All Things V6...

[DHallworth]

All done and dusted.

XM and Activa arrived without any problems. Really need to replace the idle control valve on the Activa though as it really is annoying. Other then that all went well with no hiccups.

Was great to catch up with Steve as well.

Will put a few pictures up later.

David.

[CitroJim]

Try 'exercising' the idle control valve using the Lexia Actuator Tests David...

It worked for mine. I know different engines but the ICVs are similar...

[DHallworth]

Will give that a try Jim.

Problem I've got at the moment, my Activa at some point has had a replacement CPH fitted to it. The key code that Citroen have on file won't work, nor will the one in the handbook pack so I can't get the Lexia to communicate with the engine ECU as I can't pair it to the car at the moment.

Anybody got a CPH with KNOWN key code that they want to sell?

David.

[Mandrake]

What's up with the idle control valve David ?

Hope the spell of rain this afternoon didn't spoil things too much.

Edit: maybe northern mike still has the ECU's he got from you ?

[Mandrake]

David's engine ECU is unlocked - its a direct from Bosch unit that I found way back when I was looking for another ECU for mine, but as its the manual version it was no use for my Auto so I sent David the details...

I think hattershaun also bought one of the same units and was successful in pairing it with his CPH, so the problem seems to be David's CPH is not the original and thus has an unknown confidential code to allow programming.

In the meantime the engine ECU operates in an unlocked mode with no immobiliser function. Any S2 Xantia CPH with a known key programming code should do the trick and allow the ECU's to be paired, thus enabling the immobiliser function.

[Trainman]

Was great to catch up with Steve as well.

Will put a few pictures up later.

David.

A most enjoyable day, and I got treated to the full "Hallworth Experience" collected in the 407 V6 Coupe, V6 Activa to the show, V6 XM back and the returned to the station in the Rangey.

I've never had the popularity to drive an Activa before, and it's a long time since I drove a manual Citroen, it's more responsive that mine and very easy to drive as well, the XM was a joy, the only thing for me was keep bumping my head on the sunroof because the headliner is low, but that's because I'm a lanky sod and nothing else.

Thanks to Bill too for his offer of accommodation for overnight but decided to come back slightly earlier than planned due to the change in weather.

[BW]

A couple of photos of the cars today, sorry if they turn out a bit big, I'm not expert with photobucket!
Glad you enjoyed the day Steve, we too experienced the Rangy later.

[Citroenmad]

A most enjoyable day, and I got treated to the full "Hallworth Experience" collected in the 407 V6 Coupe, V6 Activa to the show, V6 XM back and the returned to the station in the Rangey.

That does sound like a good day Steve!

[Skull]

DHallworth Just read the whole blog

A great blog of all things V6

ECU seems to be the biggest problem you encountered - glad to see that the engine wasn't in the back of the RR that burnt out.

I've had a change of heart reading that and am now on the lookout for an Activa Estate with a Supercharged RR engine

[DHallworth]

Thanks Skull! I'm amazed that you've taken time to read all 50 something pages of it!!

Days like yesterday where I actually got a chance to drive everything back to back are like a dream come true! However... the one I enjoyed driving the most doesn't have green blood I'm afraid. Second contender yesterday was the XM and the Activa came third due to a stupid hesitation that it had developed.

However, today I've spent a bit of time fettling with the Activa. When it was cold it had a very slight miss, so little that a friend of mine thought it was fine. It felt like it had next to no low down torque either which made things like reversing slowly nigh on impossible without giving it throttle and slipping the clutch which I hate doing. Yesterday on the way home from Erskine I let Steve drive the XM and I drove the Activa home. It had a massive flat spot at 2000rpm, if you accelerated it would pass it with a jerk but it really wasn't very nice. I took it out again last night and it was doing the same thing.

This afternoon I swapped the MAP sensor from the XM onto the Activa and took it for a run. It has totally transformed the car. No flat spot, no hesitation, no miss when cold and it now feels like it's got the low down torque for pulling away in 1st gear and when reversing on the driveway.

I also stripped down the brakes on the 407 Coupe today as I'd felt them start sticking over the weekend. Unfortunately it looks like I was to late feeling them stick as there's no much left on the pads. There was a massive build up of brake dust on the spring clips that hold the pads in place which was stopping them dropping off. I've cleaned the calipers and the spring clips up and have done a trial fit and they're moving perfectly now. There's no point putting them back as they are though so I'm off to buy pads for it tomorrow. The discs feel fine, there's no lip on them, no discolouration and they aren't warped so I'm not going to change them I don't think.

There's no chance the local dealer will have a MAP sensor in stock but am hoping they might just possibly have the pads for the 407 so I can at least get that finished and off the ramp

David.

[CitroJim]

Delighted you've found the cause David. I was fearing another Mandrake'esque blog was going to spring forth for a minute there

Has the 407 got Brembo callipers like the 406 Coupé?

[Skull]

DHallworth

I read it all but didn't understand much of the 'electrickery' stuff

[DHallworth]

Jim,

The 407 Coupe doesn't have Brembo brakes. These are just standard twin piston calipers, a real shame as compared to the 406 Coupe, the brakes on the 407 are sh!te!

Skull, it took me ages of studying wiring diagrams to be able to piece together an understanding of French wiring!

David.

[KP]

A brembo upgrade is cheap enough David and I even have the correct size bolts and stickers should you decide to buy a used set and refurb them as brakesint do the refurb kit cheap enough

[CitroJim]

A brembo upgrade is cheap enough David and I even have the correct size bolts and stickers should you decide to buy a used set and refurb them as brakesint do the refurb kit cheap enough

That has to be worth a thought