Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia, pug 206HDi, Daniel's 206 Verve 1.4i, GTi180 plus XUD9TE 206!!

[elma]

Xantia Td is 35mm
3/4 drive preferable to 1/2 but 1/2 usually works

[ekjdm14]

Thank you think I have a 3/4 bar knocking about in the tool bag somewhere.

[CitroJim]

All the best for Escort MOT

Can't imagine any of your cars ever failing badly... Those owned by those who love them never do...

[ekjdm14]

Ugh Halfords was closed earlier than I expected! Will have to get the socket either tomorrow or in the week now.

The bit I'm most worried about on the Escort is rear brakes, RHD Escort brakes were never great anyway as the servo/MC is on the nearside of the bulkhead & operated by a bell crank arrangement but even with new wheel cylinders and some pipework they only scraped through last time. I'm hoping they might have settled somewhat now though as last time of asking was it's first test in 9 years or so. One other thing I noticed is an outer CV boot has split on the offside so a pair is currently in the post, hopefully the joint isn't too bad although they're only about 30 quid.

Aside from that I can't think of much that could be drastically wrong, but you still never quite know with cars this age.

[elma]

It'll only be little things that will make your car safer if it does fail the first round.
I prefer a thorough mot that is highly critical than a half arsed one.
If the brakes fail you'll pass on the retest and have better brakes.

[ekjdm14]

That is very true, and to my seat-of-pants gauge the brakes are great as far as 2-channel ABS, non-XR3i Escort brakes go. The main issue last time was I'd done everything in my ability to make the brakes spot on. Mind you, with the garage I used last time I have to wonder if they tested it as a disc rear braked model or something similar (same garage that told me CO is not adjustable, despite my pointing out the CO potentiometer and lack of Lambda sensor. And assured me that ABS is only ever on all four wheels, despite my pointing out the 2-channel pump & lack of sensors at the back... Although they did manage to get the XM test right a year or so prior...)

We've since found a much more enthusiastic garage, and they are thorough too having given the 206 advisories on various little niggles like the tank strap having lost it's paint & letting me have a good look under while it was on the ramp to see any bits I might want to attend to. I trust Beardmore motors in Congleton to get it right based on that experience (and they have some lovely tropical fish in the waiting/viewing room too!)

[elma]

That sounds like my kind of Garage, I hate being told every things perfect just drive it when I know theres work that needs doing and the cars alright but should be better.

[ekjdm14]

Very much so yes, I know the MoT is a bit of an anachronism really and fails to address every potential issue/addresses things really irrelevant to the purpose of the test but it is nice to know the tester has actually taken in interest and looked over the whole car's general condition etc. Anyway 35mm socket obtained so will have a go at it after.

[elma]

Enjoy that, it'll either come straight off nicely or you'll be on here pushing the swear filter to the limit.

[ekjdm14]

Well they were tight but gave up eventually. I'd say they took well over 500lbf/ft to overcome the stiction but wound off nicely after that. 1/2" drive as well as that's all halfords had in. Can't wait for the engine crane to arrive now. Also had another nice surprise with the new engine when I was cleaning it up, it actually has a Bosch pump not Lucas as we had been told. May be a replacement as I was under the impression the ZX came Lucas equipped (it also seems older than the car the seller removed it from, no armour or electronics on a 96 ZX seems unlikely IMO)

Not complaining at all, now we have a spare pump and injectors amongst other things:)

[mickeymoon]

Well they were tight but gave up eventually. I'd say they took well over 500lbf/ft to overcome the stiction but wound off nicely after that. 1/2" drive as well as that's all halfords had in. Can't wait for the engine crane to arrive now. Also had another nice surprise with the new engine when I was cleaning it up, it actually has a Bosch pump not Lucas as we had been told. May be a replacement as I was under the impression the ZX came Lucas equipped (it also seems older than the car the seller removed it from, no armour or electronics on a 96 ZX seems unlikely IMO)

Not complaining at all, now we have a spare pump and injectors amongst other things:)

Both my 96 ZX TDs had unarmoured Bosch pumps. I'm told they'll do an indicated 120mph running on straight veg oil too..

[ekjdm14]

Ah, I was basing my guesswork on our '95 TD that had Lucas & keypad immobiliser

That one was quite happy sat at 90 on private sections of motorway & felt like it had more to give so I can imagine you're right there, I doubt this Xantia will be as sprightly though somehow lol

[ekjdm14]

Hmm, driveshafts out (and what a pleasure on a car with little in the way of corrosion) but on draining the gearbox the diff plug was finger tight & the fluid looks suspiciously thin and green... I wonder if we could be approaching a true diagnosis of why the engine failed so spectacularly, is it possible that a 4HP14 full of LHM could have suddenly locked up in a low gear at speed? Bearing in mind it seemed to behave fine when I had it running on three, maybe the viscosity when hot caused a TC lockup and over revved the engine :/

Also, in the unlikely event that anyone has come across this kind of mis-fill before, what if any other damage may have been done to the gearbox?

I'm thinking the LHM can't have been in there long given how loose the drain plug was, so am currently hopeful that it's just given it a flush, and new Dex II will be ok ( if I can drain the TC with the box out that would help, any tips/advice would be appreciated).

When I get my laptop back I'll have a search for threads on the HP14 / rebuilds etc, for now I'm stuck on an iPod!

[ekjdm14]

OK can't find too much on the HP14, some good threads on clubxm though covering the HP18... Is this "big brother" close enough in design/build to be a valid reference if I do decide to tear into the 'box in the future? Otherwise, any info on the HP14 would be hugely appreciated!

Cheers all

[yannbeam]

There is a green ATF that is used in Jaguar/Landrover autoboxes. I think its synthetic, and VERY expensive, so probably not too good for a 4HP14.
The HP14 and 18 share a few common parts, but I'm not sure how closely related they are.