Le bus oignon - Xantia of many Autoshiters - GYPSY CURSE

[The Moog]

how would that effect the insurance? would they refuse to pay if it was disconnected?

 

I do think the rear numberplate is letting it down now that it is all shiny and white

[Richard]

I imagine they would, but I don't think my Xantia was worth enough to claim on if it got stolen.

[vulgalour]

@Richard:  They could argue your insurance is invalid as you've disabled the security device and not told them.  Then you're in deep doodoo.

 

@The Moog: New plates are definitely on the list, the front one is starting to delaminate in a way that makes it look like the protective film is still on it, but it isn't.

[MrDuke]

@Richard:  They could argue your insurance is invalid as you've disabled the security device and not told them.  Then you're in deep doodoo.

 

 

In that case, keep the keypad in the glovebox, and if you have a massive crash you can use your last reserves of energy while trapped in the burning wreckage to re-attach it, rejoicing in the fact that you've screwed your insurance company in an extremely small way. As last thoughts go, it's really not a bad one.

[Bucketeer]

It's looking like a different car already.

You're often disparaging about your own efforts on the fleet, but your eldow grease expenditure shames many and is evident once more with the sparkly Xantia.

Between this and the equally shiny white 240 Estate that Spiny Norman is selling, my white car hatred is rapidly evaporating.

[robinmasters]

This, I'm pretty sure later models came with a tray that slots straight in. If you do take the keypad out, do NOT throw it away, as the immobiliser will reset if the battery is disconnected.

 

Can you just plug it back in, enter the code, start the car, then unplug it again?

[Pillock]

That's a very good looking estate car ( a bit of a rarity IMHO) and the wheels are fantastic!

[MrDuke]

Can you just plug it back in, enter the code, start the car, then unplug it again?

 

Yes, it's that simple.

[beko1987]

I'm with you volksy I like keypads!

 

I reckon its strippable to replace the button, its an old Citroen!

[M'coli]

Thing is, when was the last time you looked at the stalks and steering wheel in your car?  I bet a fair few people have stalks like this.

 

 

Yes, I do, why?

 

 

In under a minute with a solution of soapy water and a 9p value toothbrush you can have them looking nice again.

That's a minute of my life I'll never get back...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

If you have an accident, thats nowt to do with the keypad is it... no insurance company is going to refuse to pay out because the keypad wasnt there, thats like refusing to pay out because the glovebox catch was broken or because you were listeneing to 'Steps' and wearing a fluffy hat at the time of the accident. As for theft, it might not have been wise to sack of the immobiliser on a brand new Xantia but have any Xantias been stolen in the last few years? I doubt it TBH. If one was miraculously stolen I cannot see how it could ever be worth claiming for it anyway. ergo = no problem.

[MrDuke]

If your policy is based on your car having the factory immobiliser, and the accident assessor can see it's been either removed or tampered with, they could then claim the policy was invalid and refuse to play ball. Not sure if you could actually then be prosecuted for not having insurance, though.

[beko1987]

The xm is protected by a 'factory immobiliser'

 

They may go looking for it, just don't crash!

 

I'm a pro keypad person anyway. Just make it 6666 or something. The ZXs keypad was 2222 its whole life and had worn considerably on that button. I changed it to 0954 and regretted it as the buttons are far apart.

[Pillock]

As I understand it, insurance companies can refuse to pay out if you've told porkies at some point, however you can't be done for no insurance. Even if your porkies are so severe that they cancel the policy, until the point they cancel it you have got insurance which would have been in force at the time of the incident that's caused them to investigate. They are more likely to just refuse to pay out at all, but a car of that age is probably worth less than the excess so who cares.

[crapcarcollector]

If your policy is based on your car having the factory immobiliser, and the accident assessor can see it's been either removed or tampered with, they could then claim the policy was invalid and refuse to play ball. Not sure if you could actually then be prosecuted for not having insurance, though.

For an accident? The assessor won't care. For theft? They've got to find it unburnt out first. And who steals a Xantia anyway?

 

The mouth breathers just think everything has an immobilizer anyway, break into your house, rob your telly, get yer keys and fuck off in it anyway. If they are going to that much trouble then why not rob something, well, less shite.

 

 

Sent from my Nokia 3310 using the force.

[MrDuke]

On a more humourous note - why exactly did they put a grab handle on the dashboard? I checked in the handbook, and they actually refer to it as that. Is it so passengers can brace for impact better? Or were they expecting the Xantia to be a popular choice for amateur rally drivers? Personally, I found it great for wedging larger items behind.

[Richard]

The proper name for it is a "Jesus Christ handle". SAAB used to fit them too. In the Xantia it might have been to help keep the passenger in place in Activa models with leather seats.

[vulgalour]

I would have preferred a glove box I could put more than just a single pair of gloves in to the grab handle affair.  What a silly idea.

[jonathan_dyane]

£250 is a bloody good price on a Xantia clutch. When the clutch went on my dog rough ex minicab Xant about 5 years ago I couldn't face doing it but the best price I could get was nearer £400. That car's next journey was over the bridge...

[MrDuke]

I would have preferred a glove box I could put more than just a single pair of gloves in to the grab handle affair.  What a silly idea.

 

 

"Zeese Eengleesh, we give zem ze "glerve box" for zere glerves, and still eet ees not good enerf. Sacre!"

