Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX and V6 Loveliness

Unread post by **yannbeam** » 10 Dec 2016, 19:52

Collected my purchase this morning in the pouring rain. Not in bad condition overall. The body work is quite respectable for a 22 year old car. Does need a really good clean though. The only real problem I can see is the heater mattrix appears to be leaking

Ironicly the dash needs to come out of the TD which is partly why I bought this one

Will post some pictures when I can get my phone to talk to the computer.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 11 Dec 2016, 12:20

Excellent Ian, I'll be following with great interest and looking forward to subsequent instalments

Unread post by **yannbeam** » 11 Dec 2016, 19:40

Hey Jim, do you think a bottle of Forte might help with the heater matrix untill I get time to llook at it in the new year ? I wont use 'Leak Fix' products, but I've heard good things about Forte and believe you yourself find it acceptable.

Another matter is the auto box. Its fine at low speed but sluggish at higher speeds. I checked the oil and it is black and rancid looking. Was going to change it but the Dexron I had in the garage is D3 so I will have to get some proper stuff asap. The problem as the moment is its dark when I get home from work so fettling time is greatly reduced.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 11 Dec 2016, 20:19

Dextron is actually the correct fluid for the 4HP14, although personally I would stick to D II. The sluggishness might just be the way they are (but I last drove one in 2004 so may have forgotten).

Unread post by **yannbeam** » 11 Dec 2016, 22:26

Parked next to its younger sibbling.

The one that started it all.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Dec 2016, 08:39

yannbeam wrote:Hey Jim, do you think a bottle of Forte might help with the heater matrix untill I get time to llook at it in the new year ? I wont use 'Leak Fix' products, but I've heard good things about Forte and believe you yourself find it acceptable.

Yes, it's currently in Gabriel's cooling system and has staved off the day I must do the heater matrix quite well... I just get the occasional whiff now..

As Mike says, DEX II is the correct stuff for the gearbox... Do a few changes in quick succession to effectively flush as nearly half the total is trapped in the torque converter and only successive changes will flush it out...

Old DEX is often black and rancid... Nothing to be overly worried about if the 'box is working well.

Use proper mineral DEX II and don't be tempted to put DEX III or later in even though it's stated to be backwardly compatible. The 4HP14 and 18 don't seem to like the more modern semi and synthetic ATFs...

Also, clean the gauze filter which is easily accessible under a small cover in the gearbox sump...

Unread post by **elma** » 12 Dec 2016, 16:55

I'm happy with the Forte as well. In fact I have a tub on order for my Xantia whose heater matrix is suffering the same fate as yours. Heater matrixes, as far as I'm concerned, are a Summer job.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Dec 2016, 17:04

elma wrote:Heater matrixes, as far as I'm concerned, are a Summer job.

Yes!!!!

Stickyfinger · Unread post by **Stickyfinger** » 12 Dec 2016, 17:12

Winter job if/when mine goes...heated garage and less need for heat in the summer

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Dec 2016, 17:53

Stickyfinger wrote:Winter job if/when mine goes...heated garage and less need for heat in the summer

Jealousy will get me nowhere

Unread post by **elma** » 12 Dec 2016, 17:59

Or we could meet at Alasdairs and do both our matrixes in heated luxury.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 12 Dec 2016, 18:02

elma wrote:Or we could meet at Alasdairs and do both our matrixes in heated luxury.

I like that idea James

Hell Razor5543 · Unread post by **Hell Razor5543** » 12 Dec 2016, 18:06

Watch out for Keanu Reeves then.

Stickyfinger · Unread post by **Stickyfinger** » 12 Dec 2016, 18:17

Oi !

Unread post by **yannbeam** » 12 Dec 2016, 19:48

Heated garage ! All my fettling has to be done 'au naturel' these days

Bottle of Forte on its way as we speak. Gearbox oil will have to wait until the weekend now.