I think this is a Lucas pump?

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:14 pm

Nah, the stupid clutch is endemic to Xsaras I'm afraid

I've driven three of them, all different models, and I thought there was something wrong with them. Turns out they're all like that.

M · Post by M » Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:38 pm

Ran my Lucas (prince of darkness) pumped ZX on SVO for 18 months, did 25 ish K miles, no problems. Sold it on (by that time it had done 150K odd miles and most of its life had been run on red.)

For that price, rin it on anything (except Hydraflush - that knackers em) then when it dies weigh it in.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:24 pm

Stu: Now that you mention it, that VTR I had a hile back had a rubbish clutch too. This ones a pull clutch too, raelly wank to be honest.

Marty: Interesting, and I agree with your point about weighing in when dead. Forgive me but whats SVO and red? Red diesel? I know nowt about diesels!

M · Post by M » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:21 pm

SVO = Straight Vegetable Oil = 20p/ litre from Lidl

Red = Red Diesel = Normal Diesel with red dye and lower tax = used by shonky farmers who can use it in tractors and in this case in the ZX before I bought it.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:26 pm

M wrote:SVO = Straight Vegetable Oil = 20p/ litre from Lidl

really? I thought it was a little more expensive than that these days

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 4:58 pm

By the way: the A/C on my BX ain't working, and I don't think the compressor kicks in. At least I can't hear a difference when I switch it on.

If you don't FEEL the difference then there's something wrong - you may well feel like changing down a gear when engaging aircon at certain engine speeds (on a turbodiesel).

TB2 · Post by **TB2** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:15 pm

No, nothing really happens at all if I switch it on. So I need to check the electrics...

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:56 pm

TB2 wrote:No, nothing really happens at all if I switch it on. So I need to check the electrics...

If the gas is low then the electrics are inhibited so the pump can't run. Do you know if the system is gassed OK?

TB2 · Post by **TB2** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:06 pm

Way2go wrote:Do you know if the system is gassed OK?

I hardly suspect it to be

The car's 19 years old and as far as I know the A/C was never reconditioned. I was just wondering if there were any common faults. Anyways, winter is coming now, I guess I'll wait until next spring and then let a specialist recondition it...

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:24 pm

The car's 19 years old and as far as I know the A/C was never reconditioned.

Start saving now if you want to get the aircon going again, as you seem to be saying the systemhas never been upgraded from the original, and now banned, refrigerant. My limited understanding of aircon suggests you'll be looking at renewing key components, apart from any charges involved in re-sealing the system for current refrigerant.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:57 pm

TB2 wrote:Anyways, winter is coming now, I guess I'll wait until next spring and then let a specialist recondition it...

Actually, A/C is very useful in the winter for fast de-misting of the screen when you start off.

Much more effective than the heater!

mike st gilles · Post by **mike st gilles** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:19 am

Its also advisable to run it at least once a week even when you don't ned it as it lubricates all the 'O' rings etc. etc. to keep it al in fine fettle for when you do want to start it up again.