CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 30 Jan 2011, 23:42

Jim, could this be temperature critical?
I know it's been [to use the technical parlance] frikkin' cold lately and
I know I don't operate very well operating in near or sub-zero temps.

Andrew

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 31 Jan 2011, 07:29

On a ram less than a year old, temperature should not affect it, it's clearly a manufacturing fault that is causing this, on a 10 year old one the ram weeping is acceptable, in fact most do but to lose 500ml??

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Jan 2011, 16:51

Absolutely my feeling Gareth..

I spoke to the dealer today. Very helpful he was. Off to see him tomorrow afternoon.

More news then...

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 31 Jan 2011, 17:12

CitroJim wrote:Absolutely my feeling Gareth..

I spoke to the dealer today. Very helpful he was. Off to see him tomorrow afternoon.

More news then...

[cheeky]
Can you order me a rear dog bone for Cassy while you're there?
[/cheeky]

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Jan 2011, 17:14

Xac wrote: [cheeky]
Can you order me a rear dog bone for Cassy while you're there?
[/cheeky]

'Course I can. If you want one right now I have one or two in my stash..

Just thinking what other sundries I might order at the same time...

I must get my thinking cap on...

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 31 Jan 2011, 17:20

Dont forget to replenish your LHM stash!!! i always do that and then never have any handy when its needed

D

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 06 Feb 2011, 19:43

Well, as events panned out I never got to see the Citroen dealer about the leaking ram. Work got in the way one day and from then on until now, I've had such a horrible cold and felt so rough that enthusiasm was at rock bottom.

Feeling a good bit better today I looked atOold V6 and saw it was filthy so I gave it a quick wash. Looks much better now!

On Thursday I disparately needed to get some shopping so to cheer myself up a bit, I took the Activa

It always works as there's no way you can drive an Activa and not smile, even if the rear ram is leaky...

Anyway, today I carried out the weekly checks on all cars and checked the rear ram. I was dry

I topped up the LHM and did a good few rounds of Citerobics. The ram looked dry. I washed it in solvent and repeated the Citerobics and the ram stayed absolutely bone-dry

I then gave it the ultimate test. A run to Hemel to see Sid The Squid and his dead V6. Still no leaks.

So, it seems the leakiness of a ram IS temperature dependent

It was 13 here today and last weekend it was a LOT less than that..

Sadly, Sid's V6 is still dead despite a replacement key aerial, lots of checks and key re-programming, the immobiliser light stays resolutely on. Mr. Lexia cannot communicate with the engine ECU and in trying to train the CPH to the Engine ECU, the Lexia reports a communications failure.

It looks like the engine ECU may be suspect.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 06 Feb 2011, 23:04

Good news on the ram Jim, my feelings are that the seals shrink too much when the temperature drops, a case of the material being a poor design IMO.

My suggestion, do not panic! And make sure the MOT is due in the summer

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 06 Feb 2011, 23:40

CitroJim wrote:the immobiliser light stays resolutely on. Mr. Lexia cannot communicate
with the engine ECU and in trying to train the CPH to the Engine ECU, the
Lexia reports a communications failure.

It looks like the engine ECU may be suspect.

This is all damned odd and chimes close to home yet my Specialist has hit
a brick wall with the "new" ECU although he seems happier with that than
the the original. I'm starting to lose track of the number of Exclusives and
particularly v6's that seem to encounter this problem.

Not quite double figures but not far off which suggests a weakness.

Sad. Good news on the ram's sealing; it was REALLY cold when you had
the problem and I'm sure the temperature has been questioned before on
the Activa forum - may have been Gareth too!

Andrew

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 07 Feb 2011, 11:10

I mentioned it a long time back, when i had my old Activa. New ones still shouldn't do it at all though!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Feb 2011, 17:03

XantiaMan wrote:New ones still shouldn't do it at all though!

I agree! I shall refurbish a ram I have in stock (the old one actually) and fit it as a "Winter" ram!!!!

Chris570 · Unread post by **Chris570** » 09 Feb 2011, 08:39

Just a thought Jim.....

could the LHM you saw on your rear ram be the LHM from the rear subframes that we took the spheres off?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Feb 2011, 19:39

No sadly not Chris

The ram is too far under the car and the leaking LHM was very bright green!

I'm off out doing a Dads Taxi run in it later this evening. I'll check on how it is when I get home...

It's warm (ish) this evening so it is likely to be OK...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Feb 2011, 20:44

It's still dry

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 09 Feb 2011, 21:43

Cars are at their best when they repair themselves

Odd that Jim, must be something to do with the cold weather and rubber seals. Hopefully it will stay dry.