My unloved unwanted ZX

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 13 Jul 2011, 08:03

its probably the XANT unstuck/bonded skuttle syndrom,

or maybe the skuttle drain's are blocked so rain water is overflowing in through the cab air intake,

or if it has a tilt and slide sunshine roof it might have a damaged roof gulley drain tube,

regards malcolm

C.J. · Unread post by **C.J.** » 13 Jul 2011, 09:03

citronut wrote:its probably the XANT unstuck/bonded skuttle syndrom,

or maybe the skuttle drain's are blocked so rain water is overflowing in through the cab air intake,

or if it has a tilt and slide sunshine roof it might have a damaged roof gulley drain tube,

regards malcolm

I'll check that out Mal., thanks.

I was staggered when I saw just how much water was in there.
Could actually use it as an aquatic feature to try help sell it tbh.

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 13 Jul 2011, 14:48

Hi Colin, this Citronut has thrown you a red herring there!

ZXs dont suffer the same problem as the Xantia with the bonded plastic scuttle.

However, Malc is right about the sunroof, if one is fitted. Chances are the front drain holes are blocked. If so, they are easy to clear. Slide the panel right back and in both the corners, if you remove all the crud, you will find the two front drain holes.

A bit of fine welding wire, with the end turned over so no sharp points and about three foot long and you can go rodding. Gently push the rod into the crud and by using a twisting motion, slowly push the rod down the tubing until it feels free. Look under the wing and you should see the end of the rod.

If not you've done something wrong, as the drain tube does not come off easily.

Next get a watering can and pour water into the gully around the roof opening. Best to stand inside the car to observe, as we dont want more water in the car, do we?

If you are quick, and look under the wing, you may just see the water exiting the drain tube, along with the blocking fish.

If you ain't not got no sunroof, then the seal around the top of the windscreen is leaking. Gently lift the edge of the rubber trim to see if there is any gaps. Silicone sealant usually does the trick. You can normally tell if it is the screen as there is usually a telltale on the inside of the screen where the water has come in.

Finally if it aint either of these, open the bonnet and check the flat section in the firewall and the inner wings for rust/rot/missing grommets. I have seen some with rust right in the corners, but its not usually picked up on the MOT.

If its none of these, you are a very lucky man, as with a few goldfish and an underwater derelict castle, you have the perfect water feature, guaranteed to keep your passengers amused for many hours on long journeys. $\:D/$

H

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 13 Jul 2011, 15:16

Chris, I know this is OT but I'm sure Colin wont mind, as you've spotted my trailer!

Made from the back-end of my old Xantia estate which had done sterling service at over 260K miles as a petrol engined version, but tin worm had decided to nest in the rear D panels seams, but not the sills.

So I thought, rather than junk it, I would make up a trailer by cutting off the front bit just forward of the B post, making up a new front section. All the interior and the rear sub frame has been removed to be replaced by a 306 beam axle I bought on that nasty auction site for 99p and a set of bracing bars coupled to the tow hitch and a brake master cylinder.

The rig no longer retains the hydropneumatics,

and it took a number of tries to get the balance right for towing, but it is getting there, running on ZX 14" alloy wheels. It still retains the three rear doors, with all the glass being removed, 'cept the rear flap, and having polycarbonates fitted. It is big enough to sleep in but SWMBO said there was no way she would.

Same colour as our Mk2 estate, quartz sliver, so they are a matching pair.

However I am tempted to make the roof removeable as I need a trailer to transport motorcycles for my classic bike hire business. Either that or buy a HY van, which is my prefered route, but stick a more modern donkey and transmission innit.

Do that answer your query? I may try and tow it to one of the meets soon or post up some piccies on here.

If anybody wants one, I can do the conversion again. I look upon it as true recycling as it keeps another Xantia on the road!

Handyman

C.J. · Unread post by **C.J.** » 13 Jul 2011, 18:21

Hey Handy', thanks for that most comprehensive of troubleshooting instructions. I shall try them all to rectify the situation, tar.

Does water dripping from mid way along the bottom of the glove box lid point at any 1 of the potential problems do you think?

Go off topic all you want btw. Doesn't bother me in the slightest tbh. Always interested to read what you lot have got to say.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 13 Jul 2011, 19:03

i agree with some of Mr R Handdyman Sir says regarding the tin worm work in the skutle area, but also i have seen the skutle drains blocked causeing water to enter the car via the heater air intake,

i dont agree with rodding the drain tubes ever, i belive it is better to blow them out from the bottom ends,

i also dont think you would see water entering up behind the glove box from the sun roof gulley overfill,

regards malcolm

C.J. · Unread post by **C.J.** » 13 Jul 2011, 19:11

I shall report back when I've actually plucked up enough enthusiasm to collect this heap of trouble from the auction house.
Feel like just leaving it there tbh.

C.J. · Unread post by **C.J.** » 13 Jul 2011, 19:13

I could tax it and come down to the Citroen O.C show on Sunday!

Someone might like to buy it!!

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 13 Jul 2011, 23:39

Ah ha, Mr Malc, Sir Citronut, tis possible to see water in glove box area if it has eminated via blocked sunroof gulley drain hole vents, as water splills over from the gulley into headlining, down lefthand windscreen pillar interior trim, thence onto dash panel and exiting via the underside of glovebox, giving that wonderful waterfall effect that we all desire in the ZX interior water feature.

Alternatively, you might be right about scuttle area.

Why, even the mighty Sir David Attenborough did a chapter in the Trials of Life about how the ZX blocking fish migrates to its spawning ground in the sunroof gulley via this tortuos route. Even less is known about this fish than the migration of the eels to the Sargasso Sea.

I undrstand your concerns about the blowing out from the bottom end, especially when in public.

CJ. you must learn to love your inner ZX, for a completeness in life.

If you were nearer to here, Malc or I could get it shifted PDQ. It is not unknown to see queues of bods waiting to buy up old ZXs.

H

RobinMasters · Unread post by **RobinMasters** » 16 Jul 2011, 23:27

handyman wrote:Come and join the exclusive club of ZX drivers.

Handyman

I've never been in an 'exclusive club' before!!

Gibbo2286 · Unread post by **Gibbo2286** » 17 Jul 2011, 09:24

One thing with the water ingress, nobody seem to have thought about is the possibility that the idiots at the auction left the window open all the time it was in their yard.

handyman · Unread post by **handyman** » 17 Jul 2011, 13:06

Gibbo, that is too obvious!

H

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