c16rkc's mad house

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 3619
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 1729

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

Armidillo wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 23:46
Suspect other prospective buyers are thinking
1) How will I get it home (how big is it, how heavy is it)?
2) Can I spare the space in the garage for something that big that realistically won't get used very often?
3) Is it happy with normal domestic power, or does it need something special (415V, 3 phase etc.)?
4) Is it safe, or could it kill me :lol: ?
All good points really!
1 very heavy. Is a floor mounted job so guess about 5 foot tall or so, chunky steel. Would have to lay it flat in my big trailer (which would leave that gauge vulnerable, which would need to be removed, which would leave a rout for the oil to exit, which would need a solution. Hmmm)
2 good point, my garage is already full!
3 manually powered - pump just about visible here:
Screenshot_20231130-061629-270.png
4 date stamp 1989, never exploded since then! I worry less about hydraulic stuff Vs pneumatic as the energy dissipates very quickly (as the oil is effectively incompressible) is the compressed air stuff that's more exploding worries! :-D
User avatar
c16rkc
Donor 2023
Posts: 357
Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
x 98

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

MattBLancs wrote: 29 Nov 2023, 21:50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134717964137?

Just a comparative, new cheap tat alternative, £146, claimed 20 Ton capacity.

Image
Hope whoever did the calcs for the capacity was paid more than the translator! :rofl2:
The thing that made me chuckle was the advert says "Delivery in time for Christmas" :lol:

It makes me happy to think somewhere, someone's wife is thinking "my husband will love this" and ordering him a hydraulic press instead of going to Next and buying him more socks and boxers :mrgreen:
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 3619
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 1729

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

c16rkc wrote: 01 Dec 2023, 10:16
The thing that made me chuckle was the advert says "Delivery in time for Christmas" :lol:

It makes me happy to think somewhere, someone's wife is thinking "my husband will love this" and ordering him a hydraulic press instead of going to Next and buying him more socks and boxers :mrgreen:
Oh yes, that's basically the ideal for me! :)
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 52130
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
x 7017

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by CitroJim »

I'd rather have a bottle jack for Christmas than socks :)
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
mickthemaverick
Donor 2024
Posts: 15475
Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
x 6624

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by mickthemaverick »

I'd rather have a bottle too Jim, and his name is Matt :-D
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
User avatar
c16rkc
Donor 2023
Posts: 357
Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
x 98

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

I have to confess I have no idea what my wife usually buys me... :oops:

I would imagine it's often socks... :lol:
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 3619
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 1729

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

mickthemaverick wrote: 01 Dec 2023, 10:56 I'd rather have a bottle too Jim, and his name is Matt :-D
I've heard of a bottle of Jack but...
81MOJbHX8vL._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_.jpg
User avatar
c16rkc
Donor 2023
Posts: 357
Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
x 98

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

I'd rather have the one on Ebay...
User avatar
c16rkc
Donor 2023
Posts: 357
Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
x 98

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

Happy new year to all

My apologies that I disappeared in December, I hope everyone had a good Christmas. My work went barmy in December, and I ended up working away from home at one point, I ended up with little time to partake in those little indulgences I enjoy, such as posting on the forum :lol:

For that reason not much car related stuff happened in December, so nothing interesting has really been missed. Aston did make a rather funny Shepard in his nativity, which brought back memories when I had to do that as a kid... :roll:
20231212_143638.jpg
(I had to crop this image, as you are not allowed to post pictures online if they include other kids; I am guessing this is just in case Gary Glitter frequents the French car forum, and has a taste for Shepards.

Christmas was great, and the boys had about a hundred million presents to unwrap... kids are so spoilt these days! :roll:

But it was nice to see them playing nicely from time to time...
20231225_084623.jpg
That Citroen!

It was the 27th December before I got any time to look at the C5, which had been feeling sorry for itself all December, and had not turned a wheel.

The battery had gone flat over the course of a few weeks, so I had to charge it first...
20231227_105018.jpg
20231227_105028.jpg
First order of the day was to replace that fuel filter. For those who do not know, its east to find... its this kiddy:
20231227_110952.jpg
20231227_110957.jpg
This video gave me a nice idea of what to do.



