Elmas Xantia V6 and Musical Stuff

[elma]

You know it was the hardest thing for me to learn as far as car maintenance goes. I still have the odd relapse though.
I had a look at automecs website, looks good stuff but unfortunately the cheapest is 200. I'll give them a call and see if they've got one with a ding or something but I expect I'll have to get something less pricey. I am correct in thinking I'm after a conventional metric flaring tool for the front brakes rather than a Citroen one aren't I?

[elma]

Todays ebay desire 1984 Cx
Not the best colour scheme but I like it.

The XM is sold, hopefully we get a hello soon from the new owner.

[citronut]

i purchased this one but direct from the seller Wright automotive supplies

http://tinyurl.com/oz3zoel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

they also supplied the 6.35 die and punch all in includige carige for i think it was £185,

on contacting them they said they would have to ask there supplier who is also the manufacturer of this kit, and local to them in Coventry,
they said the factory was on a 2 week close down at the time of my call the Wrights, the lady said she would ask them on there return,

i forgot all about this till one day i got a call from the very very helpful lady at Wrights, saying they could supply the complete kit

[RichardW]

I think that brake pipe is std SAE flare - at least on the outboard end! Citroen list it as 4.75mm which is not 'std' Citroen size - and is in fact very close to 3/16" imperial pipe (3/16" = 4.7625mm). You should be able to get one made up at local garage / factors. I think it's a git to change though, as it runs to the ABS block on the NS inner wing - which side are you having to change?

[elma]

Its the unfortunate side, drivers or O/S. It does look a difficult job as I can't see where the pipe goes once it gets to the N/S wheelarch. I'm not going to get a garage to make the pipe, it's happened so often to me now that I need the tool. At the moment this Teng set is top of the list. I may put a join on it across the long straight run to save the fiddling on the N/S. It has a 4.75 die so that should be alright. Is the thread size on the end of the pipe 10mm? I got that from a google search but don't have the old one here to check. Finally what thickness pipe will I need to get hold of please?

Todays been rubbish, on the way back from our walk Dog was attacked by an English Bull. He has 2 metal staples in his side now and isn't too pleased. He's been put on light duties for the next fortnight so we're going to have a bit of a difficult time. He's half Collie half Labrador so taking it easy isn't in his nature. I'm just making fire so hopefully he chills out for the evening.

[lexi]

Sorry to hear about Dog. This is one of the best portable standard flaring tools. http://toolstoday.co.uk/draper-expert-3 ... MZcfX-8aAm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have more comprehensive kits but that one is really flexible for flaring on the car. No good for big Cit pipes mind.
I would keep an eye out for dies that you can maybe use with some of your kit. I picked up a pro refrigeration set that can do almost anything....Swiss made and pure quality. It was a tenner at a boot sale

[citronut]

At the moment this Teng set is top of the list.

i wouldnt touch that type of flare tool with the proverbial barge pole or mine, trouble with that type is they cause a seem down both side of the flare that can cause the joint to leak,

the hand held tool lexi mentions is a very good one,

here is one of the same type but less dosh,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Franklin-Tools- ... B00DL0OO6C" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i have a Franklin tools hand/vice flaring tool, but cant find a link to the same type, it is very very good,

Todays been rubbish, on the way back from our walk Dog was attacked by an English Bull. He has 2 metal staples in his side now and isn't too pleased. He's been put on light duties for the next fortnight so we're going to have a bit of a difficult time. He's half Collie half Labrador so taking it easy isn't in his nature. I'm just making fire so hopefully he chills out for the evening.

hope your dog does not suffer tooooo much and gets well as soon as possible

[elma]

Excellent, this is just the advice I need and getting right onto budget, thanks very much.

Dog is very sore, I can see that breathing is causing him discomfort. The Bull is in a poor state as well, whole episode lasted under 10 seconds and I did it damage before it dropped off my boy. Scary strong that breed, it took 2 sidekicks downwards into the middle of its ribcage and didn't notice, only let go when a boot was planted hard on its throat and a heel into its spine. Typically for around here it was out alone, no collar, tag, lead, muzzle or owner and it was going for the throat/kill, my dog was on his lead. There was one thing I noticed walking up at my parents I really liked, all the dog walkers had leads, poo bags and were polite. I can't wait to move. Vet says he will be very sore for 4-5 days and the bruising is deep so just a case of keeping his little head occupied as much as possible I suppose.

