Replacing exhaust manifold gasket

[Xaccers]

Now there's something you've just reminded me about Xac, Activa horns are
absolutely fabulous - no other Xantia seems to have anything as remotely fruity
in an impatient Italian get outama way styley. I've been meaning to mention
them on the forum for ages but kept forgetting.

Don't think I've ever used the s2 ones' on my V6 or the Activa as I'm usually
pressing the end of the lightswitch stalk before I realise too late that I'm
supposed to prod that will it or won't it explode in my face horrid wheel hub.

Andrew

My second 205 had a car alarm which would pulsate the horn if the door was opened.
Given how comically pathetic the horn fitted to the 205 was, any car theifs had more chance of dying laughing than being scared off by it.
So I picked up the £10 airhorns from Halfrauds and fitted them.
A great improvement, I could even use my horn on the motorway and be heard by other cars!
So when I sold the 205, I transferred them to Syb, my first Xantia, and alas they went up in smoke with her.
I've fitted them to Cassy, and I'll fit them to Juliet, although Cassy's seem a higher pitch than Syb's did.
I hate the airbag horn too!

[addo]

It doesn't "go off" if you whack it - tried plenty of times!

[XantiaMan]

You'll need to take the head off. You wont get enough leverage or access on a numbers of bolts with it insitu. Been there, done that. Also there is an o ring on the manifold that goes between the turbo, you won't have enough hands to juggle it on even if there was space.

[Xaccers]

hmm, if the head has to come off, then as it's done 178000miles it might be worth doing that and replacing the HG.

In which case, I've got to get Cassy MoT'd and back on the road first.

[CitroJim]

Sadly, having been under Xian this morning to have a look at this task, amongst other things (more on that later ), I can confirm what Gareth says. 'Tis next to bloody impossible otherwise. Hardly enough room under there to swing a gnat, let alone a cat.

I'd say that even lifting the head with manifold attached would be a battle royale and not really on. The turbo and manifold is a weighty lump.

So, unless anyone can advise that it is possible, then it'll be an engine lift job.

No need to disturb the head though. We can lift the engine far enough out to do the job. Don't make work...

You may wish to consider a clutch though

We'll have to plan this very carefully, with Xian occupying the driveway. She can't move as she's on SORN and they're dead hot on it round this way. Untaxed and you'll be clamped before you can say Swansea...

[Xaccers]

Clutch might be a good idea Jim, would rather take the engine out once than have to do it again in 6 months time.

If the blow isn't going to cause any damage, then there's no rush.
We need a stratergy meeting, do you have a copy of MS Project?

[CitroJim]

We need a stratergy meeting, do you have a copy of MS Project?

No but I make a good cup of tea and that's the best tool for planning a strategy

[andmcit]

It'd certainly rather split an engine at the gearbox bellhousing rather than
the head to tackle this problem if it has to come to serious surgery. It'd
make more sense renewing a service item that will significantly prolong the
working life of the car than disturb the HG which appears to be fine.

Problem here for me is the newest purchase has had a replacement clutch
and probably only covered 20k miles on it! It'd make sense on the 90k
miled s2 though and this has the worst blow/rasp. I'm hoping the newer
purchase is leaking on the cat downpipe first.

I've a mind to suggest the silly small top engine mount has a big part to
play on strain on the exhaust on these as virtually every Activa I've bought
has had a failing mount. I was hoping to fit one I've just bought around
Easter but the car has beaten me to it! Guess hard acceleration
gearchanges have seen it off though...

Andrew

[CitroJim]

Strikes me that this one one job where the pain of lifting the engine will be well offset by the ease and accuracy of doing the actual job.

Andrews, I don't think you can blame the bush. If it was the brillo pad that was failing then yes, that would be a good candidate, but for the manifold to head gasket, it's hard to see how really...

Just one of those things. Strange how it seems to affect MK2s much more than MK1s...

[addo]

Can you install a clear floor hoist in the driveway? That's one means of doubling parked space. Good way to meet the neighbours, too (every 5000 miles when they need an oil change)!

The other dodge here is to park an unregistered car atop a registered (= taxed and MOT'd) car trailer. The nosey buggers can't touch it then!

[CitroJim]

Can you install a clear floor hoist in the driveway?

Funny you should say that Adam, been toying with the idea for a while now.

Sort of carport as well.

It would make so many jobs on a hydraulic Citroen so much easier and be easier on my back at the same time...

[XantiaMan]

What kills the gasket is poor cool down procedure, manifold studs are too small and not torqued up enough, and the manifold itself should have more support. The manifold suffers too, with hairline cracks common. All this hard work was done on my old Activa, and it was very worthwhile, as its a quiet engine when sorted.

[CitroJim]

I wonder if I can go to bed and dream about a way of doing this job without lifting the engine out...

[andmcit]

a good cup of tea and that's the best tool for planning a strategy

Maybe this will help as well as a sleep on it!

Good excuse to use this smiley methinks

Andrew

[SLYTZD]

The easiest way to fix a blowing exhaust manifold gasket it to do what I did, admit defeat & get the garage to do it!

It took them around 5 hours & cost me £246 while I sat back & took it easy.

As they did such a good job & stuck to the quote why not a free plug...

M. Drake & Son
Citroën Specialist
29 Desborought Lane,
Plymouth.
PL4 9PJ

01752 661791

And a big thank you.