A few Activa queries

[CitroJim]

- that's the one that feels a tad tame in it's 'go'!

Andrew,

Sorry for the multiple posts - I should have thought a bit first and put all in one.

On the subject of it feeling a tad lame, it'll be worth checking it is getting up to full boost. The only sure way is to put a gauge on it but there are a few checks to do first.

The egine should give a good surge of power as it comes on boost. There is a bit of lag but at around 3000rpm you should feel a definite "push" as it comes up onto boost. It feels a bit like a big hand has got hold of the back of the car and has given you a bit of a shove.

The favourite reasons for a lack of boost are inlet tract leaks, a stuck wastegate and a faulty boost regulator solenoid. The solenoid is similar in concept to a Hydractive electrovalve and it is "modulated" to control the opening of the wastegate. I'm wondering if it has a diode and if this can be problematic in the same way as a Hydractive electrovalve. As soon as I have an opportunity I'll put an oscilloscope across mine and see what it is up to.

A quick and crude way to test for air leaks in the inlet tract downwind from the turbo is to disconnect the rubber pipe between the turbo "hot" pipe (the alloy one) and the intercooler and then, with the engine idling, place your hand over it. If all is well, the rubber pipe from the other end of the intercooler to the throttle body should collapse under vacuum. You don't need to cover the pipe completely to make it do this! You should be able to stall the car doing this but I'd not recommend trying, there is a heck of a suck available and there is a risk of damaging the intercooler so keep your hand partially off and only do it quickly.

Whilst the turbo hot pipe is open, you should be able to feel a good breeze coming out of it when the engine is revved, showing that the turbo is at least delivring some pressure.

It is worth checking that the MAP sensor pipe and the little round plastic device it connects to just above the ECU is all intact and not leaking.

Do you ever see the engine management light coming on?

[Harlequin]

good evening one and all

the wheels are not damaged - i bought them from dickieg , so he can tell you more of the history than me, but they are not damaged , just not fitted!

solenoid - now that has jogged something that richard said when he had the computer on the car - there was a fault stored on the computer about the waste gate solenoid - so , maybe clear the computer and try that? only happend once but have a look?


andrew - can you pm your adress - i have found the spare key and want to send it you with the hub caps.


kinda miss the activa....... the vectra we have really isn`t the same - faster for sure and all the toys , but it doesn`t feel the same , so might well get another when things are more stable at home!

[andmcit]

Great to hear from you Simon! You must still like Citroens then if you're
still viewing here!!

Glad the wheel situation is clearer - you did mention them but I deleted
my inbox emails as it appeared to be full and my memory isn't great!

I've found someone who has a perfect match front wing and tailgate that
will nicely staighten the minor wrincles but they're damned expensive and
there's a limit to how much I can do all in one go, so I'm hoping they're
not in a hurry to dispose of the car just yet...

Don't get me wrong about the car's power - it seems OK but my issue is
my Xm with an identical engine is faster and it's stock standard - I haven't
had a real thorough set to with the piping etc as I realise air leaks will
cause power problems.

As far as the black roof is concerned - my issue is it looks like a vinyl
roof, and my problem there is in my mind they're a bit tacky- I own a
few older Cx Prestige's and Gs's which have had the edges peeling etc
and I'm not a big fan!!

I'll pm you my address.

All the best,
Andrew

[DickieG]

Guess you wouldn't want to sell it to me now
anyway as I've scuppered your plans - sorry! Have you seen:

Citroen Xantia Activa Turbo R-Reg ebay Item number: 290111129083
RARE 1997 CITROEN XANTIA ACTIVA TURBO BLUE ebay Item number: 290110030013
Andrew

If I'd not already accepted offers for the engine (to go in an Activa by the way) you'd be more than welcome to it.

The first Activa looks as if it needs both balancing rams, ouch = £600!
The second one looks nice and shiney but hmm, those engine mods???

The story with the Activa wheels is that the locking wheel nut was lost and the damage to the face of them was caused by someone (not me I hasten to add!) attempting to remove them.

When Simon owned the silver Activa, I plugged my code reader into it which identified the O/S/F ABS sensor as being faulty and something on the engine which I can't recall but will go along with what Simon suggests.

Bear in mind however that Simon forgot the engine code, so I loaned him a spare ECU which he then replaced with another, so if you get the codes read again and a wastegate sensor shows up then it would suggest such a fault. When I get the chance I'll plug in the ECU I loaned to Simon and see whether any fault is still recorded on it.

If you wish to find out what turbo boost is being produced why not plumb in a Gunsons low pressure/vacuum gauge with a 'T' piece (temporarily run the pipe into the car via an open window so that boost can be read on the move) I recall using one on a TD I had (suffering from low power) and found it worked quite well.

[andmcit]

update!!

Been a bit of a plantpot by listing in the wrong Activa thread!!
Seems it doesn't take much these days to confuse me - probably too
many things on the go at once...

apolgies for messing the Activa wheels thread anyhow.

The info I thought I was posting here: Sorry for the repeat if you've
seen this somewhere before!!

I've got that ebayed blue Xantia back and it's actually not a bad
looking car though the engine issue appears to be the HG from grilling
the owner for the exact how's, why's and wherefores.

Everything seems to work including the electric leather seats and windows
etc though there's no sunroof. It's had a recent clutch and spheres ALL
ROUND!! Yes all of them, and there's sheaf's of paperwork SH.

The tyres are tready but the brands are nothing special so I don't really
fancy using them on an Activa in anger at least. Sadly, the wheels are
the grottiest alloys I've EVER seen on any Xantia with blistering on the
large face areas on every one - the actual edges of the rims aren't bad
and they're not buckled etc - they really need re-powder coating.

Now, my question: is the turbo engine architecturally the same as the
standard 8v as per HG and bolts as I cannot see a different listing on
the parts in any online catalogues. It wasn't simply a case of a different
manifold for the turbo was it?

I'm inclined to give the HG a go once I've had a further poke and prod
about the oil/water on the engine and anyone who's been here before
on this particular type of engine is very welcome to pitch in with
comments and suggestions! I have changed a couple of normal 8v
HG's before so know what to expect!

Andrew