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

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 02 Apr 2011, 15:13

I imagine it is great fun in an Activa. I've only ever been up and down it in the Coupé (with its worn shocks) or in the works van (which was trying to hang out every corner)

Now mine is back on the road I must take mine up there at some point. Few bits to look at first though.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 02 Apr 2011, 20:59

Toby_HDi wrote:I imagine it is great fun in an Activa. I've only ever been up and down it in the Coupé (with its worn shocks) or in the works van (which was trying to hang out every corner)

Now mine is back on the road I must take mine up there at some point. Few bits to look at first though.

Give us a shout if you intend to do some Zomerset site seeing, this zig zag hill sounds interesting!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 05 Apr 2011, 20:31

red_dwarfers wrote:this zig zag hill sounds interesting!

It is

This is a little Youtube video of it and frankly it does not do it justice. It's a series of 5 hairpins on a 16% hill and the road is narrow... Much narrower than Porlock hill and much tighter.

here's a good still photo of one of the bends...

The view at the top is incredible. The road runs along the top of an escarpment and has an almost sheer drop on one side. It's very scenic...

To really enjoy it you need to know there is nothing coming the other way although on a Sunday afternoon that's not the case. It's a popular spot!!!

Dorset council make it hard to find, on purpose no doubt. If yu want to experience it, leave Shaftesbury on the A30 toward Salisbury and then turn off on the B3081 signposted to Tollard Royal. Note that from the A30 or anywhere in Shaftesbury the signs make no mention of the B3081 at all. As I say, I'm sure they're trying to hide it!!!

My Activa performed magically on the whole trip and another small highlight was the long sweeping curve on the slip road between the M25 Clockwise and the M40 London-Bound. That curve is great fun in an Activa!!!

Following all the work I am now really loving my Activa again and I'm sure this year it'll do many more miles than it did last!!!

I've become the happy owner of Citroen ELIT diagnostic tester

It was missing a vital cable but was otherwise in working order. I made up a new lead yesterday and I'm absolutely delighted with it. The ELIT is the predecessor of the Lexia and is almost hand-held and self-powered from the diagnostic socket. It boots instantly too so checks can be carried out very quickly. Although nowhere near as powerful and versatile as a proper Lexia, it's perfect for quick checks and resetting faults. Ideal for clearing Hydractive ECU faults as these do pop intermittent faults very frequently and clearing them does make a difference, especially on the Activa. The ELIT and Lexia complement each other a treat...

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 05 Apr 2011, 21:28

CitroJim wrote: The view at the top is incredible. The road runs along the top of an escarpment and has an almost sheer drop on one side. It's very scenic...

Stunning views. Last time I was that way I was picking something up from our Gillingham branch.

Came up Zig-Zag hill trying to keep a practically empty van in check and then once I got to the top and up the road something caught my eye.

From down one of the valleys, up pops a helicopter! It flies down the valley alongside me all the time at a lower altitude than me and then pops up and disappears.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Apr 2011, 21:07

Not much done this week car-wise. All are running very well I'm pleased to say

I've not been on here much either as this past week at work has been so intense that I've been returning home brain-dead and after a long day staring at PC screens the last thing I want is to look at another

It's taken me until this evening to even look at mine this weekend...

Basically, never worry if I seem a bit inactive on here or take a while to respond to PMs and emails. Sometimes the PC sits like a monster in the corner and I have absolutely no desire to go near it... That's how bad it is when a day of heavy IT turns your brain to mush... I hate IT with a true passion but it earns me money so I tolerate it... I'm glad I don't do anything with cars professionally as I'm sure I'd not want to play with them at weekends. I guess if I was a car professional I'd play computers at weekends

Mostly this weekend I've been beating the garden into submission

I'm no gardener but I can't enjoy sitting in it if it screams at me to do some maintenance in it. I bet few people have to dig and weed around a Xantia rear subframe though. I have to

Whilst doing that, a fellow V6 owner called by to replace the aircon condenser, pressure regulator and crank pulley on his. I was interested to note that it's likely my Old V6 will soon loose it's crown of highest mileage V6.. Mine is on nearly 176,000 and his is rapidly catching up at 173,000!!!

During the pressure regulator replacement (because it was leaking) it was necessary to use my old V6 as a reassembly reference and in pulling off the airbox I noted my rubber concertina between the airbox and throttle body was split. Luckily I had another in stock..

This afternoon I took the Activa out for a very pleasant spin.