I wish we'd license dog ownership, this wouldn't have happened if the owner was responsible and competent. Chances are they only bought it to enhance their tough image or make money breeding from. I don't have a problem with that dog and I think the "dangerous dogs act" is stupid, I can have the dog destroyed now if I can trace it and wish to but I can't touch the owner. The dog is just doing what it's bred to do if it's not trained and disciplined, the owner is negligent and dangerous. Sorry, to rant but I probably will for a while now. Kelvin (the dog) is the most important thing in my world.

[bxzx16v]

I wish Kelvin a swift recovery Elma.

Mark

[elma]

Thank you, he is recovering but still very sore. Much better last night though, no yapping so we both got some sleep.

I've reported it to the Police now, apparently this is the 2nd attack by this type of Dog in the village in a week so it had to be. They are very concerned to track it down and stop it before it hurts a person, nevermind the dogs it's chewed on. It turns out the law has changed and if the owner is found will be prosecuted for assault on myself and the other dog owner. I asked the Police lady what happens if the owner denies it's their dog and needless to say the law still needs some updating.

As for the car I've had another suggestion for the solid brake line. A friend builds race cars and tells me that if I go to Demon Tweaks site I will find flexible brake lines that can be joined to solid ones with olives. It sounds a little dubious to me but generally this guy really knows what he's talking about. He knows Citroens well enough as well, he's had a 4x4 Bx and 3 Xms over the years.

Heres a few pics of one of his cars, thought I might as well show them if I talk about them. It's racing Formula Libre in Ireland, a very exciting class as it pits open wheelers against enclosed.

[CitroJim]

Gosh, poor Kelvin I know exactly what it's like... I've taken a couple of very well-planted kicks in the ribs during karate and it really does hurt and takes an age to get completely right...

I took a massive kick (neglected to block it properly ) just before Christmas and I can still feel it a bit now...

I too wish him a speedy recovery.. I have great empathy...

[elma]

Thank you Jim. Kelvs improving fast now, today he jumped out of bed by himself before he took his tablet so I'm really happy.
Thats exactly why I gave up Martial arts years ago, I wasn't bad at inflicting but was awful about getting out of the way.

I've made a little financial progress over the last few days, bills are 80% covered so I've started hunting for a bargain on one of those flaring tools.
I've spent some time on utube watching them used and can see exactly what the problem with the Teng type making seams is. Thank you everyone who gave their advice.
Potentially I have a job next week locally so I can walk while the cars resting.
Also I've arranged moving for the week after, to a nice area with mostly responsible dog owners this time.

I've decided I shall use the solid lines as that is what the rest of the car already has fitted.
Does anyone have any ideas on what may be causing my erratic idle speed? It drops a fair bit with electrical load, I have tried a few things but no joy so far. I think it will go through the MOT warm, but I'd like to take it there all correct.

[xantia_v6]

Does anyone have any ideas on what may be causing my erratic idle speed? It drops a fair bit with electrical load, I have tried a few things but no joy so far. I think it will go through the MOT warm, but I'd like to take it there all correct.

I have very little experience of diesel engines, but on petrol engines, the timing is usually retarded at idle to give a quieter idle and more stable idle speed, is there any way that your dynamic timing could be wrong?

[elma]

On this car the timing holes all line up static but I haven't measured the pump with a gauge.
The cold/warm advance/retard switch on the pump has no effect whatever the setting so could be stuck anywhere.

[elma]

Finally got hold of a flaring tool.

Choosing the pipe and fittings now. I seem to have the choice of steel, copper, copper nickel or Kunifer. I think the last 2 are the same thing. I think I need one of these nuts and this set to connect it to the good bit on the car. Does this all seem about right? Is Kunifer the 1st choice of pipe here?

With any luck I should be back on the road within a week, I'm really missing the freedom.