Citrojim's Ka, Saxo and Bike Tales

vince · Post by **vince** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:46

Here here......

We need to get a meet going up here

Jim, really interesting facts about the history of yellow french headlamps.....something to tell the guys at work about

They're not much into french cars....well apart from ex Citroen Steve.

I will have to resume my search for some yellow H1's......the fogs look great at night and its funny what you say about yellow lights at night and clearer vision....do you remember the old "amber vision" night driving glasses that you used to be able to get in the 80's etc. I have for many years now driven with yellow sun glasses at night if my eyes are a little tired. Ive got 3 pairs now including a pair of the original "amber vision" ones....trouble is the lenses are that big its like being an extra on the movie "the fly" they are huge and look daft

Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:51

Interesting stuff, I wouldn't have looked such a numpty in another post
minutes earlier had I read this thread first! I've always understood yellows
were illegal - I'm sure from grief I got on my GS from an MOT guy years ago.

Andrew

vince · Post by **vince** » 17 Oct 2009, 22:00

Hence the question about supporting legislation.....i didnt think an MOT tester would know

Jim a quick update.....i have emailed Tokyo Express for price and availability on the Polarg Pure Yellow H1's. When i get an answer i will post it up

Well Jim the answer came back.......not the greatest news im afraid.

Hi,

We have no availability on the Polargs any more sorry, we have Nokia and Halo at 35.00 for a pair and 38.00 for a pair respectively.

Regards

Duncan

01726 833330
www.Tokyo-Express.co.uk
sales@Tokyo-Express.co.uk

Hell they are dear

. Im not entirely convinced that the light emitted would be up to scratch....the Polarg's came very well recommended. Its a bit dear to take a chance

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:40

vince wrote: Jim a quick update.....i have emailed Tokyo Express for price and availability on the Polarg Pure Yellow H1's. When i get an answer i will post it up

Great stuff Vince

many thanks...

Yesterday Siany (my youngest daughter) and I took a trip to Somerset and back in the V6 to visit Dad (Grandad) and happily, the V6 ran like a clock there and back, no worries at all

Kev (Red_Dwarfers) arrived late on Saturday night to stay over before he visited Santa Pod today. Sadly due to other commitments I was unable to go. I had a lot of work to do at home to get ready for next week and to go and see Gareth tomorrow.

I took Kev for a spin in the Activa and took him around a few of the finest roundabouts in Milton Keynes!

I think he enjoyed it

Work done, I had a look at the dead EPIC Diesel Pump Mark21td gave me. I found the EPIC is dead easy to strip apart and a lot easier than either a Lucas DPC mechanical or a Bosch VP20. The pump in question was almost seized but not quite. When opened it was found to be full of horrible old fuel that had literally, totally and entirely gummed up the works including the timing ring and lift pump. It smells like finest Dulux! After a good clean the pump will be as good as new again as there is no wear or damage apparent.

So badly gummed up is the pump that the two high pressure pumping elements were totally seized in their bores

I also discovered the bit that fails on the ESOS electrovalves and causes running-on. Follow the green arrow in the picture below..

An this is the pump in bits...

The EPIC is really not a scary pump, easy to overhaul and a victim of a lot of urban myths. There are NO sensors inside the pump and apart from the four ESOS electrovalves, it is entirely mechanical. So, never worry if an EPIC becomes sick. They are just pussycats and more amenable to repair than some Internet sources will have you believe!

Xantia_v6 came to visit me this afternoon. I expected him to roll up in one of his Xantia V6s but no, he came along in his V12 E-Type Jaguar

What a gorgeous car

I thoroughly enjoyed a good look around it and the music produced by that beautiful engine.

In the back of the E-Type were a couple of duff Blaupunkt CD Changers for me to look at as a winter project when the workshop is untenable. Plenty to keep me occupied!

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:35

vince wrote:Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either

When I brought the Goddess from France I extensively researched the subject of yellow headlights as I wanted to keep the original French feel to the car, so I contacted VOSA for the relevant legislation as well as the MOT Testers rules and regs and can confirm that headlights can be either white or yellow in colour (no others).

BTW Jim is being rather discreet when he describes "I had a ride in Richards DS", yes he did have a ride but a little later after much cajoling I managed to get him to get behind the wheel and take her out for a drive around the dark lanes close to where I live

I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:47

DickieG wrote: I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

Aww, thanks Richard! I'm still smiling from that fantastic drive

It truly is a magical experience to drive a DS

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 19 Oct 2009, 09:55

Wow, the inside of my old EPIC, it does look quite simple and nowhere near as complicated as I thought it would.

