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

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
ekjdm14
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur wrote:
ekjdm14 wrote:just have to nick another Escort CVH mount from the scrappy
I note there's one beside the 405 saloon in my local scrappy. Haven't lifted the bonnet on it, lemme know if you can source one easily or whether to look next time I'm there. Reading this thread from a couple of pages prior to here having not visited it in a....ges


Yes there are a couple of Mk5 Escorts in our favourite local yard, thanks though :) Probably going to stick with a rebuilt CVH I think anyway.

In other news, the cut/joined bottom hose failed to stem the flow of water from the Xantia (I'm thinking the actual plastic has cracked now, given the volume of leakage but I'm too tired & sore to go under and check again.)

That said, it was holding enough wet stuff in there for long enough that we've just completed our first drive round the block. Gearbox seems fine, nice and smooth changes but WOW the back spheres are absolutely flat. How it was driven like that and not stuffed in a hedge I have no idea, there is literally no movement at all just the flex of the tyres! :shock: :rofl2: I mean, the seller said it needed rear spheres but wow... For how much they cost I'm shocked they weren't done ages ago, the car will be lovely to drive once they're changed!

Fortunately the fronts are fine though, but surely 2 spheres can't go flat/rupture in the space of a year? In which case I really have to wonder about the Citroen "specialist" the owner before last used.

So the list prior to MoT is-:
Fix water leak & fill with coolant
recheck all bolts/wiring
replace front discs/pads
replace rear spheres
repair drivers seat height adjuster
maybe change wiper blades
good check over and clean.

Also I will need to either adapt the pump to take the kickdown cable or swap pumps to the original one, seal the headlamps, secure the column switchgear/cases properly, give it a good wash & polish, respray the lower part of the tailgate and possibly fix the sunroof. Happy now I've had a quick "play" in it though...
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
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CitroJim
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by CitroJim »

Excellent progress :D Good news on the gearbox...

Yes, that kickdown arrangement is another good reason to swap pumps... It gives a bit of over-fuelling when actuated ;)

Pumps can be swapped without disturbing the cambelt but you'll need a special puller to release the sprocket.. I can supply details of how to make one...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
ekjdm14
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

OK pump swap is likely then in the near future. Just a quick question on the subject of spheres, as it's a bit of a minefield at the best of times. What spec do I need for the rear corners on a non hydractive diesel hatchback? Also preferred suppliers, or anyone have some decent ones for sale?

I doubt the ones on the car would stand regassing but if anyone local-ish wants to give them a try they're welcome lol
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
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CitroJim
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by CitroJim »

If your are rock-hard then they won't be good for regassing. Most regassers like top see about 15 bars remaining before they will regas. Yours sound totally flat.

As for recommendations, some earlier threads have suggested (IIRC) IFHS spheres as being OK. Else that, have a chat with Pleiades and get some of his regassed ones. He too can advise the best spec. to fit.
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
ekjdm14
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Oh yes, utterly solid! I knew there was a specialist but couldn't think of the name, Pleiades! Cheers Jim, once again :D
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
Hell Razor5543
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have used AEP in the past, and they appear to be very good. The first time I used them there was a slight delay as they asked what my Citroen was, to make sure I had ordered the correct spheres. The date stamped onto the spheres was only a couple of months old. At that time if your order was over £50 the P&P was free.

http://www.aepdirect.com/

I would add your vehicle registration to the order, so that they can check without a delay.
James
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ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by CitroJim »

I've dealt with AEP in the past and like you James, I've found them to be excellent :) I believe they may well supply IFHS spheres.

There is (or used to be) another regasser too.. Westeron up Manchester way I think. My Activa still has a few of his regassed spheres on it and still good 8 years later... He might be more local to you Ekj... That's if he's still going...
Jim

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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by myglaren »

Looks as though Westroen are still active.
They are mentioned fairly regularly and always in a positive way.
ekjdm14
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Brilliant thanks, a good few leads to follow up there. Took the Escort for MoT today, failed on a spot of rust hidden on the offside rear "chassis" leg and a few advisories regarding an inner rod end (and tyres which I know about and plan to replace when the bike is sold)

All in all not too bad, though I'm a bit disappointed by having to get under it and do overhead welding lol just have to work up the willpower to do it in 10 working days and we get a free retest. The garage again proved why I go there, when the proprietor tightened a slightly loose seat mounting bolt I'd missed and allowed me a free rein to fumble under the car to see where else I want to attend to in future. The Xantia will be wending it's merry way to Beardmore motors in Congleton the moment it's watertight, with new discs/pads and the rear suspension does more than just suspend the car at a given height... I'm quietly hopeful on that one, the only rust I could see is a nasty stone chip on the bonnet and the passenger rear door jamb is a bit crusty but not holed.
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by CitroJim »

Sorry to hear about the Escort but at least it's fixable...

All the best with the Xantia MOT, I'm sure it'll be good ;)
Jim

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Zelandeth
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by Zelandeth »

AEP are where I got the IFHS spheres for Jim's Gabriel from, and certainly can't complain on the service or the spheres themselves.
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CitroJim
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Been for a trundle round the block at last! :D

Unread post by CitroJim »

Zelandeth wrote:AEP are where I got the IFHS spheres for Jim's Gabriel from, and certainly can't complain on the service or the spheres themselves.


Yes, as I've said in the past, Gabriel is one of the best riding and comfy Xantias I've ever known ;)
Jim

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ekjdm14
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Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Brake bits, spheres & coolant leak to do before MoT...

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Well today I have discs/pads and one sphere sat in the front room waiting for me (funds went elsewhere at the time, but the other sphere is currently on its way!).

Having dropped the fuel filler pipework out of the Escort and given the chassis leg what for with a knocking stick, an "executive decision" has been made to take it off the road despite the impending summer, and do it properly. I could've patched it through for another season but I don't like patching (as some may have seen with the XM project a while back) so that, coupled with the recently discovered wear to the engine, means I would much rather just bite the bullet now and get the thing stripped/rolled and gone through properly in readiness for another 26 years.

Might take a while, but I want it right & also gives me an excuse to get the Xantia on the road for a good shakedown. So when the chance arises I'll be getting that back on the driveway and attending to the brakes/suspension and finally tracking down that pesky water leak once and for all.
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
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Re: Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Brake bits, spheres & coolant leak to do before MoT...

Unread post by CitroJim »

I think that makes sense to do the Escort properly.. And besides, you'll soon have a nice Xantia to enjoy ;)
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
ekjdm14
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Re: Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Brake bits, spheres & coolant leak to do before MoT...

Unread post by ekjdm14 »

Yep, touching wood that the leak is nothing more serious than a dodgy seal or small crack in the plastic junction. It seems to get worse with the engine running, does that sound like the junction is damaged to you Jim? (goes from a steady drip-drip-drip every second or just under with the engine off, to a gentle but constant stream like it's marking it's territory when started up)

Just swapped the fuel tank strap on the 206 while it was low on juice, took longer to jack & support it than to undo the 2 nuts and replace the thing! That plus change a headlight bulb that blew earlier & a quick game of "musical cars" later and the Xantia is on the drive, set to high and ready for further spanner wielding :)
'95 Xantia LX 1.9D-auto, Black, 118k
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k