Elmas Xantia V6 and Musical Stuff

[elma]

Partial success with the libretto followed by total disaster.

I found the power lead and plugged it in.
Its leds lit up but the screen did not and it made the noises of an expired HDD.
So I took it out to source a replacement.
Being inquisitive I also took the whole computer apart.
I tried to unplug the little battery inside, which I managed, but I damaged the connector.
Now it's totally dead.
I can hopefully replace the battery but cannot work out how to get it out as the wires routed through a micro hole and the board can't be pulled away because I can't work out how to undo the mouse or the 2 ribbon cables.
Thankfully I only damaged the battery side of the connector not the computer side.
I wonder if I should just bin it though.
It will likely cost more to fix than just buying something to do the job later when I actually need it.

Also I did manage one tiny job on the car today.
I checked if my copper pipes fitted the leaky lhm hoses.
Got lucky with the first one, 15mm is a perfect fit.
The second requires 12mm which I can't find.
I just ordered 100mm for a few quid, don't have time to waste routing through an awful lot of stuff when it's such a cheap thing to just buy.
I also ordered a length of 15mm id unleaded fuel hose and the same in 12mm id plus a pack of clips for each size.
Miracle happened though, the 15mm one seems to have stopped leaking now I've been fiddling with it.
I'll believe it after I've been for a drive but I'm prity pleased with that little hose right now.

Thats me done buying stuff this week, restricted to food only from here on and a pack of Kelvs tablets.
Need to get selling stuff too, so much stuff here that I don't need, it could easily pay to refurbish the car.

Tomorrow Carpets go back in, tax return gets returned and stuff gets sorted out that came from Wales and is just sat in the barn.

[CitroJim]

Maybe you should be a triathlete in summer Jim.

I am already James... Many mornings I run, swim and then cycle to work!

I have dreams of doing a proper triathlon... Maybe next year when I also plan to do a few full marathons...

Speaking of ponds... Yesterday 'Ponds' was the theme of parkrun photographs... Those on parkrun courses...

Ours has a little one and I reckon not only I was keen to jump into it after a very warm run... Despite the warm I still did the 5K run in 25 minutes


Linford Wood Pond - Own Work

For the small copper pipe James, look for 'microbore' central heating pipe from a decent plumbing supplier

Hope the laptop can be revived I'm sure you can!

[elma]

Rust has all been removed from footwells and the areas treated.
Just waiting for the kurust to cure then some painting.

In the meantime some more cleaning.

That hose to the tank still looks sealed, only one to go.
Reminds me, air box needs to come off.
I should be able to trace the other leaks now its been out for a ride.

[elma]

Paints done, I found a tin of post office red from my old van. Saved a lot of time not having to mask and spray. Doesn't look amazing but no one's going to see it. The important thing, that the surface rust doesn't develop further, is achieved.

Own

Own work

I had a check on the pressure reg and center block and they were dry. I think oil fromy the leaky Cambox may have dripped onto them. Will check weekly for a little while until I'm totally satisfied.

On the face of it this means I just have to refurbish the pump, fix one hose, change some spheres and the lhm the achieve a healthy system. This seems about right for this car, its been loved but needs tidying up and a really good service.

Speaking of spheres all the ones I had were used. I'm just going to order some as soon as possible.

[CitroJim]

Good work James

[elma]

Not enjoying this, been putting the carpets back in for 2 hours now.
I forgot how I took them out because it was so long ago.
Had to take the N/S/F one out again because I forgot the little footplate.
I'm onto seats now, just the O/S to go and the little flap of padding below the glovebox.

It's actually been that horrible to do I've been saying to myself for about 30 mins this is my last Xantia.
Not true as theres still an Activa to go.
Quick cup of tea, calm down ever so slightly then get those last seats in.
I've got to reattach the air box too then I'm done for the day, sod cleaning the rest of the outside thats what lunch breaks are for.
Still got a tax return to do today.

Found a spare aerial so can see if that sorts out the fm reception before taking the stereo apart.

[CitroJim]

It's actually been that horrible to do I've been saying to myself for about 30 mins this is my last Xantia.
Not true as theres still an Activa to go.

That's the spirit James... Giving up Xantias is harder than giving up drugs

I managed to give up smoking, caffeine and booze but not Xantias...

[elma]

Mines about to drive me to drugs, booze and everything else.
Just finished the job only to find that the drivers seat base won't go up and down at the rear now.
It's mechanically stuck as I can feel the driveshaft trying to turn under the seat but it cannot.
Unimpressed, car should play nice it's had over half my wages and all my spare time this week.
I may park it outside a scrap yard for a few days just to remind it how serious messing round your owner can be.
First we're off to co-op for an ice lolly.

