Hello from a new Activa owner

edhighwycombe · Unread post by **edhighwycombe** » 15 Jun 2009, 18:46

Dear all,
I've just bought an Activa about 4 weeks ago - unfortunately I hadn't discovered this site so I am fairly worried about all the problems I didn't know to look for!

I attended the CCC DS/M rally this weekend, and spoke to Xantia columnist Richard and CitroJim - they were both very helpful and suggested I joined this forum. So I have!

My 1996 Activa has covered an apparently genuine 61K from new, with full (very full) history from 2000 when it was sold to the previous owner as an approved used Citroen.

The interior is in very good condition; the exterior a little scruffy but could look smart with some minor paintwork; the engine, clutch, gearbox all seem perfect. It came with 12 months MOT.

But ... it has never had any major work on the suspension ... it is very slow to rise at the back end (and sometimes takes a bit of rocking to get it shifting) ... there may be a small LHM leak at the front nearside ... and I get the curry smell on turning on the heater although it still blows hot (so am I right in thinking the heater matrix is on the way out?)

Overall I'm very pleased with it but I know it will take some work to get it right. Richard and Jim have offered to plug it into the Lexia machine and I'm planning on contacting them shortly.

I would like to buy up some parts - just having to move house due to job change so funds are low, but happy to buy parts now and pay for the work to be done later (I am a totally useless mechanic).

Any advice on what to buy now for the future, and where from? (I suspect there is no easy answer to this last question!)

Many thanks for any advice

Ed

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 15 Jun 2009, 20:08

Welcome to the forum Ed

The DSM rally was a treat wasn't it

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 15 Jun 2009, 21:14

Hi Ed,

A big welcome to the FCF and great to meet up with you at the DSM. As you say Kev, an excellent day all round

Sounds like a good Activa you have there, you'll have to post up some pictutres in due course. And only 61K - barely run-in

Unfortunately LHM leaks on the front nearside are often from the ram but sometimes it's the ram leakage return pipe leaking as these have a habit of splitting. Also, the LHM tank is in that vicinity and if it's been overfilled the excess can find its way down there. Also, you'll often find the LHM tankl "slops" LHM from the top due to keen cornering

Even more sadly, it sounds like your neater matrix is on its way out and as you may have seen already, the replacement of same is rather an undertaking. I assisted in one and will shortly be doing my V6. If it's just smelly at the moment, you can satve off the inevitable for a few monts by dosing the cooling system with Forte Stop Leak. Use only that and never something like radweld or K-seal. Forte Stop leak staved off my 2.1 heater matrix for about six months and when we finally pulled it out it was no longer leaking!

Very slow to rise at the back is most likely the rear height corrector needing a good clean-up and lubricate. Also a good idea on an Activa is to drain the old LHM and run on Hydraflush for a few thousand miles before refilling with LHM. Activas are hydraulically very "greedy" and it's a good idea to keep very fresh LHM in them, keep the LHM filters very clean and check all teh spheres are tip-top. They take a lot longer than a normal Xantia to reach presure as there's 10 spheres and two big rams to pump up. The rear will get the last of the pressure. It's also worth checking the condition of the Activa Accumulator as this sphere hides under the battery tray almost and is often overlooked and forgotten.

Have a look at the buyers guide at the top of this forum Ed, that'll give some good pointers for checking over the suspension.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 15 Jun 2009, 21:37

Hi Ed,

On the subject of parts....i may not be able to supply everything you may need, but am happy to help where i can

I have a decent network of independant Citroen specialists at my disposal.

Vince
GSF Liverpool

edhighwycombe · Unread post by **edhighwycombe** » 16 Jun 2009, 08:47

Thanks very much everyone for the replies, and I'll get some Forte leak coolant today.
I'll do some further reading on this site and will no doubt have some more questions!
Thanks again
Ed

wainy · Unread post by **wainy** » 16 Jun 2009, 12:12

Just a quick reply to say hello!

I'm a recent Activa convert too. I'm also a pretty rubbish (but willing.... a lethal combination!

) mechanic as was proved this weekend when I tried and failed to change the cambelt......... but that's for another post tonight!

There seems to be a growing band of people recognising how special these cars are and willing to put the time and effort into keeping them on the road.

How many people out there are taking their Activas to the CCC national? I'll be there on the Sunday.

WAINY

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Jun 2009, 12:28

Hi Wainy,

be interested to read your cambelt adventures.. The Activa is one of the easier ones as well!

wainy wrote: How many people out there are taking their Activas to the CCC national? I'll be there on the Sunday.

I'll be there but it might well be a hard decision to take the Activa or the V6. I expect the Activa will win out in the end though!

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 16 Jun 2009, 13:15

citrojim wrote:
wainy wrote: How many people out there are taking their Activas to the CCC national? I'll be there on the Sunday.
I'll be there but it might well be a hard decision to take the Activa or the V6. I expect the Activa will win out in the end though!

When and where is this? As i didnt make last weekends show i would like to attend at least one, can anyone help?

edhighwycombe · Unread post by **edhighwycombe** » 16 Jun 2009, 14:08

I'm going to the CCC national on the Sunday, and was planning to go by XM.

But I may be tempted to take the Activa if there is going to be a big turn-out from you all ......

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 16 Jun 2009, 15:39

I dont even know where is it yet, so cannot commit until then.
Googled but found nothing.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 16 Jun 2009, 17:49

When I first read all your replies I suddenly thought 'Has someone organised another CCC rally next weekend without me knowing?!'

I'll probably be attending that one. AFAIK its only a one day event on the Sunday with camping facilities Saturday evening.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 16 Jun 2009, 18:00

So to recap, there's a CCC National rally some weekend in the near future, somewhere in the UK, but no one's giving specifics

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 16 Jun 2009, 19:11

Its being held on Sunday 19th July at the Wood Green Animal Refuge, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH. In English its on the A1198 about 2 miles south of the A14.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 16 Jun 2009, 19:17

Xac wrote:So to recap, there's a CCC National rally some weekend in the near future, somewhere in the UK, but no one's giving specifics

Specifics time

Sunday 19th July at
King's Bush Farm
London Road
Godmanchester
Cambs
PE29 2NH
Just south of an animal shelter place.
Camping available for the Saturday evening.

Going to be a lot of XMs to celebrate 20 years

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Jun 2009, 22:31

XantiaMan583 wrote: When and where is this? As i didnt make last weekends show i would like to attend at least one, can anyone help?

You remember Gareth, the place where you first drove an Activa last year and I struck the deal on my red one