There is a nice drain pipe underneath, which I fed into a coke bottle, that I left down in the engine bay, sitting on the undertray.
20231227_111145.jpg
The new filter comes with accessories to cap off the pipes while you work.
20231227_112027(0).jpg
I drained the fuel out, then released the filter (27mm socket).
20231227_114043.jpg
This is what the filter looked like.
20231227_114030.jpg
I have no idea if this is bad or not......

But... I primed the filter, started the car, reset the codes, and gave the C5 a drive - problem solved!! The car no longer hesitates, it accelerates perfectly, and the engine management light stays off :-D

I cleaned the MAF sensor for good measure, but did not take any photos... :roll:

I decided to check the Air filter, as I had not done that yet, and was not sure if they changed it at the garage when the did my service and CAM belt... safe to say they didn't :shock:
20231227_155953.jpg
20231227_155958.jpg
20231227_173255.jpg
20231227_160009.jpg
20231227_160017.jpg
There's probably a few thousand more miles of life in that filter... :lol: but I decided to change it anyway... I cleaned the filter housing thoroughly too, as I did not think all that dust, and the dead moth, would help the performance of the engine.

As the rather old looking battery had gone flat over December, I decided to treat the C5 to a spanking new one... :lol:
20231227_171222.jpg
So that's a spanky new Air filter and battery replaced... and the C5 is running rather nicely.

The car went in for it's MOT at the start of January, and it also had a gearbox oil change (I noticed they did the little 3ltr version rather than a 6ltr flush).

The car needed a bottom ball joint, and I kicked myself as I have one of these and was going to do it this year; and got charged £50+fitting for one by the garage.

Oddly they said the wheel bearing was OK, but the rear handbrake caliper was getting stuck, so I have an exchange one on there too. All in for the MOT, exchange rear caliper, gearbox oil change, and driver lower ball joint, the cost was about £500, which was less that I expected.

So thats us up to date.... I am enjoying the Citroen C5 again!
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 52130
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
x 7017

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by CitroJim »

Great to see you back Chris :D I fully appreciate the issue with photos. I have the same with photos taken at Junior parkrun. One method is to cover the child's face with a smiling emoji - other emojis are available to suit the mood the child might be in at the time ;)

Both those filters look very manky! Definitely ready to be changed...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 3619
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 1729

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

Welcome back Chris, following similar lines to your smart shepherd, it turned out I'd I've raised a lovely Donkey :-D

Wow that air filter is awful! Did it drop to pieces on removal or do you think was falling apart in position? (Luck the turbo hasn't had chance to chew on lumps of it - though air flow meter often has a flue straightening grid that might save the day?)

Your fuel filter is a bit easier to get at than on my 2.2! It's same rough position , but mounted in a big chunky steel box/cage and I've no idea why! Filter itself is not very heavy and yet the filter plastic housing (as it's not just the element like yours either) is on 3x M8 bolts! Very odd.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 52130
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
x 7017

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by CitroJim »

MattBLancs wrote: 18 Jan 2024, 22:22 is on 3x M8 bolts! Very odd.
They had a big load surplus and were looking for somewhere to use them up!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
c16rkc
Donor 2023
Posts: 357
Joined: 31 Aug 2023, 12:38
x 98

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by c16rkc »

A (not so) quick update...

I have to apologise it's been such a long time since I posted an update - but I have no good excuses... I have just been so busy working and trying to spend as much time as I can with the family. The other thing is that the cars have up until very recently been very well behaved, so there has been little to post on the car front.

So... I certainly need to post an update :-D

Back to normality

So with the C5 running smoothly, and Lindsey's DS5 running smoothly too, life moved away from cars and back to the normal things in life (well normal when you have kids...)

In February we said goodbye to the C3, and I was actually quite tearful. They boys affectionately called it the bean car and Aston was very sad when we said it was going.

The saddest thing is that it will probably be torn apart for spares...

Image

Aston had a "book day" in March and went to School as Robin Hood, or Peter Pan or something like that.... I should really listen to my wife more.... :oops:

Image

Easter egg hunt in the garden for my growing monsters...

Image

But best of all, we managed to move on from my failed property venture, and my stress levels returned to something approaching normal.

I started saving like crazy to pay things off, and then in March I told Lindsey I had enough put aside that we could perhaps go on a little holiday. I was thinking a little trip; a few days in Bath or something...

