Trying to source a diesel coldstart device ...

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 16 Jun 2005, 17:09

... seems impossible here in DK [8D]
(for a BX '89 diesel : the waxstat)
Various answers from stealers/dealers :
"a what ?"
"never sold one ever mate"
"we stocked a few some years back, donno where they've gone mate"
"yes - a thermostat - winter or summer ?"
"what doya need that for - why not just turn down the idle ?"
etc. etc.
GSF UK export may in fact be the only solution [8)]

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 16 Jun 2005, 17:15

Over the counter of every spares shop in the UK!!

G4EIY · Unread post by **G4EIY** » 16 Jun 2005, 17:21

Hi Anders,
Just as an experiment I took one apart, and grafted the waxstat moving part from a normal thermostat, and this has been working for about 2 years now.
Cheers

fastandfurryous · Unread post by **fastandfurryous** » 16 Jun 2005, 17:30

I've never yet had a car with one of these that works properly. I've always managed to get the engine to run just fine without them, so have never bothered. I think they're about £18 from most places here (which is a right con for what is basically the same as a £5 thermostat)
Even my current 405's waxstat has completely failed. I've cut the cable off the waxstat, and it is now nothing more than a plug to stop coolant coming out of the thermostat housing. Engine still starts/runs/idles fine.
So, Unless you REALLY want to pay to have one imported, I wouldn't bother!

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 16 Jun 2005, 20:34

Anders I'm sure that when I got one for my BX TD I was actually sold one for a ZX which was considered to be the current substituted part. (about 5 years ago). It seems that you are expected to cut the cable to fit as it came with miles of the stuff.
My car had dirty injectors and it made no difference at all (Roto-diesel pump) but when the injectors were overhauled I found it was working after all and had a nice smooth fast idle when cold. It does exactly the same on the ZX (1.9 D). Leave it off and the car hunts when cold.
I think its common to all XUD engines and probably others.
GSF list them (if I've identified them correctly) as cold start cables in their catalogue as part number N18860 and interestingly have a different number for the ZX. (price about £10)
jeremy

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 16 Jun 2005, 20:42

The later ('97 onwards) XUDs don't have the waxstat, they've got an electronic sensor and the cable is operated by vacuum device controlled via an electrovalve by the ECU. The vacuum system is no better really because the electrovalves can die (happened to me) and the vacuum hoses also go onto the EGR valve where they harden and split losing your vacuum (happened to me too) so you end up with a fast idle regardless. If the brakes had been designed to run off the same vacuum system, I would have had no power assistance on them too.

wilkobob · Unread post by **wilkobob** » 16 Jun 2005, 22:14

Im sure I replaced mine last year with one from GSF £15...

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 16 Jun 2005, 22:53

Tried my local Peug dealer [;)]
- he knew exactly what I was talking about.
"Yes - they fit all PSA diesels round the '90 buildyear - I have 2 on stock. You would have to cut excess cable lenght though."
Was cheap ! Some £16 (+ vat).
Still remember the one I bought from my local Citroen stealer - years ago. It was some £28 (+ vat).
All 3 BX diesels I've had my hands on had a defunc waxstat.
Brian :
That sounds pretty smart. I'll have a try on the old one [8D]

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 17 Jun 2005, 02:14

they may not work when when not enough coolant in system,this is certainly the case with rad fan senders,i have also found diferant size threads regards malcolm