Leaky ram and electrovalve!

Unread post by **Dommo** » 09 Feb 2010, 22:40

Damn, I was close with that number, just in the wrong order!

In that case then it's nothing to worry about. It seems quite a lumpy idling engine, or are my plugs/leads knackered?

Can I ask, what made you want to get rid of your Activa?

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 09 Feb 2010, 22:51

Dommo wrote:Damn, I was close with that number, just in the wrong order!

In that case then it's nothing to worry about. It seems quite a lumpy idling engine, or are my plugs/leads knackered?

Can I ask, what made you want to get rid of your Activa?

Some are worse than others. Can be lumpy after a hot restart but generally quite stable. Replacing the plugs is cheap and easy and i would do that first if they are unknown.

What made me get rid of it? An ST220 of course

There are few cars out there that suit my needs. I like powerful and sporty cars, and as cars get more modern, finding the right blend is difficult, but the ST220 manages it.

In the future, we will need more space, and the Ford has a HUGE boot, the back doors are not as wide so its easier to get kids in and out, its got airbags everywhere, has ESP, Cruise, Six speed box, full leather Recaros, a lovely engine, oh, and Vicky wanted one...

It was too cheap to miss, so it ended my Activa ownership a bit prematurely but its going to a good home and will be looked after, its a very lucky car!

Unread post by **DHallworth** » 11 Feb 2010, 01:19

Well,

Here's the pictures of the ram on my Activa:

The 4 post ramp doesn't half make jobs like this a doddle

If you lift the plastic cover on the bottom of the ram it is bone dry so I'm guessing that it's the return thats leaking.

The flare on my return pipe sticks up a bit like you can see in the pictures, it isn't right into the rubber part of the ram. I'm wondering about putting some sort of compound round it to try and seal against it.

Was impressed with how tidy this one was underneath it apart from the ram. Was in a good mood until I looked under my XM and found that the cills are completely knackered thanks to the previous owner leaving it in a hedge

David.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 11 Feb 2010, 09:13

Mine was like this David, it was also bone dry under the ram gaiter.

You'll find the return pipe comes out very easily, so I think we lightly cable tied it in place and silicone sealed around that too. No more leaks!

I say I think because my dad did that bit when I had a crippled back..

Unread post by **Dommo** » 12 Feb 2010, 12:21

The Activa now has an MOT!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Feb 2010, 12:38

Dommo wrote:The Activa now has an MOT!

Congratulations Dom

I know you put a lot of hard work into it. Well done!

Now enjoy

Unread post by **Dommo** » 12 Feb 2010, 12:49

Cheers Jim. A lot of hard work with the help of you guys of course

There were four advisories:

Nearside wishbone bushes deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

Offside " " " " " " "

Various front and rear fluid suspension spheres, valves and components have suspension fluid around them. There appears to be no leaks just remaining fluid from repair and bleeding.

Power steering when turned from left to right is less efficient on change of direction but is still working and not excessive at this time. May require further bleeding.

The first two are fine, the third one will just be old fluid as the rear subframe is quite an LHM'ey mess thanks to the electrovalve going. The last one however I'm not sure about? Basically if you turn left then right, on the changeover it's initially quite heavy. Any suggestions?

Edit - the steering thing, I remember watching a clip of Clarkson in a C6 on his Supercar Showdown DVD saying that the C6 does it. Is it just normal?

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 12 Feb 2010, 13:44

Don't know if it's right or wrong, but the steering on mine is the same. I wouldn't worry.

James

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 12 Feb 2010, 13:57

Steering - Activas seem to be heavier at idle, however, after replacing the two large o-rings on my pump where it was leaking, things have improved.
I also run with more LHM in the resevoir than the top marker calls for.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 12 Feb 2010, 14:24

Cheers fellas. I could do with replacing those o-rings actually so that could well be the issue.

Thanks! Dom.

Unread post by **Dommo** » 12 Feb 2010, 16:27

WHY IS THE ONLINE INSURANCE DATABASE SO SLOW TO UPDATE!!?!?!!!???!!!?

Sorry... I can't tax the car because the insurance database isnt updated yet. I can't use the faxed insurance cover note at the post office. And the closest DVLA 'local' (HAH) office is over an hour away!

I can't drive my 306 either. As far as the insurance database is concerned the Xantia isn't insured and the 306 is, but as far as admiral are concerned the 306 is uninsured and Xantia insured...

Grrrrr!

Unread post by **DHallworth** » 12 Feb 2010, 18:03

It usually takes around 24 hours to update.

Remember though even after you've taxed it online it's still an offence to drive it as the offence is not displaying a valid tax disc.

My local PO will accept faxed cover notes.

David.

xmexclusive · Unread post by **xmexclusive** » 13 Feb 2010, 09:03

Hi David

Law changed on 1st Sept 2008. You can legally drive or keep your vehicle on the road for up to five days from the end of the month without displaying a valid tax disc provided you have made your application (by phone or online) before your current vehicle tax/SORN expires.

John

Unread post by **Dommo** » 13 Feb 2010, 15:36

Quick question...

What does it mean when the back end sinks but the front stays up if you park it in normal ride height mode on the height selector?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Feb 2010, 16:43

It means that either the rear anti-sink valve is duff (rare), the rear corner spheres are flat or there is a leak either in a rear suspension cylinder or the piping between them, the hydractive sphere block and the anti-sink valve.

Spheres are the major suspect as they can go totally flat and rupture internally but be hardly noticed.

How quickly and by how much is she sinking Dom?

A bit of sinking over a day or so is normal enough...