Elmas Xantia V6 and Musical Stuff

[elma]

So I've ordered the Mobil lt71141 from Opie, found a discount code so I'm pleased with the price.
I'm considering a pump to drain the gearbox, not sure weather electric or manual but for the price of them I think it's a must have.
Going to leave the heater hose for next week and keep a little cash in the bank.

Managed to find 2 narrower clips for the leaky hoses.
Still leaking, I think they have been trimmed many times over the years to the point that theres not enough left.
I'll revisit this later, need to see what repair connectors are available to extend the hoses slightly I think.

[CitroJim]

As long as it's the pukka stuff James, that's good.. Opie seems OK...

Why pump it out when the drain plug is so accessible? The O ring on the drain plug is infinitely reusable... You need a 6mm hex key for it. Better to drain via the drain plug... Measure how much you drain and add in the same quantity of new - saves a bit of hassle... Does your gearbox have a dipstick? At that age it should have... If it does the procedure is very easy and no need for the official procedure then. Let me know

need to see what repair connectors are available to extend the hoses slightly I think.

I use lengths of copper water pipe of various diameters.... Copper and LHM are happy bedfellows according to my tests and trials...

[elma]

I do have a dipstick, lucky there.
I was thinking I could get more out with the pump for a more thorough change.

I intend to put back in whatever amount I take out. I have no lexia so is this the right way? The dipstick is useless to me as cold its overfilled and running the airborne is installed.

Copper pipe, excellent hadn't thought of that. Should have the relevant sizes stashed here already.

[CitroJim]

Good, to have a dipstick is good James...

No, I can tell you you won't. Draining it will get more... Using a pump will be alot of buggering about for no reward...

Right, this is how:

Drain hot... measure how much came out and the pour an identical amount of new back in. You’ll do about 4.8 - 5 litres

Refill. Refill either through the dipstick hole or the blue-capped breather hole (after removing the blue cap). Use a funnel with an extension made from a length of clear plastic tube to refill. This is not too much different to the special tool for the job. Use clear hose so that you can see when the new oil has completely cleared the tube otherwise the job can get messy.

Also, if doing it on a old day, warm the new LT71141 so that it flows a little easier....

Start up.. Move the selector from P to 1 and back again...

Get the to good running temperature (at least 80 degrees). A good hard run will do...

Then check the level whilst hot and idling just after moving the selector from P to 1 and back again.

Level should be between the two lines on the stick. Top up or conversely drain off a touch if it's too full..

You will get misleading readings if you check with the gearbox at less than 80 degrees. Also, if too overfilled the box will leak it out past the driveshaft seals.

[elma]

That sounds nice and easy except for knowing where the dipstick is.... I ordered 4 litres so will add one more, maybe repeat in 3 months unless it comes out very clean

Lhm pumps still leaking. Had a look just now and theres fresh lhm sat on it. I guess the cars decided I'm ordering pump seals and an alternator belt next week. I'll have to take the pump off, can't see much of it or any of the leak.

[CitroJim]

Yes, good to do a repeat change after a few months James as around half the gearbox oil is trapped in the torque converter...

V6 LHM pumps just love to leak! New seals should fix it and the pump is easier to remove than it looks...

You can mprove access to the gearbox dipstick by removing the air intake hose bracket attached to the battery tray... but I fin no real need. It's quite get-attable once the airbox is out of the way...

[elma]

V6 LHM pumps just love to leak! New seals should fix it and the pump is easier to remove than it looks...

Pleased to hear it as all I can see is engine.
A look at a picture of one off the car should make it easy enough.
The alternator will appreciate its drippy neighbour being sorted out as well.
Where are seals best obtained from and are dimensions standard or do I need to look up on service citroen?

Thats me prity sorted for 2 weeks then.
This weekend, finish cleaning, sort out the 2 leaky hoses ,get wheels off for cleaning and inspection.

Next weekend: Engine and gearbox oil change.

Weekend after: LHM pump refurb and new alternator belt.

I have enough jobs to plan many weekends further but as the cars deciding all by itself we'll see what it wants next.
I think I'll save in fuel what I'm spending in parts anyway, really don't want to drive it now its clean. My labourers quite astounded as he's run out of tobacco and normally I'll shoot to the shops for anything. Today I just said "but my cars to clean to drive" he looked gobsmacked, I'll take him to the shops after work though we go every Friday evening for food.