Lindsey completely misunderstood. We went to Tunisia for 2 weeks in April :? :shock:

Packed the car!

Image

Stopped for a drink on the way, I could not resist taking this as I think it shows how barmy the world is.... Cold coffee and hot milkshake... eh?

Image

Then we arrived at the Tunisian Airport after Spencer's first flight ever!

...and we had a great time!

Image

Image
Image

Spencer got used to having Cake for breakfast fast!

Image

It was an amazing trip, some incredible memories... worth every single last penny.

The DS5 decides to come over all emotional

In May we visited something called "Truck fest"

Image
Image

We had a great time, but the real reason I mention this was because I drove in Lindsey's car, and I noticed the gearbox doing something odd. When you first engaged "drive" the car shuddered as you lifted your foot off the brake, almost as though the gear did not engage until your foot had almost completely left the pedal. But if you left the car in drive, you could come to a complete stop and pull away absolutely fine.... it was very odd.

The work involved was certainly way, way out of my comfort zone... and to my surprise every garage I spoke to did not want to touch it either, because it was gearbox related. I was told each time to speak to a gearbox specialist.

Image

I booked the car in to a gearbox specialist, and we awaited the verdict.

Spencer learn the love of guns from a family friend... oh dear...

Image

When the garage came back to me with their verdict, it was not good. They said the gearbox needs a rebuild to the tune of at least £2,500, or if its not repairable, possibly up to £4,000 (including fitting) for a replacement one!

So... that was that then. The Citroen DS5 dropped in value dramatically over night!... I smell sabotage by my crafty wife, so she could have a new car, but she denies it of course! :lol:

Lindsey started car shopping, I was thinking Toyota, Ford, Vauxhall... granted we agreed a petrol hybrid might suit Lindsey best, as she does very little miles now since starting a job down the road at our kid's school.

But, what she chose completely caught me off guard.

We looked at it, test drove it, she loved it, and we picked it up at the start of June.

So this was the "sensible" hybrid that Lindsey found!... this COMPLETELY emptied my bank account... again!

Image
Image


I had never actually seen one of these on the road, and I confess it is awesome. A V6 engine paired with an electric motor - it takes your breath away when you put the pedal down. The specification inside is incredible, but I'll get to that in a future post.

In stunning condition inside and out, and with an impeccable service history, in the end I could not find a reason to say no. It rides like a Rolls Royce, and the sound from the engine is incredible.

But I would never have in a million years even considered one of these had Lindsey not pointed it out. The luckiest thing is there is a garage just the other side of our town that services Infiniti cars.

So that's Lindsey back in a posh car... :shock:

I pray it does not go wrong, as I am not sure I'll dare venture into the engine bay of a Japanese Hybrid!! :lol:

I really have no idea what I'll be doing with the DS5... for the moment it's parked on our drive out of the way.

A "proper" car :lol: :lol:

So with all these shenanigans and Lindsey giving herself an upgrade, it was high time I did some work on the "proper" car in the household.

My last investigations on the CL500, using the YouCANIC scanner I purchased, suggested that the rear valve block needed looking at. I did not relish removing it, because it meant jacking up the car and accessing lots of difficult bolts, which is not a 2 minute job, but a few weeks ago, on Saturday 8th June, I managed to get a bit of time to look at it.

I jacked the CL up to I could remove the block.

Image

All those hydraulic connections had to be released and all those awkward screws had to come off, to release the block. Then out it came!

Image

Image

My brother in law Adrian had fitted this one, and I was a bit shocked to see he had cross threaded this... naughty naughty...

Image

It was stiff as you like, I could not understand why until I got it off. How on earth he did not realise he had cross threaded this I will never know... :o

While I dismantled the Mercedes, Aston borrowed some of my tools and dismantled Spencer's bike... I was not sure whether to be annoyed or impressed!!? :lol:

Image

I went over the valve block, and found one valve that did not seem to be seated in properly. I took it apart and put it back together. Then I refitted it to the car, and refitted the valve block.

But then I realised the battery was flat... so I put it on charge.

The next day I bounded out to the garage to give it a try!

I started the car, and...

The car rose up! :mrgreen:

Image

But now the suspension pressure dropped like a stone - the pump had stolen all the fluid from the header tank, and ran it dry!

