Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'
I've never seen Mike without a big grin on his face! Is that plan still to replace the last pipe as well?
Image

1993 1.9 TZD Turbo Estate
1996 3.9 V8 Discovery
1993 VW LT35 campervan
1985 Hyundai Stellar V8
2016 Hyundai iLoad
Mickey taker
Over 2k
Posts: 3209
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:38 pm
Location: M K
x 1

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Mickey taker »

Oi Mike be careful you dont get a chill in your kidneys with all that exposed flesh lol...
Fantastic effort all round guys amd nice to see Toms hair is gettong back to a decent length at last
1991 BX Meteor 1.6

light travels faster than sound, thats why you look intelligent and then you spoil it all by opening your mouth !!!!!
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15617
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 160

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Tim Leech »

mat_fenwick wrote:
Paul296 wrote:Mike seemed to struggle looking 'cold and disappointed'
I've never seen Mike without a big grin on his face! Is that plan still to replace the last pipe as well?
I hope so as Mike cut the old one off (I think it disintigrated actually)
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by citsncycles »

It was a miracle that car lifted at all, let alone only had one leak! From the rear of the sills back, they literally disintegrated as I was removing them from the clips. I suspect that if the first leak hadn't emptied all the LHM out, one press of the brake pedal would have blown the others apart.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
bx petrol auto saloon
BXpert
Posts: 477
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:50 am
Location: Tonbridge KENT
My Cars: Citroens SAABs and Vauxhalls
x 2

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by bx petrol auto saloon »

Dear Tom, Mike and Tim,
Well done guys =D> =D> not easy at all, especially when it is so chuffing cold :roll:
Vince,
Passion Hydropneumatic Citroen,s

Cars;- 1993 White Citroen BX 1.6 TXi petrol
saloon auto with air-con & ABS.
47,594 Miles from new.
Owned for 3 years sorned.
1988 Silver SAAB 900i 2.0 8v F/lift,
saloon 5sp with 3 spoke Ronals,
69,000 Miles from new.
Owned for 15 years T & T.
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15617
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 160

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Tim Leech »

Thanks Vince, I did question my sanity last night when I got home but the club members generosity and enthusiasm make it all worth while.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Kitch
Over 2k
Posts: 6425
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:36 pm
Location: Fareham, Hants
My Cars: Too many to list
x 90

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Kitch »

Tim Leech wrote:Home at last! 13 hours and 350 miles, thanks so much Mike for you're help today. I need a brake return for a non abs BX it seems! But learned that 1.9 petrol and diesel radiators are identical,

She will need another day of fettling, some hose clips, carb fuel pipe and of course the pipes but most of the hard works done,

I'm off to thaw out!
I've just learned that they're not supposed to be!
One third of a three-spoke BX columnist team for the Citroenian magazine.

CCC BX registrar: The national BX register - click to submit a car!
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15617
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 160

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Tim Leech »

Well The one I bought described as a 1.9d was identical to the one fitted so I guess I fell lucky.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Kitch
Over 2k
Posts: 6425
Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:36 pm
Location: Fareham, Hants
My Cars: Too many to list
x 90

Re: Operation Blue Streak aka "in a state with an estate"

Post by Kitch »

The petrol rad has a header tank that is shaped vertical up one side, while the diesel has a header tank that flares outwards as it gets near the top.
Just been looking into it. So if the TRS had one that's angled, it's had a diesel rad before.
Or if the rad you bought has a vertical side, it's not a 1.9D one, it's a 1.9 petrol one (which would explain how you got it so cheap, as diesel ones are £100+ I'm finding!)

Guessing the diesel just carries a bit more water. Seems odd as they seem to take longer to heat up, but then the iron block probably resists cooling more than the alloy ones.

In your case, it matters not. In my case, it might do #-o
One third of a three-spoke BX columnist team for the Citroenian magazine.

CCC BX registrar: The national BX register - click to submit a car!