On a really happy note I just had a letter from lock stock in N Wales who I rented my container from. They haven't bothered to write a letter but have sent a cheque for just over £50. Whats funny is I've been arguing with them for months as they say I owe them 3 months rent (I don't). We've managed to narrow one month I missed to the month between February and March and the other two are untraceable. I'm guessing the cheque is the end of that little disagreement.

[CitroJim]

James, get the O rings from a dealer...

This will show you the part numbers...





Nice result on the container

[elma]

Any idea how many of each? I'd like to do the lot if I take the pump off. Guessing 1 big one and 8 small ones (from 6+2 pump)

I'll order the gasket I need to do the spark plugs at the same time and the auxiliary belt. My local dealers not so local.

Any other little bits worth stocking up on? I can't think of anything right now but I have a week to consider.

Finally, thanks to the cheque, I need the loctite to reseal the sump at the oil change. Anyone remember the specific type? I'll look it up after work if not but it would be nice to order it this afternoon.

[CitroJim]

2 big black ones James (4026 88) and six green ones (4026 87)

Loctite 5980 is what I'd recommend for the sump/camboxes

eBay has plenty of choice...

Not too expensive either

[elma]

Perfect, thanks Jim.
I ordered a big tube so I'll have plenty left for the cam box etc.

I think I've found the correct size copper pipe to make some repairs.
I'll test fit later and see.
I need to order some hose to finish the job off so not an instant fix but getting there.

Very pleased to see the start of things happening to the car I bought it to do.
It's been frustrating having it and not being able to do the work it needs.

[CitroJim]

James, it's a pleasure to help and delighted you're now able to get some work done on the car

I know and understand your frustration so well... So pleased it is all over now

[elma]

Oh what a day, I've been out watering the plants and it's not just them wilting.
It's 33 deg c in my caravan, may fit an aircon unit if this carries on. Handily we have a single one in the stores that I have my eye on.
Kelvs has invented his own aircon, he's lying on damp grass in shadow. Seems to work as he doesn't feel terribly hot.
I'd like to take him for a swim but I'm not happy taking him in the car in this weather for how long it is to the nearest swimming spot I've found.

Snuck out to the boot sale first thing.
Got 8 records, 10 cds, a perfect Barometer and an old phillips make electronics and radio kit. Don't know how but I bought all of that for £8 in about 20 mins.

Car isn't getting attention today, I'm ruined so everything is now happening tomorrow.
Birds have targeted it now it's shiny, little buggers, I may not feed them anymore if that's how I'm repaid.

Works sending me a van on Monday to live here.
Very pleased with that, it means I can take the Xantia apart and take my time fixing things.
I only really need to go to Town twice a week which is about 10 miles altogether.
They don't seem to mind little personal journeys anyway so basically free fuel for some things now.
The van itself isn't bad but when it's loaded the brakes are dangerous so I'm taking it to have the bias valve checked before I bring any heavy loads in it.
Probably thats why I'm the only one to use it for the last couple of months, I'll keep quiet about the brakes being fixed or the other foreman will want it back.

[CitroJim]

I feel for you James

I ran 10K in all this heat today and then went for a very warm bike ride...

I did find a bit of cool when riding through this place...

Own Work

It was lovely and shady in the trees

Excellent news on the van Means you can spanner the Xantia at your own pace and not have to worry and fret over having to keep it on the road 100% of the time

[elma]

Maybe you should be a triathlete in summer Jim.
I'm sure there's noting as satisfying as jumping into a pond after a ride and a run in this heat.
That used to be our Summer thing in N Wales, nice lakes around all the good MTB rides so we'd go for a swim when we got to hot.

I'm overjoyed about the van.
My lifes improved so much since not so long ago and the treats just keep coming.
I'm due a pay review as well which will help with everything.
I so wish I'd left Wales years ago when the work dried up and come to work for these guys, they'd even asked me all the way back then but I wanted to stay in the Mountains.
Oh well, lesson learnt. I'll not be making a similar mistake again as the consequences last for years albeit, thankfully, become easier to deal with as time passes.

I've just found my old Toshiba Libretto.
No sign of the power cord yet but it will turn up.
I always fancied it as a lexia machine so I'll have to get it running again and see.
Last time I used it was at uni trying to install a lite version of Linux.
Got it working but couldn't get the PCMCIA cards working so it was essentially a big calculator.
Lets see what we can do, I do mean we as well as I'm rubbish at this sort of thing.