Project Dean's French follies.

[dean36014]

Decided its about time to lump all my vehicles in one post, so i have a diary of progress, or more likely disasters!

First one on the fleet is Shonky, a bx 17tgd. My favourite out the lot, and has taken me to France numerous times. All time best I've managed on a run is 65mpg taking it easy. He was a bit of a mess when I bought him, hence the name. However he was remarkable solid, just needing the usual inner wing repairs doing. He also had cambelt, new rear arm bearings, alloys and new tyres, replacement drivers seat, and next year I'll be replacing his rear quarter panel as its been bashed numerous times in the past.



Next came the Xsara enterprise van, nicely run in at 278k now with a massive history file. It had one company owner from new until I bought it two years ago. Cambelt just changed and now showing an engine management light, something to do with the maf sensor. I've just bought a Lexia and trying to get my head round it so diagnostics might become easier. really need a better laptop on Xp than the one I'm using to install it on.



Then there's the bargain Xm I bought for £200 which came with a full tank of petrol! Known as the Gaffer due to his reg plate, he had a full exhaust and flew through his Mot. Did about 2000 miles in him but then he blotted his copy book by bursting a main hydraulic pipe. Currently sat on the drive awaiting repairs. He's pretty solid underneath but suffering laquer peel on the roof and a few other little places. Gaffer is a 2 litre 16v petrol automatic so likes a drink.


A little c2 was bought as i needed to put my car no claims on something before I lost them. Somehow got the nickname of Project Pinky, mainly due to his manly colour. Just finished giving him a full service, cambelt, front shocks, strut mounts and bearings, brake discs and pads, and bottom ball joints. Changed his rotten aftermarket replacement front wing for a temporary black one to I can either find a replacement in the correct colur or get rattle can a panel up. Also got a replacement interior in the original funky orange colour of Ebay for 10p, yes 10p. This has been fitted to replace the ones which had some nasty fag burns. Aircon even works too, a bonus in the summer.


Finally theres is Bleriot, my problem child. Purchased for the sum of £215, he's a 1.7d, so epic ally slow, and suffers really loud intake noise. He will never be a show car, he's had some poor quality repairs in the past but he's fun to drive with no pas and a very short first gear. Currently just gone round the back to start replacement of the front to rear hydraulic pipes, as one burst.

Pipes are a bit rusty!

After a clean up with the pressure washer. surprisingly all the usual rot points at the back are solid. I'll rust treat any little bits and wax oil before he goes back on the road.

Found a little more welding needed on the sill. He needs all his front inner wings doing too, but i'm trying to ignore this lol


Oh and yes, this little beauty is getting delivered tomorrow, care of WorldofCeri. Its a 1,4 petrol St tropez. Needs some welding doing, a good valet, and service before a mot. Its completely poverty spec, with no central locking and keep fit windows. It does however have a factory fitted glass tilt sunroof and funky seats.


I'll try my best to remember to keep this thread updated with fleet updates and repairs.

[dean36014]

Bleriot all ready for repairs to start

[DSdriver]

Are the quarter panels on the bx actually (supposed to be) metal, I know the bootlid is grp?

[dean36014]

The panel below the little grill is metal, remove the grill and you can get in to drill the spot welds out. 

[Matty]

Thread needs more Citroen's! Still can't get my head round that xsara van. Is it glazed like an estate but panneled on the inside? I wasn't aware they were a thing till I saw yours

[dean36014]

The van is a completely standard xsara estate in the back, except the back seat is removed and a steel platform/ bulkhead fitted in place. Windows are completely tinted dark black with no vision through them. Rear window is clear, rear doors still have wind down windows and door trims, windows are seized as they've never been opened.

A quick unexpected update on the fleet. The bloody c2 got halfway to work tonight and suddenly started missfiring and developed a weird tinny rattle. I'm guessing it will be plugs, coil pack or an injector down. Bloody ungrateful bastard after all the new bits fitted last week

[Junkman]

Thread needs more Citroen's!

 

Yes, I like green puddle hilarity a lot.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Three BXs in the same colour? Superb work! I fancy the 1.4.

[Broadsword]

A man who possesses a fleet of BXs is a man to admire. That’s a great selection of cars sir!

[stuboy]

used to drive my friends mums bx's 1st was slow... 2nd was better both dieseal fueooled

[dean36014]

New car collection day.First of all a big thanks to WorldofCeri, Walsgrave transport for sorting out the collection for me. Top service from a fellow autoshiter and highly recommended.

https://www.facebook.com/walsgrave.co/

 

Well at wet and soggy day but the Bx14 St Tropez is now home and tucked up in the tent awaiting attention. Neighbours are going to be baffled now i have three white Bx's! First impressions are the bodywork after some TLC will be really good. Interior needs a fettle and clean but should come up fine. Just need to get on with stripping the dashboard out ready to start repairing the bulkhead rust now.

[shedenvy]

BX PORN OVERLOAD!

 

Was brought up in these, a mk1 that my Dad rolled and a mk2 that went on for evah. Couldnt stop putting my finger into the weird spongy filter in the grills of the C pillar - strange child.

 

Right at the top of my bucket list.

