Talking B____X

[Linegeist]

I have to admit that, as an ex-soldier, I have a soft spot for Land Rovers. They go anywhere, are utterly reliable, easy to fix and comfortable.

They do what it says on the tin - unlike some 4x4 wanabees that really oughtn't to be allowed out without a bloke with a red flag.

Where was your trip Kev - is that Beaumaris?

[Philip Chidlow]

Just returned from a trip to the south of France in the (ashamed) XM. But really. I've done the BXagon so I know what a long way feels like in a BX... but the XM is superb for this sort of thang...

1,860 miles in the week: 780 miles yesterday... (that's 28% of the BXagon in one day)... and no issues. 30 mpg at speeds up to 170 kph, in 30+ degrees with a/c going... passengers praising the car etc.. etc...

BUT

I took the BX out today... OK it's unrefined and bangy, with a few issues but I still enjoyed... A world of contrasts!

Anyway some pics

Including some BX's of course!







And this little Ourane (Hurricane) turbo D had air con ...



Some XM porn:

[Tim Leech]

She does look well Phil, I guess the XM was designed for that kind of driving.

[rayfenwick]

After driving from Hull to Malta and back (minus ferries for the wet bits...) I can only agree that the XM excels in this department. Looking good too, Phil

[Philip Chidlow]

Just watched Avatar. What a pile of poop. Visually interesting at times, but c'mon. Have story-telling and plotlines/screenplay taken some sort of retrograde step? Oh how fecking predictable

Worse still, my missus fancied the scarred bad-guy.

[Defender110]

Where was your trip Kev - is that Beaumaris?

Sorry Bob, I've only just seen your reply. It's St Georges peer Menai, we regularly charter Scott Watermans boat the Protector from there for off shore wreck diving and the odd driftdive down the Straights.

[Philip Chidlow]

Time to plan the BX's future.

Either cut losses so to speak, or dive in.

I suspect the latter

Issues to address: rocker cover gasket (I have a replacement) needs doing as it's weeping oil.

Camshaft oil seal - a possible leaky there too... I have one, but that's a bit more work, so will do cam belt and waterpump as well as aux/pump belt and anything else in that region that needs doing.

Some knocking from the o/s front suspension. Replaced o/s dropling last year so must be something else...

Accumulator sphere seems knackered. Although the PR might need looking at.

There's a minor LHM drip. Suspect rubber return pipe on o/s strut.

Spheres are past their best. Will probably fit standard non-GTi 16/19 spheres all round.

Fuel pump/filter area has small fuel leak on starting but soon disappears. I have speculated on this before and have a replacement fuel filter to pop in while the cause is investigated. I hope I don't need a new pump although they aren't prone to failure apparently.

I still need to address the issue of probable fuel rail pressure loss - exhibited by poor warm/hot start/idle until pressure builds up again: suspect pressure regulator although some air might be getting in somewhere.

Front tyres need replacing. Shame I paid for 4x replacement wheels and nearly new Klebers five months ago which have still not been delivered. Almost a lost cause now

An oil change and general root around required too.

That should all keep me and Dennis busy.

Then I have the encroachment of rust in the o/s rear arch/sill and some cosmetics to deal with.

As I said, I could cut my losses. And the above will really cost. But hey. Where am I going to find another BX these days?

[electrokid]

I have to admit that, as an ex-soldier, I have a soft spot for Land Rovers.

Spotted today - forward control - LWB I think - full canvas - pristine condition - looked very good indeed

[docchevron]

Fuel pump/filter area has small fuel leak on starting but soon disappears. I have speculated on this before and have a replacement fuel filter to pop in while the cause is investigated. I hope I don't need a new pump although they aren't prone to failure apparently.

I still need to address the issue of probable fuel rail pressure loss - exhibited by poor warm/hot start/idle until pressure builds up again: suspect pressure regulator although some air might be getting in somewhere.

hmmmm, question asked, question answered?

Pumps will either last forever, or die after about 110K miles..

[Philip Chidlow]

Well, if I can, I'll replace filter and pump - as my instincts point in that area as the root cause of the idling/start issue too. It's a straight swap I assume. Or do I have to take any particular precautions (apart from working in candlelight lol)?

Is this the pump I should be looking at? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-Electri ... 0386720480

Does anyone have a part number for the BX GTi pump? There's this too, albeit pricier: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITROEN-BX-RENAUL ... 0041017923

But what about the fuel rail pressure regualtor? I'm not quite sure how that works, but I assume it will keep adequate pressure up when the engine's switched off - at least for a while - when it's working right. If it's not doing its job and the pressure drops off quickly would that explain poor hot starting/idle?

[mat_fenwick]

Phil, does your fuel pump operate whenever the ignition is turned on, or whenever the engine is rotating? If is is the former you could test your theory about losing pressure by seeing if there is any difference between trying to start it hot after letting the fuel pump run for 30 seconds or so before cranking (apologies if you have already tried this!)
If starting is better that would suggest (to me at least!) either fuel vaporisation, a loss of pressure, or a pump that's slow to build up pressure.

[Philip Chidlow]

Well, the pump doesn't - from what I can tell - start unless the engine is started. Fuel vaporisation: How the devil do you deal with that?

[Philip Chidlow]

Interestingly the pump only leaks (a drip, drop affair - nothing dramatic) after the cars has been stood a fair while e.g. overnight. Starting it up just now for instance (after a couple of hours standing) produced no drips. And that has been the case for a while.

There is no fuel 'wetness' around the pump or filter - but that could be because it evaporates quickly. I think I'll dust the area with talc and when it's up on a ramp I'll have a look - I might be able to find the location of the problem: and there might be 'staining' from previous dripping. It could be as simple as a dodgy pipe connection/seal. However, am I right that there's a non-return valve in the pump that could wear/fail, giving the problems I have described?

As for leaking oil: why do I never learn? The oil bottle I keep in the bulkhead space had fallen over and was leaking a little, down through the drain hole near the washer bottle. Last time it was the LHM bottle that did the same. FFS am I daft? So, for now I will not keep said bottles there! The leak I do have is weeping from the rocker cover gasket I'm sure.

One question though: the car sinks faster than Titanic. Is this entirely due to tired components? If the accumulator sphere isn't good, then that's not going to help... but if the PR is baggy, will that negate any effect of replacing the sphere?

[electrokid]

. Last time it was the LHM bottle that did the same. FFS am I daft?

Hahahaha - excellent

I used to keep the bottles there too - until an emtpy one rattled up across the wiper resistance and jammed there - quite a stink when I next used the wipers

[Philip Chidlow]

Just spent 4 hours cleaning both the Citroens. Both good cars. Happy boy.