Xantia troubles as luck would have it.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Thanks Jim,

I think running at night quite possibly saved the head gasket from going or from cooking the engine the cooling fans cutting in at 90 degrees C probably also helped a bit dragging much cooler night time air through the grill.
I reckon if this had happened in 27 or 28 degrees C summer temps during the day time the consequences could have been a lot worse?

Regards Nigel

[Xaccers]

Driven at night like this and you may have seen a firework display out of your rear window!

It's worse when you're in a car following your pride and joy to then see flames and burning coal falling out the exhaust pipe!

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Xac, I didn't see any fire works out of the back window maybe veg oil doesn't do that however I did see some black smoke on the well lit A14.

I wouldn't mind betting the EGR had something to do with this not happening.

regards Nigel.

[Xaccers]

Several years ago when Jim and I changed the head on Cassy, we were rushing to get her moved to a friend's house with a drive so she could be sorn.
Unfortunately I didn't get the timing quite right so as I followed Jim there were plumes of black smoke coming out of her exhaust, and then sparks that looked like burning coal.
Scariest drive of my life wondering what was happening to poor Cassy's engine!

[falling-out-with-my-car]

I have blinds in my rear windscreen so my downward pointing exhaust may have meant I missed all the action.
Cassy's OK now though I hope?
I was draining my veg oil out today sat on a stool next to the ECU and every ten mins I heard a ticking sound from the ECU box I wasn't aware that the S2 xantia did this. weird!!
my Dads S1 VSX does though.