So, bought myself an X7...

[Paul-R]

I have been long thinking of graduating from my 2003 2.0HDi Exclusive Estate to an X7. In my forward planning it would take place in about 12 - 18 months time after taking retirement and so I rejoined here to see what's been happening and also, from time to time, would have a look around on Ebay, Gumtree and Preloved to see what's about.

It would have to an Exclusive again as I wanted wet suspension. And besides I had become used to the little things that an Exclusive also brings along. As I read more I realised that the later 2.0 litre cars had quite low CO2 figures when they became 160bhp. The simultaneously released 140bhp engine was even lower but not available as an exclusive. It was also a semi-auto which I didn't want.

Just three weeks ago I was doing the Ebay thing again and a cat D damaged repaired came up. This one in fact http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-63-Citro ... 7675.l2557

A very similar situation to my first C5, also Cat D, just 2-1/2 years old and priced several thousand below what a "straight" car would cost. Exclusive level with the techno-pack there were a few things missing from my wish list: the primary one being full leather. It also didn't have the xenon option of my phase 1, something I have become quite impressed with.

It was down in Cambridge so I had a nice drive back to Wirral in it. It just wafts along the motorways and, when on some back roads, I wanted to get past a wagon-car-wagon sandwich just powered past on no time flat. A couple of slight negatives - where are the double sun visors that the phase I had and the RH dipped beam was set so high that I was flashed by oncoming drivers a lot.

So what has first annoyed me now I've had it for a couple of days? Well it's the fuel tank filler. There's some kind of safety device to prevent a petrol nozzle being introduced. Unfortunately it also interferes with filling from a fuel can (despite what the manual says) so it has to go. Has anyone removed this plastic nonsense? Or have any idea of safely taking it out before I take the ball-pein approach?

Suppose I'll have to update my profile as well now...

[Stickyfinger]

I used a length of wire to depress that flap when I used (once only) a can...it worked well. (if your talking about the vapour flap ?)

[Paul-R]

I haven't filled up at a fuel station yet so don't know what happens when you put a nozzle in but the whitish flap (it's about 3 - 5cm in from the locking cap) didn't move when I poked it with the fuel can spout. We had to dribble the fuel in and if we went too fast then it overflowed. I wouldn't call it a vapour flap as it doesn't seal against the atmosphere.

[Stickyfinger]

I assumed it was

[Paul-R]

Quoting from the handbook:

MISFUEL PREVENTION (DIESEL)

Mechanical device which prevents filling the tank of a Diesel vehicle with petrol...

Located in the filler neck, the misfuel prevention device appears when the filler cap is removed. When a petrol filler nozzle is introduced into the fuel filler neck of your Diesel vehicle. The system remains closed and prevents filling.

Do not persist but introduce a Diesel type filler nozzle.

and then the lie
it remains possible to use a fuel can to fill the tank. In order to ensure a good flow of fuel, do not place the nozzle of the fuel can in direct contact with the flap of the misfuel prevention device and pour slowly.

the thing has GOT to go

[Stickyfinger]

Single barrel shot gun should do it

note, there is the fuel tank refilling/Eolys sensor near there on the Mk1 and Mk2's....not sure on the X7's

[old'uns]

on the basis that using a Can is a rare occurence ie emergency, why 'hack' at something unneccessarily?
with a 70l tank and a warning with 7l left it's hard to run out of fuel?

i think the sensor is a magnet on the screw cap/filler neck?

[Paul-R]

It's not that rare for me as I fill up my cars from 25l drums more than I visit a fuel station.

[Stickyfinger]

Why....

[Paul-R]

It's considerably cheaper that way. And no, it's not red. It's perfectly legal duty paid.

[Stickyfinger]

get an electric pump and nozzle ?

[Paul-R]

This is getting away from the question though.

Can I assume that the neck is the same for petrol and diesel vehicles and that the device is inserted somehow? Or are the neck assemblies different as a prebuilt unit?

[old'uns]

Can I assume that the neck is the same for petrol and diesel vehicles and that the device is inserted somehow?

unless someone has already taken one apart i'd say no, bearing in mind that as said re: the Eolys sensor, it may be part of the insert on a diesel or at least part of the neck?
or as a Petrol filler is smaller than Devil Fuel maybe it's Petrol that is the insert into a standard size filler neck?

an X7 is a whole lot more complicated than previous models

[Paul-R]

...bearing in mind that as said re: the Eolys sensor, it may be part of the insert on a diesel or at least part of the neck?

I can't see the sensor being inside the neck. And I'm sure I've seen it written (on this forum) that the sensor is near to the neck on the outside.

or as a Petrol filler is smaller than Devil Fuel maybe it's Petrol that is the insert into a standard size filler neck?

Petrol filler necks and the associated nozzles were reduced in diameter some decades ago with the introduction of unleaded fuel to stop the accidental introduction of leaded fuel. It had nothing to do with diesel although it also stopped larger diesel nozzles from going into unleaded petrol cars.

Unfortunately there was nothing to stop the misfiling of petrol into diesel cars and I can see how this device is a clever way to do just that. A small petrol nozzle doesn't release the flap whereas a snug fitting diesel nozzle somehow unlocks it.

an X7 is a whole lot more complicated than previous models

Yep. Sure is.

[Stickyfinger]

On the Mk2, the sensor fits on the outside of the neck just under the area moulded for the cap. Access via the wheel arch liner