CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 14 Oct 2009, 12:49

Give it a squirt with some spray silicon lubricant, something like an airsoft APS3 Silicone Lubricant, I find that helps small fans keep quiet and live longer. WD40 won't help you.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 14 Oct 2009, 15:00

Silicon spray is definitely the one to go for, but I'd avoid airsoft specific products simply because they're seriously over priced.
Most of us who airsoft use generic silicon spray from Halfrauds or a local hardware shop as it's much more economical.
Some dash polish is just silicon which tends to be the cheapest way to get a load, however for us we have to make sure it contains no petrolium distilates due to the o-rings we use.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 15 Oct 2009, 16:07

Ah, yours sounds much harder to get at

Its in the roof light on the Xm, 4 screws and a clip is all which holds it in. Quite handy really!

Ill get some silicon spray and give that a try, thanks for the tip.

Chris.

vince · Post by **vince** » 16 Oct 2009, 19:20

I wish i lived down your way Jim, it seems like all the enjoyable stuff goes on down there...like rides in Richard's DS for example

Post by **CitroJim** » 16 Oct 2009, 21:46

vince wrote:like rides in Richard's DS for example

I must admit Vince, I find Richard's DS magical

A ride in it is always a delight and something very special, especially at night with those yellow headlights. I like them so much I'd like to get some yellow bulbs for mine. It's quite legal to do so and the other day I read up on yellow headlights. Originally the French used them to identify French cars during WW2. If a car showed white headlights it must be the enemy and fair game; yellow meant a Frenchman at the wheel so hold fire...

That's not the only reason though. The don't have any blue in them and this helps night visibility as the eye cannot focus on blue as well as colours further down the spectrum so if the eye is not forced to see blue it'll have clearer vision. I know for a fact that I can barely focus on blue at all so they may actually help me. All blues to me look very blurred, especially blue LEDs...

Nothing much to report on my fleet this week. They're both going very well and a check over the V6 this evening ready for Somerset tomorrow showed all to be in fine fettle.

On Monday I'm off to see Gareth and spend the day with him working on his Activa. A very good and enjoyable day awaits.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 16 Oct 2009, 22:27

vince wrote:I wish i lived down your way Jim, it seems like all the enjoyable stuff goes on down there...

Your not the only one! Its lonely up here

So far away from everything interesting!

Chris.

vince · Post by **vince** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:46

Here here......

We need to get a meet going up here

Jim, really interesting facts about the history of yellow french headlamps.....something to tell the guys at work about

They're not much into french cars....well apart from ex Citroen Steve.

I will have to resume my search for some yellow H1's......the fogs look great at night and its funny what you say about yellow lights at night and clearer vision....do you remember the old "amber vision" night driving glasses that you used to be able to get in the 80's etc. I have for many years now driven with yellow sun glasses at night if my eyes are a little tired. Ive got 3 pairs now including a pair of the original "amber vision" ones....trouble is the lenses are that big its like being an extra on the movie "the fly" they are huge and look daft

Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:51

Interesting stuff, I wouldn't have looked such a numpty in another post
minutes earlier had I read this thread first! I've always understood yellows
were illegal - I'm sure from grief I got on my GS from an MOT guy years ago.

Andrew

vince · Post by **vince** » 17 Oct 2009, 22:00

Hence the question about supporting legislation.....i didnt think an MOT tester would know

Jim a quick update.....i have emailed Tokyo Express for price and availability on the Polarg Pure Yellow H1's. When i get an answer i will post it up

Well Jim the answer came back.......not the greatest news im afraid.

Hi,

We have no availability on the Polargs any more sorry, we have Nokia and Halo at 35.00 for a pair and 38.00 for a pair respectively.

Regards

Duncan

01726 833330
www.Tokyo-Express.co.uk
[email protected]

Hell they are dear

. Im not entirely convinced that the light emitted would be up to scratch....the Polarg's came very well recommended. Its a bit dear to take a chance

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 19:40

vince wrote: Jim a quick update.....i have emailed Tokyo Express for price and availability on the Polarg Pure Yellow H1's. When i get an answer i will post it up

Great stuff Vince

many thanks...

