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

[CitroJim]

Despite still not being good and following a lovely visit from my girls for Father's Day the urge to do a bit of spannering became overwhelming.

This is the result:



Yep, a dismantled Harrison Aircon compressor clutch to get at the idler bearing

The job started with a bit of lathe work to make the puller tool seen in the foreground from absolute scratch. It's not pretty but it did the job. By golly the front plate was marvellously tight on the shaft The thread is an odd one. It's not M20 or M21 but something in between.

The main part of the pulley was a relatively easy pull using a three-legged puller but the bearing extraction itself needed the press and an old Xantia front wheel bearing as a mandrel...

Not a bad afternoon's work... I'm happy but now completely exhausted

[Xaccers]

Brilliant news Jim! You don't fancy doing Cassy's tonight then? tee-hee

[CitroJim]

You don't fancy doing Cassy's tonight then?

Oh gawd no Sorry Just doing what I did today has made me feel very rough and groggy I really did it as a bit of a test/challenge so that if necessary I could give the doctor some idea of what it takes to completely and utterly floor me and to see for myself just what the score is. I now know and it's not much

I fear Cassy may have to await a bit more recovery on my part Still, you won't need the aircon until August anyway so there's no rush

In the meantime get some Plus Gas working around the shaft and front nut

[andmcit]

So why does the compressor need dismembering then as I believe
I've got one of these in one piece spare!?

[Xaccers]

Definitely need you back in tip top shape Jim
Should I mention I think Jenny's is squeaking a bit?

I'm still debating whether I should brave the wind and have a go at Jenny's welded on oil filter with the strap wrench you've lent me.


Andrew, the bearing goes and needs replacing.
Failure to do that results in flames as Teh_Agent once found out!
Cassy's running with a very short belt to exclude the compressor.

[CitroJim]

So why does the compressor need dismembering then as I believe
I've got one of these in one piece spare!?

To replace the pulley bearing Andrew, it's worn and rumbly. As Xac says, they can seize and break up with terrible consequences and we've both seen it happen. The bearing is the one in the picture right next to the compressor itself...

The Harrison compressor in the picture is the ultra-rare one fitted to some 1.9TDs with big hex unions for the pipe connections rather than the more normal plate flange...

Xac has been trying to source a spare now for longer than we've had a Tory Government...

I'm still debating whether I should brave the wind and have a go at Jenny's welded on oil filter with the strap wrench you've lent me.

It's not windy here... Go on, If that webbing strap wrench does not do the trick than whatever you do, don't stab the filter with a screwdriver. You'll end up in a whole world of pain and blood...

If Jenny's is a bit squeky too we can do hers as well. Think of it as a buy one get one free...

Just give me a chance to recover though....

[andmcit]

To replace the pulley bearing Andrew, it's worn and rumbly. As Xac says, they can seize and break up with terrible consequences and we've both seen it happen. The bearing is the one in the picture right next to the compressor itself...

The Harrison compressor in the picture is the ultra-rare one fitted to some 1.9TDs with big hex unions for the pipe connections rather than the more normal plate flange...

Xac has been trying to source a spare now for longer than we've had a Tory Government...

Well look no further, I've broken an R plate AC estate with one but if you big up how 'rare' it is I'll
feel forced to bung it on eBay for a fortune!! lol

[addo]

It is folly not to replace the front seal while all this is off.

[Northern_Mike]

I'm still debating whether I should brave the wind and have a go at Jenny's welded on oil filter with the strap wrench you've lent me.

I bought a pair of oil filter pliers for a fiver from ebay a while ago, similar to item number 221044388311. I haven't failed to shift a filter with them yet. You can just about get them round a sphere that's too loose to need the tool, but too tight to turn by hand too..

[Northern_Mike]

[

I'm still debating whether I should brave the wind and have a go at Jenny's welded on oil filter with the strap wrench you've lent me.

It's not windy here... Go on, If that webbing strap wrench does not do the trick than whatever you do, don't stab the filter with a screwdriver. You'll end up in a whole world of pain and blood...

I must say, all the time I did that, I never once hurt myself or the car. Just use a long enough screwdriver and a big enough hammer ..

[davetherave]

I need to replace the bearing on the compressor on the Xm, as usual Jim you make it look easy!
Hope you feel better soon, you definatly need a holiday somewhere hot, it is amazing the difference it can make!

[CitroJim]

I need to replace the bearing on the compressor on the Xm, as usual Jim you make it look easy!

It might look easy Dave but it's not That front plate is awful tight and a press is obligatory for removing the bearing from the pulley and you have to be careful not to damage it.

The above only applies to a Harrison as far as I know, the other flavour I believe has a different arrangement...

Been to work today and survived although well and truly exhausted now...

It is folly not to replace the front seal while all this is off.

I can't immediately see one Adam. Where is it?

[xantia_v6]

It is folly not to replace the front seal while all this is off.

I can't immediately see one Adam. Where is it?

I am not familiar with that model of Harrison, but traditionally, it is a carbon/ceramic seal behind a circlip on the front plate.

The Harrison A6 on my e-type has a slight leak at the shaft seal, I wonder if your puller would fit that?

[vince]

Off to see the medical profession on Tuesday to see if they can offer any clue to what's going on. Shame they can't plug a Lexia into me

Hope they figure it out Jim and get you back in good health again .....the above statement made me smile....with your knowledge and abilities on Citroens Jim it wouldnt be unfeasable that you are in fact a missing link in Citroen's design and development portfolio...perhaps a one off that never made it into mass production Are you sure you havent got a hidden Lexia port somewhere? As said before.....your a very talented bloke

Seriously though...get better Jim

[CitroJim]

Seriously though...get better Jim

Thanks Vince Looks like they've nailed down the problem

Nothing too serious but potentially requiring some 'lifestyle adjustments' to mitigate

I'm awaiting the results of a human sort of Lexia diagnostic test after a visit to the vampires