I drove round for a couple of weeks with the locking key stuck on the wheel nut on the 307.....
I also found a long lost screwdriver hiding on the front crossmember under the fan cowling on our twinpot Visa - when I stripped the front off after bending it. See, there was reason behind my (17 year old!) madness!!
Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia, pug 206HDi, Daniel's 206 Verve 1.4i, GTi180 plus XUD9TE 206!!
-
Online
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 11687
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
- x 1225
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Still loving it :D
RichardW wrote: I also found a long lost screwdriver hiding on the front crossmember under the fan cowling on our twinpot Visa - when I stripped the front off after bending it. See, there was reason behind my (17 year old!) madness!!



Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- (Donor 2020)
- Posts: 1878
- Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 18:42
- x 222
Re: Black Xantia NA Diesel auto... Still loving it :D
Amazing what turns up when you least expect it lol... Just got to hope the 206 hasn't spat out my Stanley knife from somewhere round the subframe/undertray area where it dropped a few weeks ago! Guess I'll find out soon enough as there's a service and wishbones coming up on that 
Rain today, typical since I removed the "silly spring" last night so now I'm getting used to the proper brake feel with no ABS, on budget tyres, in an automatic and on freshly wet roads that have been dry for ages...
Couldn't really carry on as it was though, the spring does make the pedal feel more like a normal car, just one that's got a load of air in the brakes.
And it's not a proper Citroen if the brake pedal moves 

Rain today, typical since I removed the "silly spring" last night so now I'm getting used to the proper brake feel with no ABS, on budget tyres, in an automatic and on freshly wet roads that have been dry for ages...

Couldn't really carry on as it was though, the spring does make the pedal feel more like a normal car, just one that's got a load of air in the brakes.


'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
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Yes, that spring makes one heck of a difference I find... It's been a mandatory mod on all my Xantias...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- (Donor 2020)
- Posts: 1878
- Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 18:42
- x 222
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Indeed it does, I thought there was something not quite right compared to the XM but only really looked into it now we're using the car enough for it to matter. I guess when the Escort is back on the road though it'll be a scarefest until we adjust to those stoppers...
Here is a clue to my weekend task if rain prevents any outside work...
Thanks for the guide on this one Jim
Here is a clue to my weekend task if rain prevents any outside work...

'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
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Oh yes, that's a good job to do... Having any lights out on the dash irritates me immensely 
It was one of the very early jobs did on Gabriel... She was definitely dark in the dash department!
As yours is a S1 you'll need to additionally remove the steering wheel which is bloody annoying... Just be careful to carefully align the rotary coupling for the radio controls... They are like hen's teeth now...

It was one of the very early jobs did on Gabriel... She was definitely dark in the dash department!
As yours is a S1 you'll need to additionally remove the steering wheel which is bloody annoying... Just be careful to carefully align the rotary coupling for the radio controls... They are like hen's teeth now...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- (Donor 2020)
- Posts: 1878
- Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 18:42
- x 222
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Yes, I've already had the 'wheel off earlier in the week to attend to the loose stalks & column cases. not a huge pain to remove again but as you rightly say, those ribbon cables & clockspring will be treated again with kid gloves... Shame the only Xant I know of in a scrappy is an S2 or I'd grab spares!
Currently the only light in the dash I'm aware of that's actually blown is the sidelamp telltale, but the fag lighter and gear selector need doing if only to have them working (I don't need them but, like you, it irks me to know they should light up and don't) I'm sure there'll be others I've not noticed as yet with the light nights. Plus there's peace of mind knowing they're all new. And the Perspex screen of the instrument binnacle is slightly cracked so may attempt to replace that if the S2 has the same part. (I know the instrument cluster is different but hoping the screen part will fit). Oh, and any leftover bulbs may go in the Escort heater panel if they turn out to be the same
Also, if the S2 "glass" does do the job I may look into adding an actual oil gauge seeing as all the sensors are present on the engine. Would it be as simple as fitting the gauge to the existing cluster seeing as the sender & wiring all appear to be present?
Currently the only light in the dash I'm aware of that's actually blown is the sidelamp telltale, but the fag lighter and gear selector need doing if only to have them working (I don't need them but, like you, it irks me to know they should light up and don't) I'm sure there'll be others I've not noticed as yet with the light nights. Plus there's peace of mind knowing they're all new. And the Perspex screen of the instrument binnacle is slightly cracked so may attempt to replace that if the S2 has the same part. (I know the instrument cluster is different but hoping the screen part will fit). Oh, and any leftover bulbs may go in the Escort heater panel if they turn out to be the same
Also, if the S2 "glass" does do the job I may look into adding an actual oil gauge seeing as all the sensors are present on the engine. Would it be as simple as fitting the gauge to the existing cluster seeing as the sender & wiring all appear to be present?
'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
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
The S2 glass will be the same but not the instruments themselves - they are totally different even though they look similar
You'll need the instruments from a high-spec. S1 for the oil gauge and then it should just drop in and work...
You may too be able to swap the tacho and then have an outside temperature display if you fit the sensor to the nearside mirror and the wiring for it all is present...