Yesterday Siany (my youngest daughter) and I took a trip to Somerset and back in the V6 to visit Dad (Grandad) and happily, the V6 ran like a clock there and back, no worries at all

Kev (Red_Dwarfers) arrived late on Saturday night to stay over before he visited Santa Pod today. Sadly due to other commitments I was unable to go. I had a lot of work to do at home to get ready for next week and to go and see Gareth tomorrow.

I took Kev for a spin in the Activa and took him around a few of the finest roundabouts in Milton Keynes!

I think he enjoyed it

Work done, I had a look at the dead EPIC Diesel Pump Mark21td gave me. I found the EPIC is dead easy to strip apart and a lot easier than either a Lucas DPC mechanical or a Bosch VP20. The pump in question was almost seized but not quite. When opened it was found to be full of horrible old fuel that had literally, totally and entirely gummed up the works including the timing ring and lift pump. It smells like finest Dulux! After a good clean the pump will be as good as new again as there is no wear or damage apparent.

So badly gummed up is the pump that the two high pressure pumping elements were totally seized in their bores

I also discovered the bit that fails on the ESOS electrovalves and causes running-on. Follow the green arrow in the picture below..

An this is the pump in bits...

The EPIC is really not a scary pump, easy to overhaul and a victim of a lot of urban myths. There are NO sensors inside the pump and apart from the four ESOS electrovalves, it is entirely mechanical. So, never worry if an EPIC becomes sick. They are just pussycats and more amenable to repair than some Internet sources will have you believe!

Xantia_v6 came to visit me this afternoon. I expected him to roll up in one of his Xantia V6s but no, he came along in his V12 E-Type Jaguar

What a gorgeous car

I thoroughly enjoyed a good look around it and the music produced by that beautiful engine.

In the back of the E-Type were a couple of duff Blaupunkt CD Changers for me to look at as a winter project when the workshop is untenable. Plenty to keep me occupied!

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:35

vince wrote:Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either

When I brought the Goddess from France I extensively researched the subject of yellow headlights as I wanted to keep the original French feel to the car, so I contacted VOSA for the relevant legislation as well as the MOT Testers rules and regs and can confirm that headlights can be either white or yellow in colour (no others).

BTW Jim is being rather discreet when he describes "I had a ride in Richards DS", yes he did have a ride but a little later after much cajoling I managed to get him to get behind the wheel and take her out for a drive around the dark lanes close to where I live

I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:47

DickieG wrote: I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

Aww, thanks Richard! I'm still smiling from that fantastic drive

It truly is a magical experience to drive a DS

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 19 Oct 2009, 09:55

Wow, the inside of my old EPIC, it does look quite simple and nowhere near as complicated as I thought it would.

As for being gumed up, it has been off the car and siting in my boot for about 9 mounths, it also saw some bio diesel (It was the bio that showed up the running problems) but was running when removed, although it was reving from 500 to 2500rpm when on so called tickover but when driveing was fine.

I still have another epic pump in the shed (in good condition) that I had a buyer for but he scraped the car before picking up the pump.
I supose I should put it in the for sale section.

vince · Post by **vince** » 20 Oct 2009, 00:24

DickieG wrote:
vince wrote:Richard could you supply any relevant legislation about running yellow headlamps on modern cars? Is it common knowledge within the police or are we likely to be stopped for them?

I very much doubt MOT testers know anything about it either
When I brought the Goddess from France I extensively researched the subject of yellow headlights as I wanted to keep the original French feel to the car, so I contacted VOSA for the relevant legislation as well as the MOT Testers rules and regs and can confirm that headlights can be either white or yellow in colour (no others).

BTW Jim is being rather discreet when he describes "I had a ride in Richards DS", yes he did have a ride but a little later after much cajoling I managed to get him to get behind the wheel and take her out for a drive around the dark lanes close to where I live I must say that Jim did very well coping with LHD, the semi auto gearbox and non cancelling indicators.

OMG

Jim you lucky boy 8) Im pretty sure id be bowled over after that too.....Id love to drive all 3 of Citroens dream team.....DS, SM, and 2CV

Richard i cant imagine the grin factor would ever fade with the DS irrespective of how long you had it

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 20 Oct 2009, 03:54

jim I meant to say earlier that pump has only done about 100K, how worn is it inside ?