Xantiaman's Blog

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 09 Nov 2009, 10:34

Another pass

No advisories, just a verbal note that the front brake hoses are starting to show signs of perishing, which will be sorted when i do the discs and pads.

Emissions for reference again, fast idle co % 0.037, HC 1ppm

, natural idle co % was 0.013.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 09 Nov 2009, 17:39

Tyres are now sorted aswell 8)

I took a trip to an independent garage in Bexleyheath, who quoted me £59 FITTED ALL INCLUSIVE for a Goodyear Hydragrip, V rated though. Significantly better than anywhere else i have seen, often around £75 each fitted, so i snapped them up. I have Goodyear NCT5's on the rear, and the sidewalls dont look too dissimilar.

http://www.etyres.co.uk/news/goodyear-h ... p-315.html

One downside, they managed to bugger up the front locking nuts, so i've had to fit 2 new standard bolts. They are unlikely to go walkies and i dont have to worry about their removal in the future. Both in stock at Crayford Motors Citroen. I picked up some LHM from there too, £4.50 + Vat

Tyres performing well, and very happy for the price. The previous Falkens cost me as much once i got fitting and balancing added into the equation. It pays to shop around!

CitroJim · Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Nov 2009, 18:18

Brilliant on both MOT and tyres Gareth

Well done!

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 09 Nov 2009, 18:51

Awesome pics

KP · Unread post by KP » 09 Nov 2009, 19:41

Goodwork fella

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 09 Nov 2009, 20:19

Great stuff Gareth. Isn't it a great feeling?

XantiaMan583 wrote:No advisories, just a verbal note that the front brake hoses are starting to show signs of perishing, which will be sorted when i do the discs and pads.

Hopefully these hoses will turn out to be the handbrake cables!

James

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 09 Nov 2009, 21:24

Yes its great, especially after all the work been carried out recently, its the icing on the cake.

Its defiantly the front hoses, as i looked myself. I dont use the car much, so its not urgent. I have done over 800 miles in two weeks though

All this driving does show up the odd niggle. Its thrown a fault code up a couple of times, and its due to the extra gain added on the boost controller. The boost builds so well, that on part throttle it was as quick as full throttle

, the ecu was not liking this, so the gain has been halved and duty increased slightly, no codes so far, and the torque is much improved.

I took the MOT tester out in it afterwards, as he is a bit of a petrol head. He has a Clio 182 which is no slouch, and declared it 'quick', so thats good enough for me! His reaction was priceless when i chucked it into a corner expecting it to roll like a tank, instead it just tightened up and kept nice a poised

CitroJim · Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Nov 2009, 22:25

Wow, an impressed MOT tester and if he hinks is good compared to a Clio 182 then it must really be something. It's great when a Xantia shows just what it can do. Bet it's changed his opinion of them

Speaking of cats, you think yours is bad Gareth. How about mine then? Fluffball wanders in the kitchen every time I go in there and begs for food. She associated kitchens with food and cries at me every time. I did some egg mayo rolls for lunch and she just would not shut up. I relented and gave her some and guess what? She turned up her nose at it

Shut her up though!!!

She can smell a tin of Tuna being opened at a thousand paces

And Ollie, he loves my computer chair and is a devil's own job to shift from it. At least he never begs for food.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 10 Nov 2009, 23:10

A small update this evening.

Last night, i got a visit from next door about 9pm, saying he didnt want the Xantia TD any more, having made his mind up on a Volvo 850 gas guzzler on offer from his brother. He was also put off with the mileage (typical punter) so basically put me into a situation, as Mike was coming down this morning and had already booked his train to return back up north.

So, rather than cause an inconvience with Mike, i've decided at very short notice, to take '583 back into my ownership for the timing being. It has everything going for it, still in good shape, Mike did an excellent job of looking after her.

I wasted no time at all, and put in some sunflower oil as a special treat.

Now i can see the economics of having a diesel family car capable of running on veg oil (79ppl from Bookers) or even cheaper, on filtered WVO at around 40ppl. 40+mpg betters the Activa by a significant margin and even the Transit, which does quite well around 34-35mpg. No idea what the price of crude oil is doing, but want to keep my options open.

Its possible my Dad may take it on, and we share it as a family pool car. Or, i could convince Vicky to use it and have her driving lessons in it, then use it as her runaround, even though it is quite a 'big' car.

The latter will take a while. My driveway is long enough for all the cars and van, so for now its not a huge deal.

But it is very nice to get back behind the wheel of an XUD9 engined car. I forgot how smooth it was for an old school lump. It looks and drives no different to 6 months ago.

Although not a patch on the Activa when it comes to performance, handling and sophistication, it wins hands down with its simplicity and relaxed nature. I might even tackle an LHM change at some point, having gained a lot more confidence working on Xantia's in recent times.

It does need the clutch arm bush sorting out. I will need to confirm with Jim the technicalities of this, but it will make the clutch much smoother and lighter.

Thanks again to Mike (Superloopy1) for looking after 'my' old car, and bringing it down all the way from Newcastle. You did a great job of keeping it in shape

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 16 Nov 2009, 16:53

Its been nearly a week since my old Xantia, R583 returned to my drive.

The chap next door was very sorry, but that will teach me for jumping in trying to help someone out, sometime people can only help themselves.

So now, on a temporary basis i am the owner of this now legendary car, and the first car i've ever had come back into my ownership, maybe it likes me?

It still drives very well, in fact i can tell no difference at all. Still pulls brisk and smooth, and still looks the part. There are not many left of this age that look as good imho.

The short term plan is to use it here and there, and enjoy the benefits of 84ppl veg oil and that great smell

but sadly, longer term i cannot keep it. I've grown to like the Activa too much, and i like its sophistication and understated character. And the main reason why i sold the car in the first place, was because i dont use a car much these days.

Mike was kind enough to hold onto it for me as long as he could, as his need was only temporary, but i wanted to assure its future, hence why next door was offered this great car.

I will put an advert up on here at some point, in the hope that an enthusiast who wants a reliable, well sorted and excellent example of a late S1 Xantia will snap her up and plans to keep long term. I would hate to see a car like this scrapped, its too good and too useful.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 17 Nov 2009, 19:02

CitroJim · Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Nov 2009, 21:03

I believe "Brought To The Top"

Like a "Bump"

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 17 Nov 2009, 21:23

Yes in case anyone missed it.

CitroJim · Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Nov 2009, 22:38

Have you put it formally for sale in the for sale section Gareth?

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 18 Nov 2009, 08:26

CitroJim wrote:Have you put it formally for sale in the for sale section Gareth?

Yes mate its in there 8)