Admiral51 Citroen Adventures

[Citroenmad]

Very good blog, dont think ive read much of this one before but its an interesting read

I didnt know you got your car from Andrew, how did that slip out Andrew?

Looks a very nice car, love the seats, the 2.0 16v is certainly a good engine, really economical when you want it to be too.

Well done for having a go at the bodywork yourself, i wouldnt have the bottle to even attempt that. But it looks good, you have a nice shiny finish there too. I bet that would have cot you the best part of £200 250 at a bodyshop, so well worth doing.

Good luck with the rest of the work on the VSX, Ill have to keep an eye on this blog more often

Chris.

[CitroJim]

Did someone say the heater matrix is now a walk in the park job

If someone did Colin, let me categorically state here and now (with hands still bearing the physical scars and brain still bearing the mental ones following three in one week) that it was neither Xac or I

Having said that, Xac and I have found a few dodges that makes the job a tad easier and less long-winded. It is now reduced to an eight hour slog

I will, whilst it's all still fresh in my memory, do a full guide on the job. Basically it's just one bing tedious strip down and rebuild with one big potential pitfall - the water elbow connector on the bulkhead.

We do know, and you'll be delighted at this, that the MK1 is the easier of the two to do. How clear a view do you have of the elbow connector on the bulkhead. It's a lot happier to do if you have good two-handed access to it but I'm not sure how badly the wide cambox of the 16V head obscures it.

By comparison, the rest of the work pretty straightforward

Good to see this VSX really coming together for you Colin!

[DickieG]

How clear a view do you have of the elbow connector on the bulkhead. It's a lot happier to do if you have good two-handed access to it but I'm not sure how badly the wide cambox of the 16V head obscures it.

Not at all, its the turbo engines that make access difficult, but even having said that the elbow is still vulnerable to breaking.

[admiral51]

Been a quiet time on the Xantia front unfortunately and not had much to update but as always things seem to happen all at once so here goes

First off i now find myself inbetween jobs a situation not expected and unfortunately not one i can expand on at the moment but thanks to Mike T and Jim for allowing me to vent my frustrations
Now on to serious matters the VSX and TD

I did attempt to aquire a set of heated/electrical Leather seats from a mk11 Xantia for my VSX the aim being to move the current leathers into the TD but unfortunately the condition of the donor seats meant that plan was aborted and instead i aquired a pair of front seats from a mk11 for the mk1 TD (cloth ) but they are in much better condition than those in there at present The swap was planned for today but as it was a little damp down here i postponed till a later date(any dry one will do)

I have also abandoned the heater matrix as this is not leaking and i really didnt have the stomach for it but i feel it will be done sooner rather than later as my spirits have improved the last few days
Unable to afford the cambelt etc that was due to be done last week but with a bit of good housekeeping that may still be done in the next 2 weeks

I have the front disks and pads ready to go on all i need to do is get the blasted broken wheel bolt out first

On a happier note i have finally sorted out the suspension problems that i have had with the VSX
I have now replaced both rear and front corner spheres for non hydractive ones and the car is soooooooooooo smooooth over the road its unreal 8) 8)
I have still got the old corner spheres and the rear centre hydractive sphere so hopefully something can be arranged with Martin to get these regassed so i have a good correct set to go back on

I did also manage to find/aquire a set of genuine mudflaps lying around at the scrappy(pays to have a big toolbox )and these will also be going on the VSX shortly

Thanks to Gareth for his advice i hope to be able to semi restore the paintwork to its former glory

See i feel much better already

Colin

[CitroJim]

Excellent stuff Colin, not a bad idea to postpone the heater matrix until you're in exactly the right mood to do it and can guaranteed a full day of fine weather. This weekend has not been right at all for such a job...

I have now replaced both rear and front corner spheres for non hydractive ones and the car is soooooooooooo smooooth over the road its unreal 8) 8)

Yes, they do make the car a bit dreamy. Pleased you find them good. If it's comfort you're after and happy to sacrifice a bit of taut handling for it then non-hydractive spheres are the way to go

[MikeT]

I have also abandoned the heater matrix as this is not leaking and i really didnt have the stomach for it but i feel it will be done sooner rather than later as my spirits have improved the last few days

I'm keen to witness this infamous job so if lending a hand is an encouragement, let me know?

[CitroJim]

I'm keen to witness this infamous job so if lending a hand is an encouragement, let me know?

Infamous? They get easier after the third...

I'd say a helping hand is essential Mike, if only to help lift out the dash and offer words of encouragement!!! I'm sure Colin will be eternally grateful for any help you can offer...

[red_dwarfers]

If you would like another pair of hands with the heater matrix give us a shout Colin

PS I still haven't got around to sorting out my CD Changer yet

[admiral51]

Im all up for another double pair of hands will definitely keep you both in mind for when i finally commit myself to this infamous task
Maybe i could borrow a camera and do a directors cut whilst you both do the job.................

