Michel's Motors

[mickthemaverick]

In contrast I had two and loved them both, especially the VSX!!

[CitroJim]

In truth, although I tried really hard to like them and for reasons I can't really put my finger on, I never quite 'gelled' with an XM and maybe that is why they no longer figure in my memory.

Nor me Jim, I had 3. Perhaps it's the bony arse that slides around in the massive seats that I have..

That was certainly one of the problems I had Mike! Seats were far too big for me and it felt you could fit two of me on one of them. I used to slide all over the place and could never find that 'comfort sweet-spot'...

Not a car, I concluded, for those of us of smaller stature...

[mickthemaverick]

In contrast I had two and loved them both, especially the VSX!!

Not a car, I concluded, for those of us of smaller stature...

What are you trying to say Jim?

[Michel]

I'm 6ft and 16 stone, with a 46" chest. Small I am not. Bony arse though, and I used to slide about in mine too.

I did enjoy thrashing the TCT estate on the twisties and overtaking boy racers in my mobile house though

[CitroJim]

I'm only just about 9 stone Mike! Half the man you are - almost

By way of coincidence, this came up in my Facebook memories today

12 years ago

[xantia_v6]

One of the best they made, it put up with a lot of long fast trips on the Autoroutes.

[CitroJim]

One of the best they made, it put up with a lot of long fast trips on the Autoroutes.

Indeed Mike, one car I should have kept hold of...

[Michel]

One of the best they made, it put up with a lot of long fast trips on the Autoroutes.

It did a few in my hands too!

[Michel]

The faithful and seemingly indestructible Xsara Picasso HDi, known as "the beige" is finally misbehaving!

Any ideas as to the source of the noise? I reckon crank pulley or timing belt tensioner.

[Michel]

I've been doing some delivery work in my spare time, it's actually quite good fun as it's not my main source of income.

Here's a few pics of the stuff I've spotted on the rounds..

[mickthemaverick]

My guess would be camshaft related rather than crankshaft, so timing belt pulley issue or maybe water pump?

[Michel]

My guess would be camshaft related rather than crankshaft, so timing belt pulley issue or maybe water pump?

I'd be very surprised if it were the camshaft on one of these.

This video seems to be the same noise, same engine.

[mickthemaverick]

Having watched that video I have to agree it could well be the issue you have, but I'd still see if you can confirm it by manual rocking of the crankshaft with a socket before setting to.

[CitroJim]

I've been doing some delivery work in my spare time, it's actually quite good fun as it's not my main source of income.

Here's a few pics of the stuff I've spotted on the rounds..

It's amazing what you see doing that sort of thing Mike; I get to see a good few when out running...

[Michel]

Having watched that video I have to agree it could well be the issue you have, but I'd still see if you can confirm it by manual rocking of the crankshaft with a socket before setting to.

The self-healing beige beast has done it again. You may recall its aircon suddenly started working some time after we'd done extreme fault-finding on it a couple of years ago...

I arranged to take it up to the mechanic this afternoon. I'd sent him the video that I'd posted. I'd had to use it, very gingerly (like it makes a difference!) this morning, so I drove it gingerly up to Swallowfield too.
By the time I got there....

The noise had gone. Totally. He checked it very thoroughly. No witness marks, no belt rub. Levering the pulleys showed them to all be stable and sound. I'm baffled, he was a bit baffled. Can only think something got caught in it or was catching - I have been off-road a few times in it this month, and the undertray has long since gone. Very bizarre, but apart from a noisy air-con compressor, given a clean bill of health.