Bxzx's Blingo Blog

[DHallworth]

They certainly do seem to be very reliable the Berlingo vans! I know a few people with them who are self employed couriers who rate them very highly.

David.

[bxzx16v]

Well it had to happen, the berlingos handbrake cable snapped this morning whilst juggling the cars around on the drive. I've been in touch with my mechanic pal and he's going to get up next week weather permitting. Other than that it's nice to get back in it after a couple of days as the higher up driving position is so comfy.

Mark

[bxzx16v]

All sorted now, what my mate thought would be an easy job turned out to be a little more involving have to almost remove the double passenger seat for access to the cables, it's back to normal service now. Next jobs on the horizon is a service and a replacement of the
timing belt/tensioners and waterpump and everything should be good to go for a while.

Mark

[CitroJim]

On that engine Mark, the cambelt and water pump will be the easier job!

Pleased all is now sorted...

[bxzx16v]

Thanks Jim, my mate said it's a pretty easy job on the blingo, I think that the recommended 150k or 10yrs for the timing belt is too long imo so it's getting done at around 112k and 5 1/5 yrs.

Mark

[RichardW]

Cambelt is pretty straightforward on the 1.6 HDi - hardest bit we found was the aux belt! Not looking forward to the 307 which has a stretchy aux belt....

[bxzx16v]

Having the auxiliary belt done too Richard, I'll post up what it's like to do on the blingo.

Mark

[DHallworth]

I'm with Richard on this one, getting that stretch auxiliary belt back onto the 207 1.6 HDi was the worst part of the whole job. Changing the timing belt itself couldn't of taken more then 2 hours from start to finish! A very easy job

You can get a special tool to fit the belt on eBay for a few quid, if I was doing one again I'd definitely buy that tool first.

David.

[CitroJim]

At least with a stretchy belt you're not going to have all the classic tensioner problems...

Good to know a tool is available for the job...

[RichardW]

The most important thing with the stretch belt is not to turn the engine backwards: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=40166" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fitting tool

Just like that, apparently

[CitroJim]

The most important thing with the stretch belt is not to turn the engine backwards: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=40166" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was incredibly careful of that when doing the 407 Richard and used the starter motor to undo the crank bolt to avoid any potential turning backards undoing that...

[RichardW]

Handily the 1.6 has a hole in the engine back plate where you can insert a pin into the flywheel to jam the crank for - 12mm or something, but I bought a set of timing pins as they were only a few quid and I've got 2 to do. I doubt it's possible to turn the engine over and insert the pin at the same time yourself though!! Having said the crank pulley bolt is not tight at all - bit of anticlimax as it just unscrewed easily. Got to laugh though - recommended that you replace the bolt when doing a belt change, so off I trot to Citroen to get one - only to find that they comes in bags of TWO FFS!!!! Means I've got one for the 307 later in the year though....

[bxzx16v]

After my days polishing session on the 406 which came up a treat the blingo will be getting done when we get a nice day and time to do it. I'll be using the same combination of pads and polish as the results were more than impressive on the pugs 16 year old paintwork.

Mark

[bxzx16v]

No news to report on the blingo other than it will be getting a set of new wheel trims this week as the ones that are on have seen better days. I did think of putting some alloy wheels on it perhaps 17" or 18" alloys but there other jobs to do first on it not to mention a few jobs on the 406.

Mark

[bxzx16v]

A day off work today so off over to near Huddersfield to pick up some cleaning goodies, I was planning on taking the 406 but decided to take the blingo as the weather was a bit damp and miserable. Got to the cleaning place with the odd snow flurry nothing major picked up my goodies and headed home, well all I can say is in the space of 30 minutes or less the roads were absolutely white over, cars slipping and sliding and getting stuck. I was beginning to wish I'd stayed at home but the blingo performed without fault, going past other cars which were really struggling with the road conditions, notable an astra, beetle and a C4. I'm relieved I didn't take the 406 that's for sure. The tyres are Zt5 Axons allround on the blingo and very happy I am with them too. The cleaning goodies will be used in due course on the blingo soon.

Mark