Life on the edge - the Diary of a C5

[CitroJim]

Pretty sure on the HDi engined Xantia there's a plastic coolant elbow in that area that's prone to cracking after a certain age... certainly possible it was carried over to the C5.

Yes, that would have been carried over from the HDi's ancestor - the XUD... There's also an O Ring under the elbow that can go hard and leak too...

[Xantianut]

Is the elbow the one for the heater matrix? Of so, that's dry. Well, a bit oily but otherwise dry.

There is a big hose with many branches off the back of it that Papa will be watching for leaks with my powerful engine running lying on his back with me on ramps, shining a torch into my important little places......

[harryp]

Hmmmm, That would make many a maiden blush!

[CitroJim]

Hmmmm, That would make many a maiden blush!

And me!

[Xantianut]

Hello, friends!

Papa has halved the leak anyway. After probing my nether regions with a torch that looks like a light sabre, he has found two sources.

The bolt that holds the big hose at the back of my powerful engine had worked slightly loose so he wriggled a spanner in there (13mm the beast!!!) and nipped it up. It was about 3/4 turn loose.

The other source is strange. Papa says it is from the side of the water pump rather than the shaft so gasket? He's going to try a sealant before delving into my timing case to change my timing belt and water pump. At which point I think my stylish battleship grey paint may become electric blue.............

Love

Otterchops

[Xantianut]

Hello,friends!

Today is the third anniversary of my adoption. I remember that tired, achy looking man appearing at the garage where I was for sale and thinking, he looks nice. He looked me over, pronounced me as great for the money and money changed hands. And there I was, with a proper Papa after years of bodgers!!!!

Papa has bathed me to celebrate.

And no hammer in sight!!!

Love

Otterchops

[Hell Razor5543]

Happy 'Birthday', Otterchops.

[CitroJim]

Happy 'Birthday', Otterchops.

Same here Pleased he's hid the hammer for your special day

[Xantianut]

Hello, Friends!

I do like suprising Paps. Y9u'd think he'd know pretty much all there is to know about me, wouldn't you? However, as he came out of Sainbury's, he let out an anguished howl. We have 2-3cm of snow here. So Papa went out onto the open area of the car park and tried to make me slide. Touch of understeer then a touch of over as my grippy tyres combned with my sophisticated suspension meant that the old fool was cornering safely at a speed where, in previous Fifis, he would have been going straight on instead of hard right.

He was much more confident on the trip home.....

Love

Otterchops

[Xantianut]

Hello, Friends.

I've been quiet because Papa always put to me to bed over Christmas. He says there are too many drunks on the road and does not want to dent me. He's a good old brick sometimes, isn't he?

Between the yawning and stretching, Papa has noticed my powerful brakes are grabbing, particularly when cold. Just as well he has some new pads and discs to fit then, isn't it? Once it warms up a bit, of course. Don't want the old fool doing himself a mischief in the cold, do we?

Love

Otterchops.

[Hell Razor5543]

Otterchops, please get Papa to check your rear brakes. The strange corrosion issue that (on Xantias) pushes the rear callipers off line carried across into the C5 series (but I do not know how far up the range). I know this as Bluebird is showing the symptoms (although she is having a Citroen specialist work on them and her clutch).

[Xantianut]

He shall, Uncle James.

My front discs are thin though....

[Xantianut]

Hello, Friends!

Well, I had Papa saying "Oh, dear, this is tiresome." Or something similar!

On the final leg home yesterday my speedo stopped working. So Papa had a look online and found the problem which meant removing my stylish instrument pack. This brought more gros mots from him because he thought he needed to remove my whole dashboard! Then he discovered what those little dots at the bottom of the glass are for! Heheheheh! Nice to surprise him! Then he insulted me by saying that this must be one of the bits designed by a German!!!!

IPad directed him to a useful video on how to rebuild the motor. He said that looked beyond him but discovered where to buy a whole new motor. This is on its way so I should be out and about again soon.

Meanwhile I have a ragged hole in my dash where my instruments should be. And he said that must a French bit!!! What are we going to do with him?

At least no hammer was threatened!

Love

Otterchops

[Hell Razor5543]

Otterchops, while it is tiresome, you have a Papa who actually cares enough to find out not only what is going wrong, but what is involved in fixing it. Saying that, you could always wait until he is wearing steel toecap shoes, and then gently rest one of your nice, wide tyres on them!

[Xantianut]

Unca James, if he's wearing steel toe cap boots, where's the fun in that? He can hit notes Opera Sopranos can only dream of when I park my wheel on his foot!!!