![[Tyre
tread]](toyo940.gif)
![[0--0]](citroe3.gif)
Since the first Citroen's engine blew up, we quickly found this on the 14th November 1998. It starts like a dream. I have every MOT certificate since being tested.
It's 4 speed automatic, and seems to take it's time changing up, but it changes down nicely for engine braking, rare on automatics. Heated rear windscreen is broke (connection) blower doesn't work, the boot is filthy, the sunroof has been sealed up because it was leaking (though probably due to blocked drainholes), the spheres are in reasonable condition, and two tyres are on 2mm. Although not on the legal minimum, still poor.
Tuesday November 24th 1998. After a few trips to the skip with some old carpet, an offcut from the new in the boot, and time to fix the radio. It's an old 4 channel pull out job. The front channels were duff, as were most of the speakers, adding 1 new speaker and rewiring rear to the front speakers, recabling power, it sounds respectable. I also fiddled around with the blower, a thump and it works, so I undid one on the securing bolts, in the hope that as you're driving along, a jolt will stir it into life.
It's booked in with Al for an oil and filter change, fuel filter and timing belt. The plan is to find a diesel engine to put in the red citroen, either rear end smash or MOT failure, and then sell this one on.
Wednesday 25th November 1998. The M+S tyres came in at the dealer (Thistletwaites 01204 524392 - for my reference!). Toyo 940 All Season. A different tread pattern to the 910's I have, they have more of a concentric channel for water dispersion, not as 'aggressive' as the Semperit tyres I was shown on Saturday, but we'll see how we go. They have left and right designation for each tyre, something I've not seen before. I'll put a photo here of the tread pattern when the photo's are done! The brake pads look a little on the low side, it's in this Friday for service with Al.
Friday November 27th 1998. Al cancelled the service and moved it to the next day. Meggen went to do some Xmas shopping in Wigan, and in the multi story car park, it started to steam. Some kindly bloke put some water in it and told her it'd be OK. About half way home, all the red lights came on, and she stopped. After an abuse filled phone conversation, I rescued her.
Saturday 28th. I set out with lots of water. A Citroen has to be bled through when filling to avoid air locks. Undoing the screw on the top of the radiator and the allen bleed screw on the thermostat housing, it took 3 litres, turned it over and started, and it took another litre. Drove it to Jim's and left a note for Al, who's not quite such an early riser.
Sunday 29th. Picked it up. It has had a new timing belt, oil, and oil filter change, fuel filter, swapped the radiator cap, tightened up the fan belt and hydraulic drive belt. It needs a new oil pressure sender, a new fan belt, work on the dash (lights/indicators etc.). He hadn't tested the water level warning, it could be it over heated due to a low level, as Al had it idling for over half an hour. He reckoned that the front sphere was low or duff, (constant 'clicking') and the rear two were a little flat. Radius arms becoming due after more mileage. Otherwise he said there's not a lot wrong with it. The rattling noise is coming from a vibration in the alternator.
Tuesday 8th December 1998. Had the day off to attend the scan of our baby. I spent part of the morning attending to this car. The red light had stopped flashing, so I fixed it. The radiator cap had been swapped with Al's, but this was loose, I topped it up with about 1 litre of antifreeze, it needs more, and tightened the top. The battery light waits to go out, so the alternator may be lazy. It's still full of oil. The baby was less co-operative, and we have to go back!
Wednesday 23rd December. I finally collected a working blower off Al, and set about swapping them over. It appears it's not the first time this blower has been removed, and on fitting it, the speed control stopped it from working. I disconnected this, so that only full speed works. At least it'll clear the windscreen and warm the car up a little.
March 1999. Someone dinted the door.
April 3rd 1999. Leaking LHM from nearside (passenger) under the back door. Al replaced the pipe on April 7th, and kept it an extra day or two, to fix a few other odds and ends, speedo cable, oil pressure sensor, and of course the dinted door. It needed a kick to get it open. It also had a new alternator belt, and greased the rest of the pipes. Al noted that there was a lot of mud on the underside...
July 1999. MOT, it passed, an engine mount was replaced, and to counter the starting problems, the fuel filter head was replaced. Air was leaking in to the fuel line.
February March 2000. Service. Oil, filter, and fuel filter. New offside upright link, new rear disks, brakes and pipes, all 5 spheres recharged, the ignition lock sorted and a spot of welding on the drivers door. Prior to this a tyre was replaced. Al noted that the rest of the hydraulic pipes will need replacing.
July 2000. MOT. Needed the remaining pipes replacing, and a new wing mirror, and a bulb. Decided to leave the service till a little later as its not really done too many miles. Fuel level indicator on the blink, so resecured the connector.
January 2001. Passenger window needed some attention, it kept sticking. Puncture in one of the rear tyres, slow puncture. Unfortunately it was one of the new ones and could not be safely repaired, so it was replaced.
Feel free to drop an 'I told you so' to email nic