I put in more fluid, and restarted the car, by pressurising the header tank with my breath (blowing into it) I got the pump bled through again, and slowly got things working again. The pressure settled on a healthy 193 bar. This is absolutely perfect!

I could raise the car all the way to it's highest setting:

Image

The Spencer and Aston joined me in the car, and we took it out of the garage for the first time in over 2 years!!

Image#

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


This was a high I have not felt in ages! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

The garage certainly looked bare without it... and I have some cleaning of fluids to do...

Image

Spencer has already tried to claim the CL as his own, but I'm having none of that!

Image

Image

Image


We tucked the CL back in the garage, and I cleared the ABC codes. I am pleased to see thet stayed off...

Image

But if you look behind Spencer, you will see there is a trail of Hydraulic fluid, and there seems to be a leak from the pressure sensor location.

Image

I tightened up all the connections there, and one did move a little. I cleaned all the oil up so I can check later and see if it leaks.

I also resoldered the "hack" I did at the sensor, and heatshrinked it back up.

Image

So that was me with a CL that moves again!! - I just needed to do the other 20,000,000 things that needed doing on it! :rofl2:

Getting deeper out of my comfort zone!

So with the suspension sorted (I think) I turned to the next bottle neck. When the car ran, there would be a burnt oil smell from the engine bay, and small puffs of smoke would rise either side of the engine.

This is a common fault on M112 and M113 Mercedes engines, and the likely cause is the valve cover gasket failing. Oil seeps out, and drips down to the exhaust manifold, then when the exhaust heats up it burns the oil.

I have watched a tonne of Youtube videos on changing these gaskets, and last Saturday was my time to do mine! I have never opened up an engine before, but I was feeling adventurous, and why get a garage to do it and charge me hundreds maybe even over a thousand pounds, when I can do it for the price of a gasket and some minor materials... and a day or two of my time :lol:

First I removed the engine covers, and air box. I was shocked at how pitted and corroded the engine looks... :(

Image

These bits are very pitted!

Image

It certainly is a tired old engine...

Image

Image


I removed the coil packs...

Image

The gently with a rubber hammer I loosened and removed the secondary valve cover.

Image

Image

Needs a clean for sure.

Image

Then I removed the main valve cover.

Image

I spent the rest of the day cleaning, and then a lot of yesterday too.

Image

Image


Then I cleaned both parts up with alcohol and a microfibre cloth.

Image

I used Mercedes liquid gasket to refit the secondary cover to the main cover.

Image

Then I put the gasket in place and refitted the main cover.

Image

What a pain in the backside the gasket was, it was not the right shape and kept popping out. Next time I will go for a genuine Mercedes gasket hoping it's a better fit!

So that was one side ever so nearly done!

Image

Stolen time on Friday afternoon

On Friday afternoon, when I arrived home at 3:30ish, I found myself in an empty house... Lindsey and the kids were still out!

Yes sure I had my office shoes, light blue shirt and smart trousers on... but was that going stop me going in the garage and picking up oil covered engine parts...? :roll: :lol:

Nope - not at all.... :rofl2:

First of all I rolled my shirt sleeves up, because of course that would prevent any oil getting on my nice clean shirt :mrgreen:

I started with some "clean" activities, first I assembled the new valve cover pipes, in preparation for fitting my new mass airflow sensor.

Image

Then I fitted the thicker lower pipe; the black one you can see connecting to the valve cover on the left. As my hands went into the bowels of the engine bay I may have got a smidgen of dirt on my clean shirt... :roll:

Image

Next I fitted the new upper pipes in place.

Image

Then lastly my brand new Bosch mass airflow sensor... the white cover will keep dirt out until I fit the airbox.

Image

So that was all the airway/breather pipework back in place (on the left side of the engine). I also gave the valve cover a good clean at this point, but it still looks awful... I guess it's too stained from years of muck and oil....

Image

Then I refitted the coil packs.

Image

Gave the coil packs a jolly good clean!

Image

Cleaned the oil filler cap...

Image

So that was everything I could do on the engine until I remove the right hand side valve covers and reseal them in the same way as I have done on the left side.

So now I turned to the air box. I have brand new air filters to fit, so I decided I could do that too.

