Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX and V6 Loveliness

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by CitroJim »

Gosh :shock: You were jolly lucky with that strut top!!!
Jim

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Stickyfinger
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

That was close to spearing the bonnet !
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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yannbeam
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by yannbeam »

I am indeed very lucky. I had no idea it was in that condition. When I heard the creaking/groaning noise I guessed what it would be ! The other one is in remarkably good condition so perhaps I only looked at that one, and not both as I had thought.

My V6 does indeed have heated half leather seats and headlight washers. I thought they may have been options when new, as I was expecting it to have full leather.
Ian
elma
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by elma »

That's a very nice option to have. As far as I'm aware winter pack is the only option missing from mine. I don't mind at all but certainly would like for the car to have had it.
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Stickyfinger
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by Stickyfinger »

Same here.....winter pack is missing. I have all the bits needed to fit it all on but as the car does not see winter......
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Dodger
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by CitroJim »

Softies :lol:

Seriously, Xantia heated seats are lovely but very prone to failure due to snapping of the heater elements... They can be fixed though...

James, all the wiring is present in yours for heated seats and so too for the headlight washers and heated jets so it's easy to retro-fit the winter pack...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
elma
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by elma »

That may well become a finishing touch when all the restorative work is done.
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yannbeam
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by yannbeam »

Pictures of the strut top in all its fear inducing glory.


Image

Image

I now have to try and weld it up so i can move the old TD !!!! #-o
Ian
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CitroJim
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by CitroJim »

Cor! That was well gone :shock:
Jim

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superloopy
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by superloopy »

Reckon the lithuanians can 'revive' that one?

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Mike

Xantia Activa Dante Red MK1 (96) 121k - SORN, to be broken
Xantia Activa Silex Grey MK2 (98) 120k -SORN, ditto
Xantia V6 Silex Grey MK2 (98) 95k - non-runner
Xantia TD Storm Grey MK1 (95) 95k - non-runner
ekjdm14
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Sheesh, that's nasty! Going to have another check of ours now since they too look OK with a little rust but ohhhh boy that's scary!!!
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD rolling shell, White, 81k
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white exec
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by white exec »

The Xantia strut top base plates are, unfortunately, "protected" by a coating of rubber - which both acts as a rust trap and cloaks the rusting steel beneath. This was a dreadful evolution of the part, and followed Citroen's enthusiasm for wrapping some steel components (eg spare wheel carriers) in cosmetic plastic. It may have been intended to keep the weather out, but in the long run, just added to the problem. XM strut top base plates are simply painted, and so rust there is more easily spotted.

I have lost count of the number of Xantias I've seen with speared bonnets (even here in sunny Spain). Driving around with neglected or flat spheres can be the final straw. This one's rubber had axially sheared...
Image
Chris
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yannbeam
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by yannbeam »

I think the gearbox in the VSX may be living on borrowed time. Second gear is nearly constantly slipping now, with much reduced forward momentum. Also the engine temperature rises quite substantially. A manual conversion may be on the cards quite soon.

The other problem is the rocker cover is leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. Although I'm not especially bothered by the smell of smouldering oil, my other half is, and its not really an ideal situation. I changed the gasket thinking that would be the problem, but discovered the cover is split and has been 'repaired' by the previous owner. So now I need to find a new rocker cover too !

Other than that the car is driving very well and the ride is still nice although not quite 'magic carpet'.
Ian
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yannbeam
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by yannbeam »

After being ill for quite a while and a spell in the hospital I've finally had time to work on the V6.

This is the hole in the sill.

Image

This is the result of my masterfull fabrication and welding skills :-D


Image

I also gave it a service. It failed the MOT as the emissions were high so hopefully this will sort that problem. The spark plugs were manky and cant have been changed in recent history. What really concerned me is the colour of the gearbox oil. At first i thought it was just dirty, but it is definitely red in colour. So it looks like it may have been filled with the wrong oil.

Image

So I have ordered some more oil and will have to flush the box as best I can. With a bit of luck I might even manage to get it MOT'd.
Ian
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Zelandeth
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Re: Bargain Odd Spec VSX

Unread post by Zelandeth »

Is that a bit of old fridge/washing machine etc?

A significant portion of my old T25 camper van's floor was from an old washing machine!
Current fleet:
07 Volvo V70 SE D5, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.