Dean's Activa/XM/V6 and now Talbot blog

[xmexclusive]

Hi Dean

Would it not be worth using a later a/c rad (£70 new) and make up converter pipes. I can find some R134A pipes and a scrap rad if you want to try this.

John

[Deanxm]

It may end up that Way John, the only issue i have is i think i would have to change the pump aswell because the pipes are different sizes between the two systems so i would assume the pump ports would differ also.

D

[xmexclusive]

Hi Dean

The R12 rad/condenser has short stub connections sticking out of each side
I assumed that you would mod the R134A pipes to replicate these stub connections.

John

[xantia_v6]

There is a fair range of adapters and fittings available. When I converted my E-type A/C to RHD and R12 I was lucky enough to find someone who had recently bought a hose crimping tool and was keen to try making some custom hoses. The car has a mixture of R12 imperial and R134 metric fittings, but it all worked well in the end (still using the 38 year old compressor, evaporator and condenser!).

[Deanxm]

your both probably right, time for some customisation i will give the old condenser a test first though, if its just pinholed it will chill again.

Last night i treated myself to a nice new inverter welder as ive not owned my own one small enough to weld rusty old cars, my other stick welder only goes to 60A which is just too big, hopefully it will be here by wednesday and i can start some light fabrication on the XM

Although this weekend was supposed to be Activa clutch weekend i didnt finish work until late yesterday and working right by the beach all day has made me shelve any car plans, im off to enjoy what could be our last summers day in a minute, im just going to finish washing the cars and go, its been too long since we have been out for the day and the activa clutch seems to have semi healed itself after a week of being unused

D

[Deanxm]

Well my brand new Valeo R12 condenser arrived Friday, i got it for £120 in the end, i have just ordered a new cat today too, been out and unwrapped the car to give it a good airing out.

Got to work first off by fitting the new handbrake cables and reapairing the ecu box, i broke the locating pin off the back of mine a while ago and its always rubbed against the pump pulley so a little welding and the sacrifice of a headlamp adjuster was called for.

CIMG3513 by Deanxm, on Flickr

Next up it was time to clean the infected area ready to fabricate a patch, to begin with it looked like the rust could have spread to many diferent panels as there are 6 different plates that all meet in this area, thankfully this was not the case,

CIMG3514 by Deanxm, on Flickr

Here is the hole that caused all the trouble, glad its no longer attached to my pride and joy

CIMG3517 by Deanxm, on Flickr
XM with stage 3 weight reduction

CIMG3519 by Deanxm, on Flickr

CIMG3518 by Deanxm, on Flickr
With a bit of luck i should get the new patch shaped up this week ready to weld before the weekend, I want all the cavity waxing and underseal done in mild temperatures and dry weather.

D

[myglaren]

...I want all the cavity waxing and underseal done in mild temperatures and dry weather.

D

Better ship it down to Addo, you won't get much of that in this hemisphere for a good while.

[CitroJim]

Great stuff Dean Good to see work continuing on the XM

Better ship it down to Addo, you won't get much of that in this hemisphere for a good while.

Ahh but remmember us southerners enjoy a different climate to you up norf Steve..

Especially on the IOW. Look at any picture postcard from the island and the sun is always shining...

[Deanxm]

Its true, even at night.
We have palm trees, golden beaches and wild lizards too, practicaly the south of france

Unboxed my condenser this morning, oooh its a work of art , shame to hide it behind the bumper.

D

[Deanxm]

This is the cause of the rust, a fuel tank breather hose, well its clip actualy, and in a rather stupid place so if you own a petrol xm it may be time to check this weak spot.

CIMG3533 by Deanxm, on Flickr

And here is the new condenser in place

CIMG3531 by Deanxm, on Flickr

D

[CitroJim]

That's a very cool looking condenser Dean

Too good to be hidden!!!

That's odd one that rust. I guess where the pipe clip went through it scraped the panel to a bit of bare metal, acted as a little mud trap and time did the rest...

[Deanxm]

I was going to paint it but when i opened the box to see it had been done already i was most pleased, lets just hope the cat ive ordered is just as well made.

D

[Deanxm]

Final part arrived today, got its first coat of stove paint on it after work too, not sure why but i did.

CIMG3536 by Deanxm, on Flickr

D

[Deanxm]

If you have not already learnt this lesson, never get a car for a family member, it keeps coming back every time something wants doing if you do, looks like im busy this week


CIMG3543 by Deanxm, on Flickr

CIMG3544 by Deanxm, on Flickr

D

[Citroenmad]

OOOh, good luck fixing that wheel!

Its a bit of a nasty dink, has the radiator been damaged? At least there are loads of R25s around do you shouldn't have a prblem getting the used bits to fix it up.