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

[CitroJim]

Only had one brief look at an Eddystone a long while ago and my thoughts were along the lines of "beautiful made but fiendishly complicated" I think.

They are very much beautifully made Zel, For my money, one of the most finely engineered and built receivers there is... A good part of the chassis is cast and it's built like a battleship - painted like one too!!! The wiring is like a work of art..

I'll pop some pictures up in due course...

[CitroJim]

Very soon I'll be taking delivery of a new arrival to the fleet, Zel's Xantia 1.9TD

This really is going back to the beginning for me as my very first Xantia was a 1.9TD and having owned virtually all models of Xantia in between, bar the small petrols, it's going to be interesting to see how a 1.9TD feels again...

Looking forward to getting the few small issues sorted on the 1.9TD and making it good for regular runs to Somerset..

All being well I have plans for the C1 but I'll discuss those at a later stage...

[Zelandeth]

Week or two of casual fettling and you'll have things back to perfection I reckon Jim!

[CitroJim]

The 1.9TD is now insured... I'll tax it on the day it arrives...

[Chris570]

Veg

[CitroJim]

Veg

Yes, I enjoy lots of it...

[CitroJim]

Gabriel is here and is looking good I'm quite delighted with her... She's a nice, basic Sensation so is an LX in reality with a few shiny bits added... One big bonus is she has no ABS and I see this as a definite attribute

Big thanks to Zel for letting me have her

All in all, she's very clean and tidy and has worn her near-206,000 miles very well indeed. Looks like a car that’s always been cared for...



She does have a bit of lacquer peel but it just adds to the patina so I won't be doing anything much about it...

Interior is almost unmarked:



And engine bay is very clean and tidy:



Her engine runs very beautifully and goes well too. I'd forgotten just how well a good TD goes and just how comfy and well-mannered a standard non-hydractive Xantia is...

She'll be great for Somerset runs...

Her MOT is soon due and a few jobs are needed. Nothing serious...

First up is to replace her (missing) back box.. Even though it's missing she's not as noisy as you'd imagine. The turbo acts as a quite efficient silencer...

Then the rear calipers need the usual and new rear discs are needed... That could be 'fun'

And whatever a good check-over later today throws up. Judging by how she drives, not a lot I reckon...

Longer-term, she's going to need a clutch and a heater matrix... The clutch is a mite on the heavy side and I can just smell the matrix... After doing so many Activa clutches a 1.9TD BE3 clutch does not scare me - much

So, plenty to keep me busy for the next few weeks

I'm looking forward to getting stuck in...

[daviemck2006]

I've no doubt it's a good car already and will get even better once you work your magic. Two runs to Somerset instead of the activa and the fuel savings have paid the car lol

Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk

[CitroJim]

Two runs to Somerset instead of the activa and the fuel savings have paid the car lol

That's true Davie!!!

New back box on order.. Bought from the 'bay for the princely sum of £33

That'll be fitted on Friday...

[Stickyfinger]

£33.....that will last then

[CitroJim]

£33.....that will last then

It'll last long enough

[Zelandeth]

Glad you're pleased Jim!

If you need an extra pair of hands for anything don't hesitate to give me a shout.

You'll have to let me know when you eventually stop finding pine needles from the tree by our drive!

[CitroJim]

You'll have to let me know when you eventually stop finding pine needles from the tree by our drive!

Still coming thick and fast Zel

Just given her a good, thorough pre-MOT and no showstoppers found apart from the exhaust and rear discs but I did find one duff numberplate bulb and one brake flexi hose is a little bit marginal so I'll swap those before the MOT.

I always believe it helps the MOT man can see recent work has been done...

Front brake pads are well worn too so they will be done at the same time.

Apart from that, she's looking sweet

Then, in slower time I'll do the cambelt and waterpump...

She's been well examined by a few neighbours and full approval has been given

[Zelandeth]

That would be about right, pads had a year left when I had the test done last year I reckoned. Funny how you note stuff sometimes then proceed to totally forget about it until the MOT sometimes!

You're right about going into the test with fresh work on the car. Reckon the Saab going in with new front pads, a new exhaust, new tyres and a fresh set of brake hoses probably cut the time I was in there in half last year.

Noticed that the timing belt sticker on the bonnet failed to survive one of my rounds of cleaning yesterday, but did remember taking a photo of it when I originally found it, and after a bit of digging around on my PC found it. So here's when the timing belt was last done:



Obviously I've no idea whether the water pump and such was done at the time, or if it was just the belt as I didn't get any paperwork with the car...

Stupid place to put a sticker though, right at the back of the underside of the bonnet so you couldn't see it without kneeling down in front of the car, think I only spotted it when changing an indicator bulb!

[DHallworth]

That's a lovely looking car, Jim. You'd never have guessed the mileage on it by looking under the bonnet and at the interior!

David.