[Zelandeth]

Not enjoying this, been putting the carpets back in for 2 hours now.
I forgot how I took them out because it was so long ago.

That's very much my speciality as well!

Several times this year I've come across bits in the house and haven't been able to figure out which car they came from, never mind *where* they came from!

[elma]

If I had as many cars as you Zel I'd probably come unstuck.
I found it hard enough buying the correct bulbs when I had the Scenic and the Xantia, it was just so confusing.

Test drive done, car is so much better for the carpets.
All I can really hear now is engine noise as opposed to road noise blended with engine, much better.
My stereo display is almost gone now, I think the heats finished it off, are they replaceable on the blaukpunts?
I've looked for a replacement but only found one at £80! Which I chose not to buy.
Headliner needs addressing very soon, the sag covers probably 60-70% of the roof now.
The middles still stuck so I want to get it done before it isn't as it's holding everything in line.
Engines feeling very good, I wonder if that's the air filters doing?
Given fresh oil next weekend it should be amazing.

Tax return now, joy.

[elma]

The cars trying my patience this week.
It's developed 2 new faults, the rear screen washer has failed and occasionally the starter motor fails to do anything.

My plans of changing gearbox and engine oil this weekend appear to have been scuppered as well. Opie have taken my money but not yet acknowledged my order and the sealant was only marked dispatched this afternoon. I'll ring Opie in the morning, they may well end up being asked for a refund if they've not dispatched my order after this long. I'd heard favourable reports about them but taking the money and not even acknowledging the order is below what I expect. I doubt I'll have time to do the work over the weekend anyway but thats not the point. I also doubt I'll be fixing any LHM leaks as I've been sent smaller hose than I ordered which isn't going to fit. The clips haven't turned up either but I can happily announce that the 12mm copper pipe has turned up in good time and just as I ordered, there had to be something correct.

The van let me down terribly this morning. I was needed 40mins away with a lot of heavy builder type stuff. The van has a puncture and so I decided to change to the spare. On the Boxxer the spare is held in by a bracket and lowered with a cable. Once it's lowered I can't work out how to get it off the bracket. Didn't matter anyway as the spare has a far worse puncture, not impressed. I think if you drive a work vehicle and you use the spare but don't get the tyre repaired you should at least tell the office so a repair can be arranged. That could have stranded me when I took the van to Wales. Anyway I had to put all the messy, heavy crap in the Xantia and take it to Droxford which it did with ease. I'm not too happy about all the sand and stuff in the boot now at all. So tomorrow I have to take the tyre to the repair place first thing then get to Droxford with more stuff.

Don't need it at all, already done 45 hours this week and theres every chance that it will get to over 70 hours as the Landscaping guys have shafted me yet again by ignoring me for 2 weeks when they should be here doing their jobs. It's funny though as I'm not here this week and so they've probably lost about £10,000-£20,000 worth of stock with the weather we just had. Theres just my labourer on site and he's busy doing other jobs that they have arranged despite the fact that we need 4 guys watering in this weather. I can't swap him to watering either as they've hired out plant and set deadlines. I'm intrigued as to how they will explain to the boss as it's his money they are so casually wasting. They've already said I did not ring them, email them or anything else so they didn't know. They aint the brightest as we all have company phones and emails, it takes seconds for the office to check. Also they arranged the work I'm now on so how they didn't know is beyond me. I predict a rather large rollicking coming their way in the near to immediate future.

You can probably tell from the tone of my post I'm worn out and fed up. I really need a rest at the moment and it isn't going to happen this weekend.

[CitroJim]

That's really bloody annoying with the van James

On your starter issue, there is a mod you need to do to install a helper relay. It is a very, very common issue on the V6 (both Xantia and XM) and I can remember the previous owner having this issue too..

I sent him the full details of how to install the relay and thought he had...

No worries, here's the diagram of the modified starter circuit with the relay fitted:



And here's the original for reference:



Hope that helps James... I could do this mod for you when I visit in July if you want...

[elma]

Thanks Jim, that rings a bell now.
I'm prity good with wires and relays so will probably get that done soonish. Maybe get the headlamp relay done at the same time.
If you need Xantia therapy in July the faulty engine fan is the most likely candidate, I really should get on that one too.
I'm not planning on doing much more than 10 miles a week until it's all repaired now I have the van so we'll have to see what time allows me to do. My intentions often outweigh my achievements at the moment.

[CitroJim]

No, I'm not going to partake in any Xantia therapy James... I've been ordered not to and to take a proper break

My presence on here and Facebook may be very much reduced too...

My week will be entirely cycling, running, swimming, gym, beach and Beaulieu

My plan is to cycle as much of the New Forest as I can...

[elma]

Then no more shall be said.
You're welcome to take it for a spin though if you would enjoy. I know you love a V6.