OMG Barn find French non live non collection project thread

[Fabergé Greggs]

 

Nailed it. It's actually been in an actual barn for 5 years. Owned by a rather pleasant old chap, the only payment he required was a donation to a charity of his choosing, which I was more than happy to do. It's a charity close to my heart so I consider the car to be free!

 

Some key features about this particular model: 

 

1.9 n/a diesel estate

80'000 clicks

Started on the first flick after 5 years

some sort of fluid leak from the drivers side rear

Highly advanced mouse infestation

Rust free 

Raises up at the back but not at the front. 

 

WCPGW???

 

The car is in Kings Lynn so I need to figure out some way to deal with the whole thing. Unfortunately I'm without a driveway/garage at the moment so I'm considering just having it lifted to chevronics to have them MOT it and do all that it needs to get me running. I figured even if it cost, say £800 I'd still be quids in and happy to have got an old girl back on the road. It might not make perfect bangernomics shiter sense but I just feel like I need to take this car on!

 

I'll keep y'all posted 

 

 

[dollywobbler]

I'd suspect a rear brake pipe as the source of a leak on the driver's side rear - which is better than it being a front-to-rear pipe, which would be on the passenger side typically. Sticky front might just be sticky height corrector. Does the height lever move?

 

EDIT - actually, worst case scenario is that it's a leaking suspension cylinder, which would be a pain as estate ones are unique and hard to find. Could be as simple as a split return pipe though. 

 

I'd be wary of just sending it off to a specialist, purely because it could eat up a LOT of money. If you've got somewhere to work on it at home, the BX Club is very forthcoming with helpful advice (and is well worth having a good search on). 

[SambaS]

Is that parked on a plastic sheet? Ive been considering doing that up at the barn as it gets damp!

[Richard]

If it's losing fluid it could just be that there isn't enough in the reservoir for lifting the front.

[Fabergé Greggs]

I'd suspect a rear brake pipe as the source of a leak on the driver's side rear - which is better than it being a front-to-rear pipe, which would be on the passenger side typically. Sticky front might just be sticky height corrector. Does the height lever move?

 

EDIT - actually, worst case scenario is that it's a leaking suspension cylinder, which would be a pain as estate ones are unique and hard to find. Could be as simple as a split return pipe though. 

 

I'd be wary of just sending it off to a specialist, purely because it could eat up a LOT of money. If you've got somewhere to work on it at home, the BX Club is very forthcoming with helpful advice (and is well worth having a good search on). 

Yup that bloke said it was the brake pipe so that fits in with his suspicions. 

 

Unfortunately I'm completely without a place to work on cars at the moment, a peril of moving to a flat in London. Once it's MOT'd I can park it on the street and it's a quiet enough road that working on cars isn't too unpleasant. I'm constantly on the hunt for a garage in London but they're hard to come by. I know it's daft to just dump it at a specialist, and I really shouldn't be taking on a car because of that... but.... 

[Fabergé Greggs]

Is that parked on a plastic sheet? Ive been considering doing that up at the barn as it gets damp!

 

Aye, He'd lined the floor and walls with tarp before parking up the BX. 

[forddeliveryboy]

EDIT - actually, worst case scenario is that it's a leaking suspension cylinder, which would be a pain as estate ones are unique and hard to find. Could be as simple as a split return pipe though. 

 

 

Did a bit of research in case a cylinder is leaking or for other BXers - I was sure Xantia ones could fit. It seems mid '95 onwards Xantia saloon cylinders are the closest match (38mm id - BX estate=37mm). You just have to machine/file down the supply union casting a little to allow it to fit into the BX subframe. Use the piston rod and bellows from the BX.

 

BX estate cylinders are 2mm larger internal diamater than the hatch's, which means more fluid movement to and from the sphere for a given wheel travel. Presumably this is to work the fluid less hard (heat?) and/or reduce piston pressure rather than stiffen the suspension, since the estate spheres are spec'd to be correspondingly 'softer'.

 

PS well nailed, jts - it may feel slow as, but journeys will be relaxed and you'll arrive within seconds of Mr TDi. I had an identical car, it was a proper workhorse.

[jonathan_dyane]

There is an excellent Citroen Specialist in Kings Lynn called Keith Would. I'd be getting him to fix it rather than transporting it to Chevronics...

[richardmorris]

I'm sure I have keith's phone number around here somewhere if anyone wants it. He doesn't do internet.

[Bobthebeard]

The 'mouse infestation' part sounds worrying... Hopefully only pooh and not chomped wiring!

[vulgalour]

I'm jealous.

[Fabergé Greggs]

I'm sure I have keith's phone number around here somewhere if anyone wants it. He doesn't do internet.

 

Yes please

The 'mouse infestation' part sounds worrying... Hopefully only pooh and not chomped wiring!

 

I can absolutely confirm the poo but. Not so sure about the wiring. 

[forddeliveryboy]

Didn't know these cars had any wiring. Manual windows, mechanical fuel pump, automatic rear brake distribution all mechanical/hydraulic, same with the self-levelling springing... perhaps it has a radio?

 

Change the cambelt a priorité, though.

[wuvvum]

I would recommend Dugong Delivery Service.  Based not that far from Kings Lynn, and has a great track record with delivering diesel BX estates.

[richardmorris]

I'll try and find the number for Keith tonight.

[Micrashed]

From what I remember with Vera when she split a pipe the back end dropped before the front. So Im not convinced that the lack of skyward motion is just as simple as pressure loss. I'd go with the sticky front height corrector as first port of call (these can be stripped and cleaned but be warned contain bloody loads of little discs with holes in).

Pretty sure the BX didnt have a little plastic clip on the front one ( The Xantia does and when they wear they pop off leaving the nose down)

[Craig the Princess]

Craig the Princess LDV and trailer services are available in this area if you need it shifting. 

[Fabergé Greggs]

Well, I've spoken with Keith and he sounds optimistic about taking it to the point where it's driveable and MOT'able. He's a couple of minutes down the road. Brilliant 

[londonm]

Don't forget the scene tax will be quite high on this car.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Don't forget the scene tax will be quite high on this car.

whaddaya mean? In terms of getting it fixed?