Dying Citroen

druist · Post by **druist** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:09

The clutch on my Xantia TDS 1.9 seems to be going and the cost is prohibitive to getting it done (it will cost close to what i paid for the car). The rest of the car is great, engine fine, bodywork ok. If you was in my position what would you do now?
1. Would i get anything for it re value for spares
2. Take it to scrapyard - obviously costs me money
3. Ebay or something similar
4. Other?

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:24

Option 4-other!!!
If you are thinking about scrapping it, you might just as well buy a clutch kit, axle stands, and socket set and have a go yourself- time consuming but not difficult, its just nuts and bolts!!
If all goes wrong you can still cut it up for spares or scrap it!!

Robin · Post by **Robin** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:25

Druist, I am approaching the same dilemma with my partners R reg 1.9TD. So my thinking runs like this - I have known this car since new, it has 130k on it and we would need to spend around £1k or more to materially improve on it. It should be good for a further 100k plus following clutch replacement. My decision is to have the clutch done.
So if your car is otherwise sound and you feel confident about it otherwise I would put a new clutch in yours too! Robin
Is there a business opportunity for someone to specialise in clutch replacements for Xants? R.

CommY · Post by **CommY** » 21 Feb 2005, 18:53

Scrapping a car shouldn't cost you, you should get money for it. All the local scrap yards to me (Darlington) pay you for cars and if none want them you get paid weighing it in at the local scrap metal merchant.
Don't turn up dressed smartly and speaking posh and I'll bet you will get cash for it.
If you are local to me I'll buy it off you or I'll fix the clutch for you.

druist · Post by **druist** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:03

the thing is i have been quotes the best part of 500quid to get a new clutch put in. bxbodger given time i would do this, but thats something i dont have. Though i can see a logic for getting it done from what Robin is saying. Otherwise i have to pay out for another car which is going to be more.
BTW i am only guessing its the clutch - it feels like the handbrake is on all the time, cant seem to go at normal acceleration. Also some smoke came out of the engine yesterday when going up a hill and revving too much.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:11

Druist, I have just got a price from my local Citroen 'Authorised Repairer' of £586 all in and using genuine Citroen parts. (this makes the parts just £20 more than the GSF price) I also get a loan car for the time it's in. They quote 7.5 hours so they are charging me £50/ hour Ouch!!
The Cit clutch especially on the TD's is a job I would not want to take on willingly even though I can juggle spanners. Also while they are in there they can deal with the leaking coolant connector on the back of the block!

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:25

The Xantia TD clutch isn't too much of an ordeal, if you've got somebody to help you with the lifting and carrying.
Undertray off, drain gear oil, remove driveshafts, remove air filter housing and pipework, remove battery, unbolt PR from gearbox, disconnect reverse switch and speedo drive, unclip wiring etc. Gearbox off, clutch off, assembly is reverse.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 21 Feb 2005, 19:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Scrapping a car shouldn't cost you, you should get money for it<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not in London and the S.E.!!!!
Most scrappies will charge 25 to 30 quid to do you the favour of taking it away!!
My local metal recycler WILL take a car without charging, but you have to first get it there, then take the wheels off and take them away with you as they won't deal with tyres.
This is why there are so many abandoned cars around now. The London Borough of Waltham Forest will take them away for nothing, but only if you are a resident.............

Richard Gallagher · Post by **Richard Gallagher** » 21 Feb 2005, 20:13

Not any more Bxbodger, I had scrappies knocking ay my door asking to take away a Xantia I was scrapping. Its due to the price of scrap metal increasing in China etc.

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 21 Feb 2005, 20:13

You sure you cant et the clutch done any cheaper? How about you supply the pats and get a garage to fit. Done this my self years back on an old Austin maxi, saved at the time a lot of cash (£100) suspension job.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 21 Feb 2005, 20:30

Thats a bit of an unfair comparison!! A Maxi clutch is almost too easy[:)]- it can be done in about 45 minutes by anyone who's done it at least once before, a Xantia involves a lot more stripping down[xx(], I would have thought.

ItDontGo · Post by **ItDontGo** » 21 Feb 2005, 21:37

A scruffy little back alley garage in the more poverty stricken part of town changed the clutch on my old Escort for £70 all-in. Ofcourse they would want more for a Xantia and it was a few years ago but they did a decent job.

druist · Post by **druist** » 22 Feb 2005, 15:43

i am gonna get it done, cant afford to buy another car, the engine and other bits on xant are too good. Just trying to get the best quote. Citroen garage = 475inc vat.
What is it with the citroen? Why so much, does it take a lot longer to do?

alan s · Post by **alan s** » 22 Feb 2005, 15:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by druist

What is it with the citroen? Why so much, does it take a lot longer to do?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not really; it's just that Citroen owners are usually a pretty soft touch for dodgy repairers, it's like that Worldwide, that's why they hate the internet. We talk about it and catch 'em out.[:0]
Alan S[}:)]

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 22 Feb 2005, 16:48

Have you tried a clutch specialist? (Mr Clutch etc) - alternatively small garage - preferably on a recommendation?
Jeremy