As for being gumed up, it has been off the car and siting in my boot for about 9 mounths, it also saw some bio diesel (It was the bio that showed up the running problems) but was running when removed, although it was reving from 500 to 2500rpm when on so called tickover but when driveing was fine.

I still have another epic pump in the shed (in good condition) that I had a buyer for but he scraped the car before picking up the pump.
I supose I should put it in the for sale section.

vince · Post by **vince** » 20 Oct 2009, 00:24

DickieG wrote:
vince wrote:Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either
When I brought the Goddess from France I extensively researched the subject of yellow headlights as I wanted to keep the original French feel to the car, so I contacted VOSA for the relevant legislation as well as the MOT Testers rules and regs and can confirm that headlights can be either white or yellow in colour (no others).

BTW Jim is being rather discreet when he describes "I had a ride in Richards DS", yes he did have a ride but a little later after much cajoling I managed to get him to get behind the wheel and take her out for a drive around the dark lanes close to where I live I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

OMG

Jim you lucky boy 8) Im pretty sure id be bowled over after that too.....Id love to drive all 3 of Citroens dream team.....DS, SM, and 2CV

Richard i cant imagine the grin factor would ever fade with the DS irrespective of how long you had it

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 20 Oct 2009, 03:54

jim I meant to say earlier that pump has only done about 100K, how worn is it inside ?

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Oct 2009, 07:30

Vince, I consider myself very honoured and privileged

I'd like to add a CX, GS and XM to your dream list please!

mark21td wrote:jim I meant to say earlier that pump has only done about 100K, how worn is it inside ?

Practically no detectable wear at all Mark, just the slightest scuff on the distributor rotor but nothing to worry about. A clean-up and that pump will be as good as new

I'm thinking the erratic idle you experienced may be down to viscosity. EPIC's are controlled totally by hydraulics using the diesel as the medium. They're also VERY sensitive to air in the fuel.

I have another new winter project

An ML5T gearbox to strip and understand. It's from Gareth's Activa and always had a slightly crunchy third. Looking forward to getting that one in bits

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Oct 2009, 14:00

You have never had a drive in an Xm Jim? Im sure someone will let you have a go at a meeting, I cant say how they compare to a Xantia really, as ive only had very brief drives of those. They are very nice though, though they can be quite addictive!

There are so many Citroens id like to drive, though a DS would be high on my list. Ive been in a fair few but not driven one, i bet your still grinning Jim!

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Oct 2009, 21:05

No, the only Citroens I've ever driven are an AX (I had an 11TGE in the early 90s - wonderful little car

), a DS and a multitude of Xantias

Oh and I'd love to try a Traction too

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Oct 2009, 21:36

I had an AX too, only a 1.0Debut, really good little car, i think everything went wrong with it while i had it though, it needed two engines! Headgaskets seemed a little prone to going. Great car though, certainly enjoyed driving it at the time, it being my first car, i went all over in that car.

Ive driven quite a few Citroen models now, though ive not had a proper drive in a Xantia!

Well if i see you at a meeting and my dad has his traction going (should not be too long now! engine is running, but leaking oil but that should be an easy fix now and the bonnet is in for painting at the moment) you could well have a ride in that, its a hydraulic too! Very special car and where all this hydropneumatics started! It actually puts a lot of more modern cars to shame with its super quick steering, its very direct, though it ought to be as it sometimes takes two of us to park it in its garage, two to turn the steering wheel that is

Im looking forward to it going again, as before it broke i wasnt old enough to be added onto its insurance, so that will be an expereince. Ive driven it before on private roads but never properly, obviously.

Id love to drive a DS and a CX. Ive been in almost all Citroen models, cant think of one which i havent been in actually, though it would be nice to drive a few more models. No, i tell a lie, ive not been in an SM.

vince · Post by **vince** » 20 Oct 2009, 21:46

Ive done 3 different Xantias and also had a ZX for a number of years...that handled very wll but the ride wasnt hydraulic so was as good as it could be....the AX would be too light i think to get anything decent out it.

The 2CV and GS i was passengered in as a kid in the 70's....wish id have paid more attention to them....my uncle with the GS used to live over a level crossing so i know it would have been great...funny thing is i do remember the engine whirring....sewing machine style

Post by **myglaren** » 20 Oct 2009, 21:54

CitroJim wrote:No, the only Citroens I've ever driven are an AX (I had an 11TGE in the early 90s - wonderful little car ), a DS and a multitude of Xantias

Oh and I'd love to try a Traction too

Not forgetting the C5