 

You sir are a hero.

[dean36014]

Today's little* job is to sort out the C2, i think I've killed it. Further investigation has revealed the cambelt has lost its tension. This has some weird sprung loaded tensioner pulley rather than the ever so simple, reliable concentric type you just swung round and tightened up. It appears I've fucked up fitting it, mainly due to lack of research on how it actually works. The good news, if there is any is that nothing appears broken in the top end, so I've fingers crossed it might resurrect with just a timing reset, otherwise its replacement cylinder head time. I'm beginning to think me and cambelts don't mix well. At least the St Tropez has the conventional type tensioner pulley. I'm just trying to sum up the enthusiasm to head outside and do the whole bloody job again. 

[dean36014]

Well the little C2 is now fixed. Dobbin here hadn't tensioned the tensioner correctly. Luckily all noises are gone and its running perfectly again. Time to get some miles on it and wang it in for a MOT. 

[Uncle Jimmy]

Fantastic collection of Froggie french shite there; respect due for looking after it all.

[Shep Shepherd]

I love BXs. My mother had a grey H-reg 16 TZS automatic hatchback for several years in the early 2000s. It was lovely to drive, but eventually developed electrical problems, leading it to self-immolate when parked.

[hairnet]

cahseracer will be massively jelus

[worldofceri]

Thanks for the free plug, Dean; always a pleasure to aid and abet in the resurrection of worthy chod.

 

Slightly dismayed to see you've captured me 'assuming the position' in the pissing rain wearing my least-flattering workwear combo of flat cap and luminous orange overcoat.

 

And I do actually strap cars to the trailer, in case anyone was wondering!

[worldofceri]

We could scarcely have had more ironic weather conditions for picking up a 'St Tropez' special edition.

[Noel Tidybeard]

my dad ha a BX Flight which had little concordes in the go-faster-stripes

[Dan_ZTT]

Fabulous collection sir. Parents had an AX and then a BX when I was in my formative years and I remember them fondly, think I might well be looking for the chevrons on my next car.

[dean36014]

Well been out this morning and removed the suspension arm, exhaust and spare wheel carrier. Thankfully the swing arm bearings look good so I'll regrease those before refitting

 

That makes access so much better. There are 4 lines front to rear and one has been replaced so that makes life a little easier.

After a bit of a struggle I removed the first line, looks like I found the problem!

Flushed with success I bolted my vice down to the work bench in the shed ready for some brake pipe flaring.

Now, earlier this year I invested megabucks in a proper flaring tool for Citroen pipes and some flares and seals. Only problem is they're in the spare room of doom, the box room I've racked out and filled with various car parts, manuals and vinyl records. A quick search found the flaring tool and fittings but no pipe. So threw some seats out onto the landing and spent more time looking for the elusive pipe, with no success. Guess tomorrow's job is going to be empty the room to find the roll of pipe. So I've given up for the day with only this pile of bits I succeeded in finding.

 

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

[richardmorris]

BX PORN OVERLOAD!

Was brought up in these, a mk1 that my Dad rolled and a mk2 that went on for evah. Couldnt stop putting my finger into the weird spongy filter in the grills of the C pillar - strange child.

Right at the top of my bucket list.

You sir are a hero.

Me too on the spongy air filters!

My dad’s first was a pale blue C reg 19rd, then a coupe of 17rds in white and red ( learned to drive in that one ) with a black 19TXD k505ltu the last ( and one of the last BXs registered). I nearly bought a 16trs many years ago, but it needed the rear arm bearings and so was considered too much work.

[dean36014]

Fuck me this little C2 is fighting me all the way. The absolutely perfect and rust free looking rear silencer just fell off on the way home. Bloody ungrateful bastard. Now do I take the remaining piece of pipe off and weld it back up or buy a new one?

[Rocket88]

Various BX's sticking pins in it.........

[Stinkwheel]

I recognise that STropez   It gave me and the other half several years of excellent service, I actually really miss it, but painted myself into the far too many cars position.

 

Good on you Dean, I will watch its progress along with the others with interest.

[binhoker668]

Yup, my Dad had a very basic 14E Leader. I absolutely loved it, and it was his second ever brand new car. Would naturally love one now, but let’s be honest, how many times can I buy a potentially problematic car, but with no discernible mechanic skills? What I really need is a garage/driveway, a second car with some issues, a mate to make a project out of it with and a wee Citroen AX for the daily commute.

[binhoker668]

Finding a project compadre in Nottingham with the same brilliant* taste in music and cars is a bit of a mission though, I tells thee.

Would also be handy if they played guitar or bass.

Apply within.

[dollywobbler]

I recognise that STropez   It gave me and the other half several years of excellent service, I actually really miss it, but painted myself into the far too many cars position.

 

Good on you Dean, I will watch its progress along with the others with interest.

 

I didn't know you actually sold cars too!  

[Stinkwheel]

I didn't know you actually sold cars too!

 

Its not a normal thing, it feels wrong and icky. I think apart from selling/swapping cars with you, I do tend not to.

I still remember Mrs Dollywobblers comment of 'me being one of the people she doesn't mind you buying cars from' gawd knows why.