TIMS BX BLOG

[Tim Leech]

I always stick to MG ROVER or Citroen, I guess its what I've always had, for what I paid i could of had a vectra/mondeo or even a Passat! I couldnt bring myself to buy a C5 (sorry)

I could use a BX as a daily but they are getting old now and some jobs to require expert hands, I prefer to keep them for "best" my friend runs a 75/ZT specialist and is VERY reasonable on costs but doesn't rush (a bit like our beloved Barry)

[white exec]

Am doing things t'other way round here, Tim, having got my first Rover (a 1935 Ten) in 1965, at age 17.
From then, a few more...
'47 Sixteen, '60 3-Litre P5, and then three P6s - a '66 2000, a '72 2000TC, and the final one (and by far the best) a '75 Lunar Grey 3500S.
Mixed in with those was a '59 Mini, built from a bare body into a TC'd 1300, which ended up automatic... And a Dolomite 1850HL. And a Morris 1300, also auto. Oh, and a 1970 Mini 1000, which caught fire outside Hurstpierpoint fire station .

A chance drive of a CX Familiale opened my eyes to Citroen, and my then OH took on a brand new BX16TRS for work. When it came to finding a replacement for a later Cavalier, it had to be a BX, and we found an '89 delage red 19RD in Romford, with just 40k on the clock. The 3500S moved on to a P6 friend at about the same time.

The 19RD took us (and caravan) all over Europe, more than once, and went on to 177k miles. It's successor in 1998 was a brand new 2.5 XM, which we still have. Our best car, ever.

A 2.0 D4D RAV4 (bought to cope with unmade mountain roads and a few riverbeds here), has been capable enough, but never loved, and now needs to go. The daily is now the BX19D Millésime, turning into a delight to drive.

[Tim Leech]

BX diesel woes currently, DTR Rotodiesel pump started leaking from the throttle spindle and the stop solenoid also failed....

Easy job apparently, ordered the seals, Jaba also very kindly provided a new top cover incase mine was worn oval...which provided a much better seal than I had....

All put back together and originally it wouldn't start, which was down to the stop lever/fast idle being in the wrong place.

Anyway after some head scratching it now starts fine...however it has no go.... and to get any kind of reaction from the throttle its half throttle at least....

I have not had the pump off or touched the timing, also it starts fine ......

I am wondering if its the fast idle is still not lined up right...when I took the top cover off originally the shaft came with it so I was unable to take a picture of its positioning

[Kaapelimies]

Done the same, something dropped off inside the pump. Can't remember anymore how I fixed it, I think there was some kind of a fork in a spring assembly?

[Tim Leech]

Sounds possible, will have a look tomorrow thanks

[Tim Leech]

Well the ZTT has sold, I will go back to a company motor soon, its been reliable but troublesome with niggle, and i always have the feeling in the back of my mind it will let me down.....so a Electric Mini will be my daily driver.

[Jaba]

Electric hey. I think they would be fun to drive with no gearbox and all the torque available at any speed.
Have you seen the video of the electric DS conversion by Bicester Heritage?

[Tim Leech]

I ran a Ds3 E TENSE for 6 months, which was very easy to drive, and of course save me a small fortune in diesel.

Im thinning down the fleet a little, as I hate to say it I am finding my enthusiasm for old motors waning!

[Tim Leech]

The DTR continues to fight me, it starts and idles really well, but sometimes its has no power, its not the pedal, as if I operate the throttle from under the bonnet its still the same...

If I fiddle with the fast idle I can get it to move but then it drops off again suddenly, this is since I replaced the throttle shaft seals, I've tried most things and cant figure out what's the issue, I may have to admit defeat and get a pump rebuild....

[white exec]

What sort of money are you looking at, Tim, for a pump rebuild?
Is swapping to Bosch an option?

[Jaba]

I had a TD pump rebuilt several years ago at a cost of £380. Then the car it was for died and was scrapped and I never used the pump which still sits on its shelf in my garage. Its a shame you don't have a TD Tim as I would much prefer it was put to some good use.

[Jaba]

All put back together and originally it wouldn't start, which was down to the stop lever/fast idle being in the wrong place.

Anyway after some head scratching it now starts fine...however it has no go.... and to get any kind of reaction from the throttle its half throttle at least....
I am wondering if its the fast idle is still not lined up right...when I took the top cover off originally the shaft came with it so I was unable to take a picture of its positioning

Tim, have you checked the anti stall adjustment??

Hi john

I have adjusted it a few times, still think its not right....is that the lever on the left (STOP lever)?

[Tim Leech]

Small update, i visited the local diesel specialist who said they doubt its the actual pump, but maybe a worn ancillary part.

They reset the throttle and idle, and it did pull better but lost power again on the way back (as if it was starved for fuel)

I have ordered a new diesel filter, primer bulb and put some fuel system cleaner in and hope that helps.

I can afford £500 plus right for a rebuild as It was provisionally sold to another club member.....to raise funds and free up space

[Tim Leech]

A new fuel filter has also helped, it starts and runs well now and only has the odd very small cough, the long bolt going through the filter wasn't sealed tight so may have had a bearing.

And its now on to a new loving owner, he's been after it for a while, and has a stunning GTi auto, and other cars, he has more space and more available funds than I so it was a good choice.

I will miss it, but I have to try and reduce costs and the fleet itself!

So will stick with the GT and TZI, and maybe another diesel....maybe

[Jaba]

Not ....maybe Tim. You must have diesel as well. Many consider that the diesel versions were responsible for the BX's lasting appeal.
Says me as a GTi owner.