Xantia fans

[CitroJim]

I do not think I would do a 10 mile commute in my V6, the extra petrol used when cold will be quite high and they take an age to warm up.

I used to use mine for a 6 mile commute and I can definitely say that it was just getting warm on arrival... Not as bad as when i did the same commute in an HDi Xantia in the winter - the rad was often still stone-cold on arrival!

The C1 is only just warm too after that sort of run...

Hence I commute by bike when I can...

[Stickyfinger]

Exactly my point Jim, not a good way to save money if you have a cash flow problem.

[CitroJim]

Exactly my point Jim, not a good way to save money if you have a cash flow problem.

Indeed Amazing how much you save (and gain) using a bike for such a commute

[Stickyfinger]

I for one cannot understand a "10 mile commute" as it is ideal bike-it distance.

[white exec]

I do not think I would do a 10 mile commute in my V6, the extra petrol used when cold will be quite high and they take an age to warm up.

Am a bit puzzled by this.

If it were a diesel, leaving home and heading off downhill, then I'd expect just that: an irritatingly slow warm-up - which is why many modern diesels have electric PTC heaters for the cabin heater.

But we're talking petrol, here, and (by all accounts) one getting through a fair bit of fuel (and therefore generating lots of heat) as well.
So what's not right?
A poorly designed cooling system, or thermostat location or figure?
System designed around a single thermostat?
Heater matrix not running directly off the heads with the thermostat closed?

I've had plenty of cars, even chunky V8's, where the 'stat might have taken a while to open, and the temp gauge to start shifting, but useful warmth comes out of the heater within a few hundred metres of setting off.

[Stickyfinger]

The "heat sink" is the important think for an engine, not just the coolant/cylinder temps....also do not forget the gearbox temps, esp with an Auto box.

[CitroJim]

I for one cannot understand a "10 mile commute" as it is ideal bike-it distance.

Bloody excellent for keeping you fit and healthy

[Stickyfinger]

feck that....use the saved money for Beer and Pies !

[CitroJim]

feck that....use the saved money for Beer and Pies !

Defeats the object of the exercise

[xantia_v6]

I did a 10 mile commute in a Xantia V6, the only route was a busy but narrow A road that was not at all cyclist friendly.

I would say that the heater would be blowing hot air after about a mile and a half.

[Stickyfinger]

Not talking about the hot air, I am talking about it being bad for the engine and s**t on the economics

[CitroJim]

Not talking about the hot air, I am talking about it being bad for the engine

Indeed... Agreed that hot air soon issues from a V6 on even the coldest days but...

I noted that when I used my C1 on my short commute last winter the oil became contaminated with 'mayonnaise' to the extent I had to change it long before it was technically due...

This winter, not using it for the commute, I did not have the problem at all.

My bike power unit enjoys mayonnaise actually, especially when combined with hard-boiled eggs

On the subject of hot air, you can't beat a TCT Activa for speed in that respect. I have heat at the end of my Close and that's yards away from my drive... That includes the wait for the hydraulic pressure to rise up which nicely starts up the warm-up process...

[white exec]

The "heat sink" is the important think for an engine, not just the coolant/cylinder temps....also do not forget the gearbox temps, esp with an Auto box.

No, no. That's dodging the issue.
Auto'box produces heat, so should - in terms of getting things warm - should be better than a manual.

Given the considerable quantity of fuel being burned, what's been described has all the classic symptoms of far too low a thermostat opening temperature, or too much of the cooling circuit not being isolated by the 'stat.

Maybe there's a good reason why the 2.5 XM has two 'stats - and this big lump, burning tiny amounts of fuel compared to the V6, warms up really quickly.