[Rusty_Rocket]

The facelift dash in the Pug 205 had a grab handle. I can confirm it came in very useful when my pal used to do his best Colin Mcrae impression in his 1.9 GTi 

[vulgalour]

The Council are currently re-roofing the houses on our street and parking is, as a result, a nightmare.  There is a skip in my usual spot and for once it doesn't belong to me.  I'm impressed that my Sheffield-learned parallel parking skills are still good, particularly since I don't really know where the back of the Xantia is.

 

After a brief dalliance with swapping/selling the Xantia to acquire a van I came to my senses when it was demonstrated how thoroughly practical and sensible a vehicle this is and have instead determined to throw time and money at the few foibles it does have to keep it in excellent order.  Seems a bit strange to start with something really rather good instead of something on its last legs.

 

With that in mind, I could do with getting hold of a black rear bumper insert where it's been bashed in the past and sprained the plastic.

 

I could also do with new outer rear light clusters.  I think I'll stick with the smoked ones but I have been tempted to fit the later clear-topped ones because the car is white and it would probably look pretty smart.  The boot carpet does get a little moist occasionally and I think it's coming in through the rear light clusters as there appears to be no other water ingress.  The light clusters were like this when I got the car.

 

 

Mechanical

>Front passenger balljoint (or whatever is wrong on that corner)

>Clutch

 

Cosmetic

>Rear bumper black trim

>Driver's side rubbing strips (front has delaminated chrome, rear has deep scuffs)

>Pair rear outer light clusters (full set if converting to clear tops)

>Radio/centre console trim (cracked, repair visible)

>Rear centre console trim (bodgy visible screwheads repair)

>Instrument binnacle lens (existing one cracked)

>Passenger door lock button

>Rear sill to arch seam to de-rust and repaint

>Various scratches, minor dents and stone chips to rectify all over the car, mostly touch-up pen jobs

 

I find it difficult to accept that the above is all this car wants from me, everything else I've owned has been a hopeless shitheap by comparison.

[Bren]

There is a plastic membrane behind the tailgate trim panel held in place with sealant.

 

Mine had come away in a couple of places - not much, but the rear loadspace carpet was sodden.

 

Worth checking.

[vulgalour]

Oo, top tip!  I shall check that and reseal if required.

[ruffgeezer]

Yeah, they are a shit for leaking if they aren't stuck on with all manner of sticky manky substance.

 

In other news, if you like, I should be able to rebuild a hub on the bench with a new wheel bearing & balljoint to make life a little easier for you, again drop me a pm if you want to discuss.

[The Moog]

when I got the car the boot seal was loose and wrong way round. might be worth checking it is still seated properly, after all I have previous of not fitting things tight

[vulgalour]

Yeah, they are a shit for leaking if they aren't stuck on with all manner of sticky manky substance.

 

In other news, if you like, I should be able to rebuild a hub on the bench with a new wheel bearing & balljoint to make life a little easier for you, again drop me a pm if you want to discuss.

 

I did... I was just waiting for a price so I can tell you when I can rattle on over to get it done.

[ruffgeezer]

Well a little update on this if Mr Vulgalour doesn't mind the intrusion?

 

Round about a week ago, plans were put into action to sort out Le Oignon's ruined wheel bearing & sloppy ball joint, a plan which began in a field in Lincolnshire, just here:

 

It's only been 8 years since it was parked, it should start up ok, right?

 

Yep, a few squeezes of the primer bulb and a boost from the C5 and we have lift off!

 

And so whe get jacking and get cracking:

 

 

 

An hour is enough to release the hub from it's former home, nothing was too difficult and the bottom ball joint looks reasonably new, so we elect to leave it be.

 

Not so for the wheel bearing which is replaced as a matter of course:

 

Acetylene is needed to release the old circlip, 

 

Pulling the inner race off of the hub:

 

And all together:

 

Today I was visited by Vulgalour and Chompy Snake, who left me with the Oignomnomnom for a few hours, in that time I took 2 pictures only;

 

Halfway there:

  

 

Just after the road test:

 

I am impressed at how clean it is compared to when I saw it last, and it still pulls very well, I hope that it is an improvement on it's previous condition!

 

 

[vulgalour]

Ruffgeezer Garages has the Vulgalour Stamp of Approval!

 

On the way in, just after the t®oll bridge, the wheel bearing did something that felt akin to a wheel coming loose.  I was then limited to a top comfortable speed of 55mph, dropping to 50mph until we got to the destination.  Less than ideal but also perfect timing, I got exactly as much use as it was possible to get out of that old wheel bearing!

 

Dropped the Oignon off with the talented Mr Geezer and trundled off to Skegness in my brother's 1.1 Saxo which was on it's first long distance trek for three years.  Skegness was shit.  So we went to see my Nan in Louth which was substantially less shit, indeed it was the opposite of that.  It was a pleasant surprise not to be getting in the way lending a hand with the job.

 

On our return I collected a car that is disturbingly quiet.  I now have to keep an eagle eye on my speed as I no longer have an audible speedometer.  I can also hear the stereo which, as it happens, is rather good.  The car drives much better, it doesn't wander or have any of those funny little wibbles and is vastly improved.  I am very impressed.

 

Next job is to save up to replace the currently wafer thin clutch I think.  And the bottom arm bushes that M. Geezer pointed out are shagged.  I also now have a set of OEM roof bars which means I can get stupidly proportioned furniture on top of the car as well as inside it, which pleases me greatly.

 

Top day out, highly recommend, A+++++, brill mechanicing wizardy.

[Richard]