You may too be able to swap the tacho and then have an outside temperature display if you fit the sensor to the nearside mirror and the wiring for it all is present...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- (Donor 2020)
- Posts: 1878
- Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 18:42
- x 222
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Ah, shame about the gauge. Even though I class it as a gimmick it'd be nice to fill a blank in the binnacle with something. Not looking like making it to the yard today anyway but maybe tomorrow if the guy is about 
For now I've replaced the accumulator sphere as that arrived earlier courtesy of GSF, sadly damaged courtesy of Parcelforce (it had been dropped from height as the thread was distorted! Also the seal had gone AWOL from the damaged package.)
Thankfully I was able to reshape it enough that it fitted and isn't leaking at the moment, but in the meantime good ol' GSF have refunded me in full so I can replace it should it fail in the near future. (if not I shall purchase an antisink from them with the money, then it's got new all round
)I'm glad I did manage though since the cause of 5-second ticks was actually one more utterly dead/ruptured sphere, shows how healthy the system is in general though that it was on that long of a gap. Since fitting the new one I can barely hear any tick over the engine idling and so far have a rough estimate well north of 4 minutes 

For now I've replaced the accumulator sphere as that arrived earlier courtesy of GSF, sadly damaged courtesy of Parcelforce (it had been dropped from height as the thread was distorted! Also the seal had gone AWOL from the damaged package.)
Thankfully I was able to reshape it enough that it fitted and isn't leaking at the moment, but in the meantime good ol' GSF have refunded me in full so I can replace it should it fail in the near future. (if not I shall purchase an antisink from them with the money, then it's got new all round