PS I still haven't got around to sorting out my CD Changer yet

Nor me. Mine is still sat on top the wardrobe waiting to be sent to Jim

Managed to get the seats swapped in the TD today and all wires/plugs succesfully reconected with no sign of the airbag light staying on

Sadly the same cannot be said for the VSX
The airbag light has been staying on for a while and i thought it was just going to be a dodgy connection/loose plug how wrong could i have been

Having done the TD swap first and useing the old plug/connections from the old seats to keep the wiring neat i found the reason the VSX was displaying its airbag light
The lead from the pretensioner runs in a channel above the seat guide channels before coming out and across the underside of the seat.Unfortunately for me the lead had come out of its channel and been caught when the seat was moved forward/backward and shredded the wires from the plug that sits on the tensioner .
Now to make matters worse if i hadnt tried to be so neat with the TD wiring i would have had a couple of spares but i cut the plugs off them and ended up with this

Also tried to fit the Citroen mudflaps but rain and lack of fixing bolts/brackets as in the pic meant it was tools down and off for some lunch
Have posted in the for sale section my request for help

Colin[/quote]

[CitroJim]

Can you not repair the damaged cable Colin, or has it gone too far to be redeemed?

Good work on the seat swapping Never my favorite job I must admit but the dividends are well worth it!

I've two CD changers here awaiting attention. Those are a winter project. I'll see how I get on with those and then yours if I can enjoy some success with those I have

[admiral51]

Hi Jim
Yes i could technically repair the cable with one i took off the TD but i want to keep the plugs on them so it all looks right
The damaged cable has left me with no plug on either end and its ripped the wires out of the plug that sits under the seat so im just being a bit picky really in how i want it to look

As for the CD Changer dont worry id forgot all about it until Kev jogged my memory

Colin

[admiral51]

Way over a month without an update

Have been really busy at work these last few weeks
Managed to somehow get re employed with my previous employer on somewhat more stable terms and conditions and i didnt end up out of pocket whilst in between jobs

No further progress has been made with either of the Xantias as both have been behaving quite well................mm that statement is going to haunt me i just know it

I have managed to get all the usual service items in stock (oil/filters/LHM etc) as i have set aside a few days over the christmas break for tinkering
I have aquired my air bag wire and a couple of mudflap fixings so that should be done and dusted as well

I think i may have also found a very reliable and competent workshop that is going to run a lexia over both of the Xantias Cant divulge more yet but i think it could prove to be very price competetive
Made no progress atall on the CD player apart from taking it apart and removing the trapped CDs but i will plug it in and see what goes bang
I still have the ABS light on in the VSX but i hope to pinpoint that with a Lexia session.
Have just had to go and pull the alarm fuse on the VSX as its going bonkers and SWMBO says it wasnt even locked let alone alarmed me and my big mouth
Oh well looks like Christmas is going to be an electronic minefield for me

Probably wont update till i finally fix something so Merry Christmas to one and all

Colin

[admiral51]

Had a productive day of sorts today on the VSX

Finally got round to checking the abs problem and found that o/s/r sensor is showing open circuit and n/s/r is showing 1040 whilst both fronts are showing 1054.Not delved further into this as other electrical issues needed my attention
Removed the drivers seat and replaced the air bag wire and cable tied it firmly out of harms way.Had the dash apart and replaced all the bulbs (there is more there than you think ) and have replaced the abs bulb with a dud as i know it will all have to come out when i do the heater matrix (not just yet..still working up to that job )
Found the fault with the alarm or at least i hope so
I found the n/s pillar light was coming on at random and have now swapped this from one out of my spares shed and touch wood it is now behaving itself.
Replaced the drivers mirror glass as this was not heating up although i had poiwer at the pins and this would also appear to be working.
Thinking of putting led into the heater panel as the price for the bulbs from the main dealers are a tad high from memory so its off to maplins tomorrow to work out cost effectivness
Found i had no power for the cig lighter and this proved to be all 3 wires having been cut so again maplins for some fixings etc.
plugged the CD Changer in and still nothing so it looks like i may end up getting a non standard equipment cd player as SWMBO is now getting annoyed she cant play her CDs.I did say we could swap cars as the TD has a CD player but she started to shout Scottish expletives at me and i ran for cover

Hope to have the mudflaps fitted within the next few days and then i can wash it and take some pics as then it will nearly be sorted

Happy Christmas and New Year to one and all

Colin

[CitroJim]

Good stuff Colin That has been a productive day!

Well done on doing the instrument panel bulbs. Over 20 at the last count!

The heater bulbs. I don't think you'll find LEDs will work very well. I recall Xac trying to use an LEDs and the results were not brilliant. Excuse the pun

The problem is that the heater bulbs are special and I ended up buying some from an on-line bulb merchant. They were not dear and arrived next day. These are the ones you need here and at £1.10 each, not bad at all.

One day I'll get to look at the two duff CD heads I have here and then perhaps we can look at yours Colin. Trouble is, that project is a long wasy down a very long list at present

[admiral51]

Had a good day today
My heater panel bulbs arrived in the post and now i can safley say the old VSX now has a full set of working bulbs
Well all apart from one the abs bulb but thats deliberate for the time being

Dash all back together and drivers seat back in and the airbag light goes off like it should
Fitted the mudflaps with a few non OE fixings and they appear to be staying in place 8)
Managed to give her a good wash and polish (no not SWMBO ) but still need to give the interior a bit of TLC.
Apologies for the quality of the pics done on a very old mobile but will dig the camera out over the next few days and take some proper ones













Colin