Next week I shall be checking over New V6 ready for an MOT, it expires in three weeks. Then at the end of May Old V6 will be due an MOT.

At the end of this month the Activa needs new tax and I'm surprised not to have received the reminder yet.

On the Activa the rear ram seems to have stopped weeping completely now despite lots of use recently...

citroenxm · Unread post by **citroenxm** » 10 Apr 2011, 21:10

CitroJim wrote: I'm glad I don't do anything with cars professionally as I'm sure I'd not want to play with them at weekends. I guess if I was a car professional I'd play computers at weekends

I KNOW exactly what you mean Jim.. Ive had this when I took a few days off work to do cars for 3 days solid.. I didn;t want t know there after for a while!!

Paul

pug_owner2002 · Unread post by **pug_owner2002** » 10 Apr 2011, 21:48

CitroJim wrote:
At the end of this month the Activa needs new tax and I'm surprised not to have received the reminder yet.

My car tax is due to expire at the end of the month too, and I've not yet received a reminder either.

I'm sure it'll be here soon.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Apr 2011, 17:02

pug_owner2002 wrote: My car tax is due to expire at the end of the month too, and I've not yet received a reminder either.
I'm sure it'll be here soon.

It arrived on the 14th. the deed is now done.. The DVLA are now £215 richer

It's been a vey busy and enjoyable day today. It started with a visit from a pal with a Nissan Pulsar with seized bolts in his brake calipers. A LOT of heat and a reverse-flute socket soon sorted that.

I then checked New V6 over for her MOT and found one tyre a bit marginal. I had a new pair in stock and had them fitted by the place at the end of the road. The came back with the right pressures in them. there's a first!!!

The afternoon turned into a mini-meet with Paul (CitroenXM) and fiancée, DickieG and Xac in attendance...

This was the scene outside my house:

(My neighbours were out

)

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 16 Apr 2011, 17:36

It was great to see Paul and Richard again and meet Sarah.
Cassy does look good with the alloys on, but there's a slight vibration around 70mph with the old tyres on the front which may be down to them having about 2mm of tread left, so they'll be renewed next month.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:22

The afternoon turned into a mini-meet with Paul (CitroenXM) and fiancée, DickieG and Xac in attendance...

Good thing you were on top of the punctuation there Jim, could of had folk talking

Looks like it was a good day, nice weather too

D

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:30

That is quite a turn out you had Jim

No room for 'Old V6' in the picture?

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 16 Apr 2011, 18:57

Deanxm wrote:
Good thing you were on top of the punctuation there Jim, could of had folk talking

No doubt its built into the forum word filtering like Citroen

*Waves back* I expect the neighbours are getting used to these mini meets now!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Apr 2011, 19:07

Citroenmad wrote: No room for 'Old V6' in the picture?

Sadly it spent the entire time sandwiched between two Vauxhall Corsas where New V6 normally resides...

Besides, the close was full

Luckily Kev, I have absolutely fantastic neighbours who are benevolently tolerant such activities... I thank my lucky stars they are...

They have me at the top of the close and down the bottom is a biker and Mini enthusiast... last week he broke a mini on his driveway and one of his bikes is seriously noisy...

The other day one of my neighbours was complaining about him. To me of all people

Our road in general is a haven of automotive enthusiasm, as it should be, being just a swallow's flight away from the Aston Martin works. Just up the road from me is an immaculate RS500 and just a bit further on a pristine Model T... One of our number actually owns an Aston...

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 17 Apr 2011, 09:09

CitroJim wrote:Just up the road from me is an immaculate RS500 and just a bit further on a pristine Model T... One of our number actually owns an Aston...

Yesterday I spotted (and heard) a Cobra replica burbling past the end of your road Jim, a red one with white stripes.

Yes a good day and natter was had, I arrived a little later than planned as Dawn wanted dropping off in Milton Keynes to do some shopping with Danielle and a friend however they had been out the previous evening on Dawns hen night so they were still suffering, much like the O/S/R door of my estate after the friend puked down it

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Apr 2011, 17:51

DickieG wrote:Yesterday I spotted (and heard) a Cobra replica burbling past the end of your road Jim, a red one with white stripes.

Ahh! So that's waht it is then! I've heard it may times but never been able to get a sighting of it

I trust dawn is recovered. I guess the bit of retail therapy helped

Been to the CCC east Midlands Group meet in Stamford today as reported elseware...

Delighted to get this shot of my Activa... Taken on my phone!!!

I'm the world's most useless photographer but I'm rather pleased with that one...