Latest purchase blog

[MikeT]

Nothing much to update on the Xantia other than an oil/filter change 1000miles ago.
Then the drivers window broke on me as documented/fixed here http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=49915" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And following this post http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=49989" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; have today resealed the roof bar bolt holes and also added a regresh layer of sealant across the windscreen scuttle trying to reduce/eliminate the bane of a badly misting windscreen on cold mornings.

It's great I can get warm air through the vents after about half a mile's driving but by that time, the condensation is so bad, I've taken to leaving all the windows down open for the first few minutes of my journey(s) - brrrrrrr!

[Hell Razor5543]

If the car has air con, and it works (and has enough gas) when you switch the heater controls to de-mist it switches on the aircon (well, it does on S2 Xantia). However, something else I find helps is to make sure the glass is a clean as possible, as condensation needs seed points (and dirt on the glass is perfect). It also helps the de-mist to work more quickly.

Something else I do is to Rain-X the windscreen. While it helps to improve the visibility, it also makes scraping the ice off much easier. I would not use a de-icer spray, as that might also take the Rain-X off. I intend to do the rest of the outside glass soon.

[MikeT]

I'm a big fan of RainX, must get some more.
No A/C, James, it was disabled before I bought the car (compressor clutch seized).

So onto the next issue - I parked up one day with steering left appx 30degrees pointing right and on return noted the car was contorted as if nearside rear wheel only was up the kerb. On starting the engine, the suspension straightened itself up.

Adding to this I can hear what I guess is a droplink knock from offside/front wheel/suspension area...

I got to hold my hands up and admit I went cheap on replacement droplinks two years ago and I've recently been noticing a knocking sound from the side I replaced. IIRC. the droplink connects to the torsion bar. The torsion bar connects to the dog bone. The dog bone connects to the height corrector - is there a connection to the one-sided sag I witnessed?

ETA: So I prised the dust covers off the unused droplink and guess how many greasy balls I have?

[MikeT]

I know Lemfroder are the trusted droplink brand but can anyone vouch for the equally expensive offering from GSF made by TRW?
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/steeri ... stabiliser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Note there's two options of quality - Standard and Premium.

[Hell Razor5543]

I got my Lemforder drop links from carparts4less, and they were (and still are) £18:30 each (free P&P).

[MikeT]

Cheers James, that site is quoting me same price as the GSF TWR, perhaps you're a loyal customer getting special price?

Is there a way to test if a droplink needs replacing? I crawled under and tried to stress the suspect linkages but didn't observe anything untoward.

[Hell Razor5543]

I was not getting any special price, but it may be that my Xantia has a different design of drop links than your? I know there is a difference between those for mine and that of a V6 Xantia.

[MikeT]

Could be that James.

Anyway, deed is done, new TRW droplink replaced old rubbish droplink I put on less than two years ago and the annoying knock has gone. It may be placebo but I believe I feel a slight improvement in the steering too.

[MikeT]

Yet another mystery to try and track down, so any suggestions welcome as it's got me really scratching my head.

Last drove the car last night so it's been standing no longer than 24 hours. I put the key in the door lock (new-ish habit rather than using key fob/remote locking) and it didn't make the expected noises, though the door opened for me, leaving me to think I actually forgot to lock the car last night.

Key in the ignition and it starts beeping at me (like when you leave lights on or open door without removing key from ignition) and while waiting for glow plug light to extenguish, notice both clock and 3rd-party radio were reset - as if the battery had been disconnected or I had a flat battery but... The car fired up as normal and I made my journey ok except when I parked and got out and tried to open the back door found out it was locked, as where all the other three doors - hence the beeping earlier I guess. On locking the car up for the night, all seemed well but this series of events has me confuddled

[CitroJim]

My experience Mike, is that they all do that occasionally for no good reason at all apart from because they're French!

[MikeT]

Found the culprit (clock reset was the clue) and it's my own daft fault - poorly tightened battery connector.

So I'm particularly pleased to report that despite -2 degrees showing on the dash, she still starts first crank. Screen fogging is still a problem though it doesn't appears as severe as before so hope my resealing the scuttle and roof bar bolt holes has helped on that score.

[CitroJim]

Excellent Mike I see no reason for you to change her for another car

[MikeT]

Well it's that time of year again. I honestly thought I'd have replaced the Xantia by now - how wrong I was.

So she's just tipped over 140,000 miles and will be presented for an MOT this afternoon. I'm expecting it to fail on at least the N/S lower arm as this was advisory from last year (along with "little movement" on rear supsension and "little reserve travel" on the handbrake).

Considering how little mileage I'm clocking up annually, I'm concerned it's going through suspension and steering parts so rapidly but then again it's been maintained on a shoestring budget with me doing what work I'm able to save on garage costs. Any major/costly fault flagged up will most likely mean the end of our relationship.

[CitroJim]

Good luck with the MOT Mike..

I'm sure it'll pass with little needed and that shows it's worth hanging on to..

That's been a good car for you hasn't it?

[MikeT]

That's been a good car for you hasn't it?

"Cheap" (cost me £185 incl full tank of diesel) is the word I would use. If you recall Jim, I was turned onto veg-burning with the white xantia you saw and after passing it off before it's MOT, looked for another as 30p per litre fuel was a huge attraction for me.

Having had a life of being in the hands of cowboys, poor thing ended up in my clutches and bodging has continued. In that respect, yes, it's been a very good car.