320Touring's Citroen GSA. Boom, back in the room (unit) 11/07/2021

[320touring]

Looky what's here!

 

 

Front and rear spheres! ( My brother "joked" that it stands for "It's Fuckin Honkin, Son" as a description of how much fun* the job is likely to be)

 

I have my 5L of LHM too , so just a case of getting space to gitter dun (and likely a day of prep /skoosh everything with REMONSTRATING fluid..)

 

Expect an update in the next couple of weeks:)

[320touring]

The chaps at Tartan Tarmac had their end of year meet today - a ticketed affair, with inclusive breakfast..

 

I managed to secure two tickets so my brother and I could attend!

 

 

There was quite the selection present - I'll stick up some pics in the spotted thread.

 

In the meantime, marvel at this composition from one of the attendees - the GSA makes an appearance:)

 

[chancer]

Just reminded me that eldest daughter papped the GSA this morn at that meet and sent me the pic

 

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[320touring]

Nice:)

 

Assuming you are fairly local then? Should pop along to Scotoshite!

[chancer]

Nice:)

 

Assuming you are fairly local then? Should pop along to Scotoshite!

Glasgow bud, no sure anyone would be interested in a rusty old Ka or a hanging old peugeot van tho

[320touring]

Glasgow bud, no sure anyone would be interested in a rusty old Ka or a hanging old peugeot van tho

Just wait til you see the Merc in real life!

[dome]

Just wait til you see the Merc in real life!

I'd recommend oilskins to be on the safe side

[dome]

But enough about Neil, I'm sure the Mercs lovely

[320touring]

Just bought timing belts and tensioners for this.. expecting an intense weekend of GSA working at some point in January

[gm]

nice to see the beige wonder out and about this morning - away off to the workshop for a day of tinkering I suspect ? I was on my way to work

[320touring]

nice to see the beige wonder out and about this morning - away off to the workshop for a day of tinkering I suspect ? I was on my way to work

My brother en route to unit:)

 

The GSA doesn't get worked on, it's the modern, sensible daily

[gm]

just passed him on the way home too - strange coincidence

[320touring]

just passed him on the way home too - strange coincidence

Was he Fu'Gutty as usual?

[gm]

is that like GLF ? yes, a bit

[320touring]

Just had this arrive:

 

 

Mmmm shiny timing belt kit:)

 

Also have the LHM and spheres in stock.

 

However, I've been made aware that :

 

1. If the LHM is humped, It's probably wise to flush the system (the LHM is black!)

 

2. I should probably do the Hydraulic pump gaiter at the same time as the belts - as replacing it requires another strip down.

 

So I think revised plan is swap LHM for flush (hydraurincage) and get the pump gaiter ordered up.

 

Then run the flush for a bit before starting on the sphere swap

[beko1987]

Lob it full of Hydraflush! Superb stuff, plus you have to leave it in there for about 4/5000 miles, so an easy thing to leave to do its job!

[dollywobbler]

I'm not sure what the LHM filters are like on a GSA, but give them a good clean when you drain the old LHM out, and I would be surprised if you have to do it again before the 4000 miles is up. Bit of petrol and they'll be like new.

[320touring]

I'm not sure what the LHM filters are like on a GSA, but give them a good clean when you drain the old LHM out, and I would be surprised if you have to do it again before the 4000 miles is up. Bit of petrol and they'll be like new.

Yup, all part of the drain and flush plan:)

 

With the added bonus that the contaminated petrol can go into the Merc:)

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....added bonus that the contaminated petrol can go into the Merc:)

Would that not be the car equivalent of "wreck-the-hoose juice"?

[320touring]

Would that not be the car equivalent of "wreck-the-hoose juice"?

Nup, that fucker will burn anyhing..

 

And is about as wild as David Attenborough on Ketamine

[320touring]

 

 

Planning to put Hydraflush in the GSA today. (Managed to leave the Haynes book of lies at the house!)

 

Trying to depressurised the system - have undone this bolt :

 

 

But car is not dropping.

 

Can anyone advise if I'm missing something/the correct procedure please?

 

Thanks

[320touring]

Found it !

 

This wee 11mm nut loosens to return the fluid from the front to the tank:)

 

Good Section Facebook page were a grand help!

 

[forddeliveryboy]

And don't undo it too far! A turn and a half is enough, any bother re-pressuring the system (only happens once in a blue moon) with an empty HP pump which isn't priming, have the engine running and turn it to and fro. Failing that, fill the supply line with LHM.

[320touring]

And don't undo it too far! A turn and a half is enough, any bother re-pressuring the system (only happens once in a blue moon) with an empty HP pump which isn't priming, have the engine running and turn it to and fro. Failing that, fill the supply line with LHM.

Smashing cheers

[320touring]

Well that was an exciting day!

 

First time I've really done any LHM type work on the GSA, and removing the tank meant it was immobilised..

 

First off, it was time to get the car as low as possible - this maximises the volume of LHM in the tank.

 

Initial sorties were poor.

We opened the depressurising bolt (12mm) next to the sphere approx 1 turn.

 

 

Nothing happened.

 

We got the back down using the brake pedal but the front was stubborn!

 

I posted here, and on the G section Facebook page asking for advice. I also called Mr Citroen of this parish.

 

Between a course of G section members and Mr Citroen, we worked out that there is a line on the subframe that allows the fluid to return to the tank.

 

This is the bugger (11mm nut at the end of the t - piece/line splitter on the subframe)

 

 

Opening this results in a fairly rapid drop, so easy does it!

 

Then it is time to remove the LHM! PELA to the rescue.

 

 

As you can see, the LHM is fuckernated.

 

 

Removing the tank was simple.

 

This metal bar

 

 

Unclips under the tank and pulls out this locating hole

 

 

This leaves the tank loose, and able to be moved. The filter housing can be pulled out and the filters removed.

 

 

And the LHM was decanted for processing* (aka filtering and sticking in the Merc tank)

 

[320touring]

Then it was time to do some cleaning..

 

 

The outside of the tank was minging - it responded well to some hot water and shampoo

 

 

The inside was attacked with various cleaning accoutrements. It was filthy.

 

 

Eventually we had a clean tank ready for drying.

 

 

and the filters were properly cleaned out.

 

 

Everything was moved in front of a fan heater to dry out properly.

 

Once dry, the filters and tank were refitted

 

 

Looks good, eh?

 

Lastly, it was time to refill the system with flush (I call it Hydracarnage;)

 

 

Some citrobatics later, and it was time for a short test drive.

 

The brakes felt fine and the suspension stayed up, no red lights on the dash.

 

We left it whilst doing other things, and it had stayed up ok, with stop light going out after starting.

 

We double checked the 11mm and 12mm nut and bolt, then my brother drove it home.

 

It seems to be driving fine, and now we just need to do some miles to get the flush completed!

 

All in all, it was fairly simple and straightforward - a nice experience!

[beko1987]

That tank looks gorgeous! Don't forget to bleed the brakes right through and plenty of citrobatics! I found foot on the brake and lock to lock the steering on the xm purged the front end nicely too

[The Moog]

Nice write up with great pictures. Those filters were minging!

[320touring]

That tank looks gorgeous! Don't forget to bleed the brakes right through and plenty of citrobatics! I found foot on the brake and lock to lock the steering on the xm purged the front end nicely too

We ran out of time for any brake bleeding today - it'll get done when the flush is coming out:)

 

The steering is manual on the GSA - no LHM involved!

[richardmorris]

Many years since I had CXs but I always did the citroaerobics at long traffic lights and railway crossings. Kept me and other drivers amused and the car hydraulics flowing freely.