Mucky airbox/cover...

Image

A quick spruce up.

Image

Then I removed the air filters, but to my surprise they look brand new! So I will keep my new ones aside and leave these ones in.

Image

So that's a nice clean airbox, dressed in plastic restorer, and I put that aside for when I have finished the rest of the engine valve covers.

Image

Then Lindsey, Aston, and Spencer returned and we had a nice Chinese dinner.... :mrgreen:

Best of all I did not spot even a spec of dirty on my light blue office shirt, and how wonderful to get a bit of unexpected work done on the CL! :-D

The other side

I never thought I'd get time to do the other side of the engine this weekend, but yesterday Lindsey and Spencer were both feeling tired and unmotivated, and so Aston and me went outside to get some stuff done. I cut the grass and did a bit of tidying, then I decided it was time to plough on with the Mercedes.

First cracked off the secondary valve cover by (gently) whacking it in every possible direction with the rubber hammer then dislodging carefully with help from a block of wood.

Image

Image

Image


Then I noticed these two oil runs on the exhaust manifold, it seems pretty obvious where the oil leaks are :?

Image

Then it was off with the main valve cover, and I was dismayed to see the whitened oil in a couple of places... I hope that's just condensation from the engine sitting for a couple of years... :shock:

Image

So I'll have to keep an eye on that - I cleaned all this off, and I'll be doing an oil/filter change when the car is back up and running.

There is something really cool about the engine being open :cool: - or at least to me there is... it's perhaps because I never in a million years thought I'd ever have the confidence to do stuff like this. The internet really is a wonderful thing :-D

Image

Image


Thats both parts off, ready for cleaning. These covers from the drivers side were MUCH MUCH dirtier than the passenger side; I wonder if that's because the gasket was leaking?

Incidentally, I only clean one at a time, so make sure I do not crash the two pieces when washing - so the smaller part came straight back out of the tub after this photo.

Image

Image

Image

Image


Started cleaning... Meguiars super degreaser and very hot water.

Image

So then I got carried away and forgot to take any more photos... but I did the same as the other cover - cleaned both parts as much as I could, re-sealed the secondary cover to the primary cover, then fitted the new gasket, and then fitted the valve cover back on.

I then refitted all of the coil packs, and then removed the mass airflow sensor cover - before fitting the airbox.

Image

I've been saving these lovely new air pipes for nearly two years :lol:

They are only cheap pattern parts, but I did not see the sense on buying Genuine Mercedes parts as all they do is direct the air into the air box, and even the originals do not seal very well. On inspection these seemed to be absolutely identical to the originals - so I am pleased with my decision.

Image

...and they look great, it's just a shame about the engine cover scratches - but people don't tend to treat engine covers very well. I once visited a very popular garage in my local town, and was lucky enough to be walked into the workshop so they could show me an issue. I was shocked to see my engine cover sat on someone else's car bonnet... it is shocking what some garages do. That owner probably always wondered where the scratches came from... :roll:

I have not started the car yet, that can wait until the secondary valve cover sealant has dried. I am thinking it can wait until next weekend.

Image

So that brings us back up to date.... phew.

Anyone who read all that... I salute your dedication - if you just looked at all the pictures... well done that's exactly what I'd have done too :rofl2:
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 26795
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 14:30
x 5187

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by myglaren »

20240527-171536.jpg
Is that a spud gun?

If so then this may amuse you

A bit of preamble before it gets to it though.
User avatar
MattBLancs
Donor 2024
Posts: 3619
Joined: 25 Apr 2022, 09:03
x 1729

Re: c16rkc's mad house

Unread post by MattBLancs »

Excellent update! "No proper excuse" then mention busy with family life, etc, that's a decent excuse in my book!

Interior of those breather box rocker covers look pretty grim, I'd feel happier having cleaned those up like you have, even better to cure the drip at same time!

Paraffin, diesel, petrol, all quite good at cutting into grime like that, as is white spirit to be honest, and cheap. Hand wire brush also good in combination with one of the solvents to agitate the stuff.

Bad news on the DS5. Know little about Infiniti beyond "akin to Lexus - Toyota for Nissan"
Given the link between Renault and Nissan, maybe there's a hint of French DNA in there! :)