Elmas Xantia V6 and Musical Stuff

[CitroJim]

Good news on Kelvin James

Now the warmer weather is here you can do a temporary fix on the heater by simply cutting the pipes and joining them to bypass the matrix and the leaky elbow completely... I ran my first V6 like that all through the summer and only did the job properly when the cooler autumn nights started to creep in...

I reckon in your southern location you can get away without a heater...

[elma]

Thats worst case scenario, I'm not happy without my heaters. If I do stuff it up I will do a temp bypass until I save up £90 for the elbow or improvise a better solution. I was thinking about 3d printing but the layered structure would be no good for this. I might look at resin printing, the part may be suitable and the resin selection is probably ok now. It was quite limited last time I looked.

[Stickyfinger]

Ther was a thread on a Pug forum about a 2ltr car's matrix (cannot remember where now) but :

They said that as the matrix is a "flow through design", if you just add a bypass the coolant flow will increase resulting in overheating when the car is driven hard.
They maintained there should be a good "restrictor " in the joining pipe to simulate the presence of a matrix being in place.

Thoughts ?

[CitroJim]

Thoughts ?

Having stuck a hose through a matrix to flush it once upon a time Alasdair, it did not present much resistance at all as far as I could see...

It's a pretty free-flowing design as far as I could tell...

My V6 never suffered from being bypassed but then I'm not exactly a hard driver...

Not hard to put a restriction in place though. Use a plumbing gate valve or a little isolator valve like the ones used to supply lavatory cisterns turned half-open or so...

Personally, and on practical experience, I'd not worry as it will only be a temporary expedient.

I wonder if the person concerned was mistaking it with removing the thermostat? That can certainly cause overheating as the coolant path is often then short-circuited.

[Stickyfinger]

They even measured the flow/time, so who knows. You do not really "stress" an engine however Jim

[elma]

If it gets to that I can judge the flow of the matrix through the two holes that will be unhosed.
I'm really not planning on going down that route though.
I'll try to loosen the hose gently after every drive now and let the build up of movement and heat undo it over time.
Will have thermal gloves under rubber gloves, no burns.

[CitroJim]

You do not really "stress" an engine however Jim

That's very true!

I'll try to loosen the hose gently after every drive now and let the build up of movement and heat undo it over time.
Will have thermal gloves under rubber gloves, no burns.

That's a good way to do it James, at least it's fairly well accessible in a V6 and that helps enormously...

[elma]

It is surprisingly accessible compared to almost everything else on the car.

[elma]

Minor disaster today when I decided to go to the shops. I topped up the coolant before leaving as usual. Unusually the coolant was leaving just as fast as I was pouring it in. Examining the elbow I could see the os hose was completely unstuck and the ns one was still really tight. I decided to use a junior hacksaw blade to saw the hoses apart as I could only see forcing the other one off causing damage. Got the hose off, found a clip, put it all back together and cracked the nipple doing up the clip. A good chunk of the elbow then dissolved and I bypassed the heater.

Need to find a new elbow rapidly now for less than £90. I thought I'd pulled it off as well but it's better it goes now than 6 months down the line with me unaware. In reality I need to get the remains of the old elbow out first, it's stuck fast at the moment and will need some heat and contortions I think.

Good news is I've been to the shops and my coolant no longer leaks.
Whats the level on the V6? Since mine leaked I just filled it an inch from the top before. I found the plastic stuff inside the bottle confusing so just went for halfway up the bottle cold.

I've found some Polish Hoses for £19 that may be ok. Has anyone bought any of these hoses from Poland? I know the exhausts are considered well so for £19 it sounds like good value.

[lexi]

I think they may be worth a try?

[elma]

Had an amazing day on Saturaday visiting Beulieu museum. It's not the largest collection but there are some stunning vehicles there and the staff are very knowledgeable with a keenness to show off the vehicles. Got loads of pictures but they won't upload so maybe later.

Xantias ok but the steerings going heavy at low speeds again and the rear ends jumping. The new pipe doesn't appear to be leaking so I expect the Lhm level is low from the other leaks. Ive not had a proper look yet, just quickly popped the bonnet to check the pipe. Other than that it's running alright. Im not sure about that hose from Poland, will order one as it is cheap but the elbow is not symmetrical (sides are different lengths) and the bleed valve looks to be in the wrong place. I'll fill up the bleed valve if it doesn't fit and saw the end off so not worried about that. Just hoping the thing fits.

[CitroJim]

Excellent on Beulieu James It's years since I've been there but I always enjoy it as there are other things there of interest bar the cars..

The walled garden, the house itself and the grounds containing ruins are all magical... Last time I was there they had a little WW2 museum in the house and the kitchens were all Victorian...

These days I'd love to go for a long run all around the grounds... I reckon there's a good 10K circuit lurking there...

Fingers crossed on the pipe...

[elma]

The grounds are beautiful and we spent the afternoon strolling around aimlessly, there's easily a nice 10k run in there. We didn't go into the house as it was packed but there was a small SOE exhibition in what I assume was the gatehouse that is quite interesting. A couple of radios I think you'd have liked were on display along with other gadgets I found quite fascinating, the SOE equipment was so intelligently engineered. I actually remember some of it clearly from my childhood although Im not sure where I saw it but assume Duxford. Beulieu has a special connection with the SOE as it was used as a training base for them.

I spent a long time talking to a staff member with a Willies Jeep and he actually said they would display my car when I finish getting it into shape due to it's weirdness and rarity. Not sure if he was just being nice but it made me feel very proud.

[CitroJim]

That's it James, the Gatehouse And yes, the SOE... Very good it was too..

A day out there really does make for a very good day indeed... Perfect would be to cycle there, run 10K look around everything and then cycle home!

Just the stuff to blow away all stress and set you up for the next week

[elma]

Had a good look at the new Lhm pump pipe today and it seems alright, plus the pump seems quite dry compared to before so I expect the intermittent heavy steering is something else. I have a leak on the centre block and the pressure reg so I better get those fixed and see if theres a difference.

I'm starting to worry about the oil leaks as I'm seeing drips under the car now which is a new thing. I really need to get my butt to Wales asap for my tools. It'll be 2 weeks at best, but I need a company van here for the weekend which isn't something that can really be predicted with any accuracy. I know one of the guys with a van takes it home to Luton at weekends from Plymouth so I may be able to get him to drop in and swap to the Xantia for the weekend. I totally trust him with the car and he drives it often when he's here as he loves it.

Finally got some kurust too so just need to find sandpaper, which we have plenty of somewhere, and I can get the carpets back in.

It struck me today as I walked up to it in the supermarket carpark that the excitement of owning this car isn't wearing off. I still walk over in a state of excitement, often talking to the car as I unlock it and get in. I'm surprised that I don't need to go and drive a normal car for a bit to remember how spoilt I am but I don't which I see as a good thing.

Witnessed some really bad moves on the roads here today. I've generally been quite impressed with the driving round here compared to Wales but today was ridiculous. Not going to go into it because I can't be bothered whinging but I'm surprised I didn't see at least 3 people go to hospital or worse today and rather happy that I didn't.

Kelvins not doing too badly other than he's managed to develop an ear infection. £60 at the vets later and we have some magic drops that should cure it. I hope he's getting all his ailments over with at once then we can have a few vet free years. I seem to do the same so I totally understand, we've got to have a vet free week soon though. I'm getting fed up of having no money, better than having no dog though so I guess better not whinge about that either.