'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
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
-
- Posts: 3745
- Joined: 13 May 2007, 02:17
- x 287
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Is T5 the bulb type? I thought they were 232s.
I'd hate for you to get the dash out and find they didn't fit.
I'd hate for you to get the dash out and find they didn't fit.
-
- (Donor 2025)
- Posts: 1205
- Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
- x 19
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
If I do ever strip my Xantia VSX for bits I'll let you know, with it being a VSX spec it has the oil temperature gauge which I love.
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
I've seen spheres damaged on the threads in the past... Easy to do if dropped too...
Such damaged spheres can wreck rear cylinders, being made of light alloy so beware...
Such damaged spheres can wreck rear cylinders, being made of light alloy so beware...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- (Donor 2020)
- Posts: 1878
- Joined: 19 Jan 2015, 18:42
- x 222
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
Why's that one dying Dommo? rust?
Shame if it's not saveable but yes the oil gauge and the airbag/wheel/clockspring unit would be of interest if you do decide to strip it.
Jim, all the other spheres have arrived boxed & with a plastic thread protector fitted and were in perfect condition, but this one was just in an air bubble envelope loose. whether it did start off with a cap or seal I suppose is debatable as the package was ripped too, but I think the damage was as a result of it missing that end cap mainly. The thread did clean up nicely in the end and screwed in properly but will just keep a close eye on it having been forced to reuse the seal (which looked perfect, but...)
Typical Parcelforce in my experience, not as bad as DHL on strange "delivery" techniques but one of the worst for damaging stuff...
Anyway, last night was our first experience driving the Xantia in the dark and I have to say the headlights are on a par with the ZX when it comes to "glow worm in a jar"-inosity!!!
not so good then, but liveable until the winter months so there's some relays going to be added and new bulbs too when I get a chance. Nightbreakers maybe?
Less dull on the night was the instrument illumination, which appears to be all OK apart from one bulb! maybe the cracked glass and loose stalks are evidence of the bulbs being replaced by the specialist that did the gearbox oil etc.
I do think the bulbs are right though, T5 286 capless are what I've read. In any case they'll do for the gear selector which is dark and is 100% 286. Sadly I doubt they'd do much for the heater panel which has zero illumination but I may just swap all the panel bulbs anyway since I have no idea if a decent brand was used by whoever may have replaced them.

Jim, all the other spheres have arrived boxed & with a plastic thread protector fitted and were in perfect condition, but this one was just in an air bubble envelope loose. whether it did start off with a cap or seal I suppose is debatable as the package was ripped too, but I think the damage was as a result of it missing that end cap mainly. The thread did clean up nicely in the end and screwed in properly but will just keep a close eye on it having been forced to reuse the seal (which looked perfect, but...)
Typical Parcelforce in my experience, not as bad as DHL on strange "delivery" techniques but one of the worst for damaging stuff...
Anyway, last night was our first experience driving the Xantia in the dark and I have to say the headlights are on a par with the ZX when it comes to "glow worm in a jar"-inosity!!!

Less dull on the night was the instrument illumination, which appears to be all OK apart from one bulb! maybe the cracked glass and loose stalks are evidence of the bulbs being replaced by the specialist that did the gearbox oil etc.
I do think the bulbs are right though, T5 286 capless are what I've read. In any case they'll do for the gear selector which is dark and is 100% 286. Sadly I doubt they'd do much for the heater panel which has zero illumination but I may just swap all the panel bulbs anyway since I have no idea if a decent brand was used by whoever may have replaced them.

'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
'97 306 XS 1.6i, Blaze Yellow, 24k
'96 ZX SX 1.9TD, White, 87k
'09 407SW 2.0HDi, Black, 120k
-
- A very naughty boy
- Posts: 52130
- Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
- x 7017
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
One good way to improve the lights is to carry out the 'relay mod' where the lights are fed straight from the battery via relays and the headlight earths are beefed up...
You'd be shocked at how much voltage is dropped betwixt battery and bulb when it has gone via the light and dip switches!
Do the mod and they're then tolerable, especially if bulbs like Osram Nightbreakers are used...
Bulbs are 286 capless wedge types for the dash and gear selector but not for the heater panel. They look similar but are much stubbier... 286 bulbs are too long and catch on the internal mechanism...
I can advise the correct ones if needed...
You'd be shocked at how much voltage is dropped betwixt battery and bulb when it has gone via the light and dip switches!
Do the mod and they're then tolerable, especially if bulbs like Osram Nightbreakers are used...
Bulbs are 286 capless wedge types for the dash and gear selector but not for the heater panel. They look similar but are much stubbier... 286 bulbs are too long and catch on the internal mechanism...
I can advise the correct ones if needed...
Jim
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
-
- Posts: 3745
- Joined: 13 May 2007, 02:17
- x 287
Re: Tales from beyond the grave AKA Dan & Emma's Black Xantia D-auto... & a 206
286 that's it, I was thrown off by the T5 bit.