Confessions of a Citroholic

[mickthemaverick]

When you say the tyre is back to front are you sure they haven't put the wheels on the wrong sides?

[RichardW]

I thought about that, but unfortunately the one on the other side is correct (well it would be, wouldn't it!)....

[RichardW]

Are cars actually sentinent, and sent to annoy us?

Eldest's driving test tomorrow, planning to use the 3008. We were down at Kendal at the weekend practicing (booked a test there as there was one available and my Parents live there, compared to Scotland where there none AT ALL available in the 6 month window when I checked - and that included out of the way places like Lewis, Orkney and Shetland!) and it was fine. Then Sunday went out, and Bing! Engine fault as soon as I set off. Hmm. Not allowed EML on for driving test.... Scanned it and had fault for DPF end of life, but also temp faults for the additive pump. Cleared them, reset the DPF, took it for a good thrash, and all OK. Monday morning, family set off to Glasgow in it; bing! Engine fault, and also limp mode. Damn! Bit of a read around and decided that pump was almost certainly goosed. Got a new one ordered up, and got the tank off Mon eve (only broke 2 out of 4 bolts, not bad ) found it completely empty, so guess that has cooked the pump. PITA to get out out as there is not enough room to slide it off the clip as the chassis rail is in the way. Thanks, PSA! New tank arrived yesterday (a Chinese copy.... ) got it filled and fitted - you can get it in if you drop the corner of the fuel tank, but there are also 2 push pins holding it in which are recessed and under the exhaust heat shield, and a complete git to get back in - had to file a bit off the tank to get it to line up properly. And then substitute some cable ties for the broken bolts Back on Diagbox for the replacement and fill procedure which seemed easy - some vids show a prolonged period of pump operation to prime it, but it didn't seem to want that. Started up and no lights, filled up with diesel and took it for 15 mile drive (D test practice....!) and still no lights, so cautiously optimistic I have fixed it. Phew!

Alternatives were to use the C4, but that is a bit big and clutch is really heavy these days. Borrowed Nephew's Sandero, but 1.2 petrol, no hill hold, and manual handbrake was making life a bit difficult vs the 3008.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow - car AND test

C4 at 90k, so should probably refill the fluid on that before it empties itself without the computer knowing and breaks another tank unit!

[CitroJim]

Oh gosh, what a ballache

Are cars actually sentinent, and sent to annoy us?

We all know the answer to that question Richard. Especially French cars

Fingers crossed for tomorrow - car AND test

And from me and I'm sure all of us on here Hopefully, the new legislation will make booking driving tests a but easier from now on

[RichardW]

Pleased to report success on both counts

Now I just have to stump up for the insurance

[CitroJim]

Pleased to report success on both counts

Magic Congratulations!

Now I just have to stump up for the insurance

I feel your pain Richard

[RichardW]

Me + Mrs W was £170 (Less £45 cash back!) so basically free.

Learner insurance was £38/month so tolerable, but they want £220 a month to continue as new driver

Best I could see for an annual policy with the 3 of us when we last renewed was £1200 pa which is sore but not disastrous. Black box though, so Mrs will need to moderate her driving if she's using it

[RichardW]

I took the end cover off the additive tank and pulled the pump out. Safe to say it was past its best and the diagnosis was correct

Looks like water has got in past the end seal and rotted the pump out as it sits at the bottom - in the puddle!

[CitroJim]

Black box though, so Mrs will need to moderate her driving if she's using it

That pump looks like it's spent a thousand years under the sea

[RichardW]

Surprisingly I got insurance for under £1200 - with Direct line and without a black box. This was through a comparison site - a quote from them direct was £2500 figure that out if you can!

Today I was impressed again at just how competent these adjustables are

I've (ab)used this on the wheel bearing tool before with a 4ft pipe on it without slippage, today was a bit more tame! The Picasso has been throwing ad blue faults recently - it comes up with a non specific Comms fault, but internet suggests it's probably the NOX sensor. These are notoriously difficult to remove, but thought I would have a go just to see if on the off chance it might come out. Not just by pulling on the spanner, but a few 'light' taps with the hammer and it came loose. Not even a mark on the hex! It went a bit tight after a few flats, but back and forth suggests it's going to come out without pulling the thread Also got the 2 bolts out the bracket so good to go for a replacement.

We've also got shiny wheels now

got fed up with one of them, which had severe corrosion / laquer peel, needing pumping up every day. They were originally diamond cut, but have just had them done plain silver. Was an excuse to buy a compressor however...

3008 has broken a rear spring - heard it go when we got in it last weekend (400 miles from home...) didn't seem to be an issue, and couldn't see anything on a quick look, so drove home anyway. Loaded it up today and it was complaining - a better look shows it's def gone at the bottom.