MikeT's C5r 1.6 hdi Estate

[MikeT]

Thanks for your kind words everyone, they've been a comfort for me.
Misty has now passed over the "rainbow bridge" (as they tell the kiddies) following my consultation with the vet this morning.

I know everyone says it about their pets, but she truly was a unique cat for so many reasons and will be sorely missed both by me and the many passing admirers that she took great pleasure in greeting outside the shop I live near.

And of course, her other housemate who would often cuddle up next to her for a snooze.

[Hell Razor5543]

Every pet is unique. They have foibles and habits that either make you smile or frown (which means they have a personality, and (by my reasoning) therefore they are a person). I am sorry that Misty has passed on, but it is far better to let her go while she was still content, and not when she was in pain. When my Mum had to have her cats put down (different cats, different times) she arranged for it to happen on her boat, where they had had good lives (and so they headed onto pastures new while departing from a place they loved).

I still suggest you get another cat, if you can. That way all of you will have something new to focus upon (and not the gaping hole in your lives that Misty has left behind). It could be worth checking your local rescue sanctuary, to see if there is a small furry person who just wants to be a part of a loving family.

[MikeT]

Yes, she showed admirable qualities the other cat simply doesn't possess.
From children to oaps to even the vets she saw, all found her positively remarkable in one way or another. The other cat s barely mentioned or admired like Misty was, despite them often huddled together, cute as... and she's a sweet enough cat in her own right.

And like Jim, I swore I would never get another cat after my last, yet she came to say hello when I moved in here 10-odd years ago (she lived three doors down) and became such a regular I coudn't resist allowing her to move in. Her owner eventually got pregnant anyway and offloaded the other five cats (plus 4 new-born kittens) so I got to keep her officially (and the other one in the photos).

It's going to be hard facing everyone who regularly enquire after her well-being, she really touched many people's lives in a way I have never fully comprehended but have certainly observed in their delighted faces.

No I won't take on another cat, besides I still have one to look after but I'm more a dog person to be honest (who'd have thought!. Cats just seem to have a way with me I can't resist). I'm thinking I might volunteer at a local rescue to walk and train the most difficult, having recently taken a course on dog cognition and behaviour. I could do with the practice and the exercise.

[CitroJim]

Mike, that's really touching

It just shows how the very best cats choose you as their lifetime partners and not the other way around... The cats I've most loved in the past have come to me like that; most memorable was a semi-feral rusty-brown/black cat that insisted she live with me in Cyprus...

She was the most special cat I ever had, closely followed by a Burmese and then a real litter-runt I called Tiny for obvious reasons... He absolutely hated my ex... There was a sign there somewhere

Although I say I'll never have another, I guess if one decides to adopt me again I may just relent!

[MikeT]

I thought I'd treat the car to a bottle of Millers Diesel Power Ecomax additive. Previously with the XUD Xantia, I poured it neat into the fuel filter, the rest in the tank. That car seemed to run fine with neat additive so wasn't overly concerned with overdosing this car's tank at my next fill-up.

From the next day, I could detect a subtle difference, mainly in smoother running and acceleration.
300+miles later and I'm quietly optimistic it's also cured the legendary 2krpm hesitation/flatspot.
It's as if I've now got 16 valves

What I don't know yet is if this improvement is purely down to the additive in my fuel (ie cetane boost) or will it have a more lasting effect?

[MikeT]

After having splashed another £30 of fuel-only through the car, I'm pleased to report the engine's still running smooth and responsive and the 2krpm hesitation/flastspot has not reared it's head since. I've just topped up with another £30 of fuel but have used regular diesel this time, instead of the V-power I habitually buy. Thinking being, if it runs this good on regular diesel, maintenance doses of Miller's will pay for itself.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone else resigned to the annoying flatspot if they're interested in trying a Miller's overdose?

[MikeT]

Well talk about mixed results. MPG is up, engine still runs as smooth except the hesitation/flatspot is re-appearing already.
I've ordered another bottle of Miller's to repeat the experiment.

[darbuck]

Hi Mike, I don't know if you have already gone through turbo vacuum hoses but it might be an idea to check for even a tiny split causing a boost leak.

[MikeT]

I admit Darren, I'm too chicken to disturb the hoses that have lived in the extreme heat of an engine bay for over 10years.
It makes sense they could well be the culprit as they're also prone to oil contamination from above, when dismantling air (breather) pipes and/or oil filter etc.

What's puzzling me more though is how a fuel additive can completely eliminate (or mask?) the problem, albeit temporarily, for over 600miles.

[demag]

Maybe it needs a few doses to eliminate whatever the problem was.

[darbuck]

It burns at a higher temperature causing more complete combustion I tried the same as your self but then found the oil in the lower pipes which proved my fears really hopefully yours isn't the turbo and something much simpler maybe one of your injectors is sticking, the hoses I am talking about should be fairly small in diameter as in less than 10mm Mike, I just back read the posts sorry to ear about your cat our dog of 15 years went missing last summer without a trace its amazing how attached we become to our pets.

[MikeT]

First things I did when I got the car was check the turbo, or rather, I tugged at the core for excess movement and was pleased to feel how tight it was . That's when i noticed the oil in the intake which has now been fixed by firmly clicking the breather intake in place (which relies on an airtight seal to work the valve). As such, I'm fairly confident my turbo is in good condition for now.

The additive results are puzzling though and the higher-temperature burn theory has crossed my mind but leaves the question "why did it [lack of flatspot] continue through 2x £30 refuels with no Miller's additive and over 600 miles before the hesitation crept back into play?" [Dave's response is one under consideration - see below] and then "why doesn't the fiery furnace of regular regenerations have the same effect?" If the simple answer is carbon build-up, is the answer a regular maintenance dose of Miller's?

Another bottle arrived in the post today which I'll be adding to my tank in due course. Question is, how much can I overdose without waste or risk? The standard regular maintenance dose is 1000:1 or 50ml to 50L. (The label says treat with double-strength for an extra boost).
I went way overboard the recommended dilution last time but the results speak for themselves. Should I repeat the exercise again or start to use it as per instructions this time round?

As for the turbo actuator vacuum hose, I've just looked on Service Citroen and it shows four pipes/hoses with varying prices.

No5 = £18.56
No6 = £18.34
No7 = £40.91
No8 = £37.07

I can identify the first three but what's No8 for?

I assume it'll be far cheaper to source a length of common vacuum hose of the correct diameter or is Citroen's design different/specialised in some way?

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if 8 is going to the master brake cylinder (well, that is what that greyed out item top right looks like), to power assist the brakes?

[RichardW]

No, it's the inbreather for the vac solenoid (1) - the fitting on the end is a little filter AFAIK

[darbuck]

If you look the top end of no 8 is slightly heavier so I it plugs into something rather than over it which on the mk1 is the brake booster