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

[CitroJim]

Just swapped Sally's Oxygen Sensor with a BNIB genuine Citroen one I got on eBay for a steal

I was expecting an epic fight to get the old one out but as soon as it saw the massive 22mm spanner it gave in with nothing more that a whimper...

It looked as if it had been happily sitting in the downpipe for many years too...

The old one had a black connector with a different key to the green connector on the new one. I just chopped off the key on the green connector and it fitted a treat...

I watched closely on my ELIT and note that the system swaps from open-loop to closed-loop mixture regulation (i.e. starts to take notice of the oxygen sensor) when the coolant temperature is at exactly 60 degrees...

The new sensor certainly cycles between low (20mV) and high (950mV) a lot faster than the old one...

A test drive finds sally running beautifully... Let's hope her little hesitation problem are now in the past

If not, next up to swap is the coolant temperature sensor...

Own Work

Sally will be getting a new exhaust all the way back from the cat for Christmas... If she doesn't she'll not get a new MoT in January...

[Stickyfinger]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Saxo ... SwnHZYiHSD

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-CITROEN ... Swg~BZ63h6

[CitroJim]

Thanks Alasdair, appreciated but I no longer do exhausts... It's a job I farm out to the garage following my last foray into replacing exhausts that ended up almost killing me I utterly hate doing exhausts - even more than I hate doing CV joint boots...

In truth, I've not got the facilities here (a ramp and assistance) to do it so my MOT man can do the job when she goes in for an MOT...

[Michel]

Thanks Alasdair, appreciated but I no longer do exhausts... It's a job I farm out to the garage following my last foray into replacing exhausts that ended up almost killing me I utterly hate doing exhausts - even more than I hate doing CV joint boots...

In truth, I've not got the facilities here (a ramp and assistance) to do it so my MOT man can do the job when she goes in for an MOT...

Even when I had the proper facilities to do them, they always went to a garage. What a pain in the arse they are! I know of at least 3 garages who send exhaust jobs to the exhaust centre..

[Zelandeth]

Seconded! The only car I would touch them myself was the Skoda - and even that turned into a royal pain last time when two of the studs snapped off the manifold.

Speaking of the Skoda - still not heard anything from the garage, had hoped it would be done today, but looks like that won't be happening. We both know how hectic the day can turn at that garage though.

Worst exhaust I remember doing: 1988 Rover 213. Stupid system with two rear silencers and the system running the full width of the car. All of the fastenings involved were made of chocolate it seemed like and it took about 5 attempts to get everything lined up right so it didn't knock against the bodywork anywhere.

[daviemck2006]

Gabbys exhaust is now having a clonk from the rear while she is starting. It’s on the have a look job list for a dry day

[CitroJim]

Gabbys exhaust is now having a clonk from the rear while she is starting.

She always did that with me but only occasionally Davie... It'll be the exhaust contacting the front anti-roll bar...

A very common Xantia issue..

No worries on the Skoda delay Zel, the Wrestlers often, when they know there's no hurry, do it when they can, especially when they know it's one of mine... Whenever I have them do anything my stock response is 'no rush at all...'

Sally is currently in Skoda's place on the drive and she'll be there all day as I'll be cycling to work today... It's far too nice (for late November) not to...

[Zelandeth]

Glad to report that the Skoda is now safely at its new home with a fresh MOT.

[CitroJim]

Glad to report that the Skoda is now safely at its new home with a fresh MOT.

Excellent Thanks Zel, that's wonderful and really, really appreciated Just about to set off on my bike on a very windy day heading for home!

[CitroJim]

I could not resist taking Skoda for a little drive along my private test track this afternoon...

I'm amazed at just what a lovely drive she is. She is utterly beautiful to drive and she suits me perfectly... Once I've put her on the road properly it's going to be a real pleasure driving her

Having the engine in the back makes for a quiet car

I know she's well worth the time and effort I'm going to put into her to make her really lovely I'm even more delighted now!

She may be an Eastern-Bloc Communist-era car from an age ago and based on a very old design but she surely doesn't feel like it. Shades of the Citroen GS...

[Zelandeth]

Well said Jim. It's really interesting to compare the Lada to the Skoda. The latter while especially inside looking even more dated, feels like a properly modern car to drive in comparison. The ride puts pretty much anything save for some Citroens to shame - even if the rearward weight bias does make the ride feel a bit odd at first (the front sort of bobs up and down gently with seemingly no regard for what the rest of the car is up to).

The brakes feel poor just now, but I'm sure just cleaning the discs up will sort that out, they should feel pretty sharp really. The handbrake feels like it could stop the rotation of the earth itself though (and indeed throw the car clear off the brake testing rollers)...so that seems to be just fine!

[CitroJim]

That's right Zel, it feels like a properly modern car! After driving Skoda I immediately drove Saxo and no 'adjustments' if you know what I mean, was required between the two... Speaks volumes as the Saxo really is a really wonderful drive and my small car baseline reference....

Both put the 207 very much in the shade... Shame on PSA that a really modern car is humbled by two oldies

I'll look at the front brakes very soon and yes, already noted how good the handbrake is

[Zelandeth]

Given you've got a lathe, probably an easy way to clean the discs up right there! Just be aware that the outer race of the wheel bearing resides immediately inside the hub of the disc (they're taper bearings too, so adjustable). Not a problem, so long as you're aware of it.

As far as I can tell, the front brakes have never been apart...which is slightly scary! I decided to utilise the well learned approach of "if it looks horrible but is working perfectly - leave it well alone" when I first got the car.

You really will have to have a quick shot of the Lada in a quiet private testing area sometime so you can compare - it will be blindingly obvious in about 0.32 seconds how much more modern a car the Skoda feels.

You see what I was meaning now though when I said that it was absolutely improbably comfortable for a car that was in such a budget market position though?

[CitroJim]

You see what I was meaning now though when I said that it was absolutely improbably comfortable for a car that was in such a budget market position though?

Oh yes, most emphatically so...

[demag]

I loved my old Skoda and that was the basic cooking model. Was it the 108? with the small engine. But it was eerily quiet inside with no creaks or growns whatsoever, just a hardly audible whirring noise from the rear.