For sale: BX Meteor

[BorniteIdentity]

Factoid: last night I dreamt I bought a Silver bASe BX with 11,000 on the clock. I have no idea where this came from and what it’s all about, as I’ve never expressed any interest or desire in these ugly bastards! Weird.

Anyway this looks like solid shite with plenty of drama and jeopardy just around the corner. Well bought! 

[Fumbler]

Another Factoid: You can do ludicrous speeds with a NA BX diesel. The one Father Fumbler's former boss had was red and supposedly had no rev limiter. Blatted past my dad's Rover 820 on the bypass, doing 80 at probably shouldnthappeninadieselengine RPM.

[Crackers]

No rev limiter?

I hereby decree a video of all the revs should be posted ASAP.

 

Ok, maybe after an oil and belt change, I'll give you that

[UltraWomble]

Ive had a couple of NA 1.9 dizzle BX's a 1700 TD and a 1700 NA Dizzle.

The 1.9 could keep up with the TD, you just had to drive it a bit different (ie NAIL THE BASTARD)

The 1700NA would have trouble keeping up with an old lady wheeling a tartan zip up shopping trolley full of half price tins of Heinz soup. But it sipped fuel.

[Lacquer Peel]

Another Factoid: You can do ludicrous speeds with a NA BX diesel. The one Father Fumbler's former boss had was red and supposedly had no rev limiter. Blatted past my dad's Rover 820 on the bypass, doing 80 at probably shouldnthappeninadieselengine RPM.

Even an XUD7 will do over 90. There's definitely a rev limiter or they'd explode.

[Fumbler]

2 minutes ago, Lacquer Peel said:

3 hours ago, Fumbler said:

Another Factoid: You can do ludicrous speeds with a NA BX diesel. The one Father Fumbler's former boss had was red and supposedly had no rev limiter. Blatted past my dad's Rover 820 on the bypass, doing 80 at probably shouldnthappeninadieselengine RPM.

 There's definitely a rev limiter or they'd explode.

Are explosions undesirable? I thought they were part of the entertainent and thrill of high-speed driving!

[paulplom]

Boring fact that I read somewhere. Diesel cars self rev limit. Due to the speed the diesel burns. or something. You can't bounce one off the limiter like you can a petrol. Although I've never tried.

[Lacquer Peel]

Boring fact that I read somewhere. Diesel cars self rev limit. Due to the speed the diesel burns. or something. You can't bounce one off the limiter like you can a petrol. Although I've never tried.

It's a governor. It controls how much fuel is injected at a given engine speed, and 4500 rpm is "whoa there" for most older diesels.

[JimH]

Back in the day when dismals were not as shit as they are now things were much more mechanical. The governor is buried in the injection pump. From memory the early 1.5 and 1.6 VW dismals spun as fast as the petrol versions.

[Cavcraft]

That's gone beyond fantastic, what a great buy.

[jonny69]

7 hours ago, JimH said:

Back in the day when dismals were not as shit as they are now things were much more mechanical. The governor is buried in the injection pump. From memory the early 1.5 and 1.6 VW dismals spun as fast as the petrol versions.

Ah, this is the grandfather of the +500hp screw mod then. Get it done.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Go on then, let’s give this a whirl 

[vulgalour]

I'm late to this particular party, let's pretend it's because my BX is even slower than your BX.  Congratulations!  Looks like a winmobile from where I'm sitting.

[vulgalour]

Just a quick Q: how loud is your clock and does it keep time properly?

[Fabergé Greggs]

55 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

Just a quick Q: how loud is your clock and does it keep time properly?

Hmm, its definitely audible in the car with everything off. A kind of fast whir. I've only just this moment set it to the right time, so I'll have to get back to you on accuracy. 

[Fabergé Greggs]

Right then, here's a glimpse of the current fleet minus another scooter and an X1/9. Happy days! 

In general it's pretty amazing how different it feels compared to the Saab, given they hail from the same year: getting in an starting up the Saab is a tactile delight, every control is still perfectly weighted and the engine is refined and cultured sounding. The BX feels like it could fall to bits at any moment when compared closely, and the XUD is so clattery at startup it's comical. The gear selector feels vague and plasticy and there's a couple of trim rattles that need to be hunted down. You know what though, as you move off and the revs rise, the engine completely smooths out and becomes relatively sonorous (I said RELATIVELY).  The character of the ride seems to take over and you completely forget about the diesel clatter at idle and the cheap interior plastics. The way that it glides over the abundant speed bumps in my area is totally amazing- noticeably better than my last BX which must have had quite tired spheres in contrast to the brand new comfort spheres on this one. Hmmmm comfort... As others have noted, the 1.9na actually feels a bit revvy, I think it's because it doesn't have the massive dollop of low down torque that modern diesels have, so it ends up feeling a bit more spinny. It all seems to come together nicely well you press on, and feels a bit more willing than the doom mongers would have you believe. I like it! 

I've got a bit of a snagging list before pressing it into intercontinental touring: 

• First off is to weld up the exhaust hanger (TADTS). These are prone to rot at the back and this one is no exception. It's not too bad, but it immediately needs a hanger and long term a little sparky love. There are immediate plans afoot.. 
• The fuel filter housing is non standard, and it's got some creative washers on top to make it fit. I've bought a couple if cartridges for this one anyway because I'd like to start vegging. I having looked much into correct housing, but I did happen to notice one at chevronics for £180!!! FUCK. THAT. 
• Is the fuel filter in the engine bay the only one or do I run the risk of clogging one in a less accessible area too? 
• Right now the drivers window doesn't work, the previous owner said the scissor mechanism had gone. This is agonising in a car so supreme, one's elbow should be out at all times. WANTED: Scissor mechanism. Electric, if that makes a difference. Because Meteor. 
• I'd like to have a pop at lubing the gearbox selector. Are they cables or something? And whilst we're on the subject, it's pretty eager to kickdown. Is that a cable too? 
• Glovebox hinge obvs. That can wait. 

 

[Broadsword]

Glorious car! Makes me want to have a BX.

[Lacquer Peel]

Ditch that filter housing, they're not very good and it's already bodged, buy one of these.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264446960963

[vulgalour]

I know where there's a mechanism, but it's stuck in a door the guy wants £100 for.  I want the glass from said door, another BXer is after a door in the colour of this one but wants it complete, just not for £100.  CONUNDRUM.  Said place also has a  glovebox with hinge but no lock/latch, in black like your interior is.  I cannot give you a price, he will say 'make an offer', but if you're interested in the whole glovebox then I'm happy to pass an offer on for you and see if an arrangement can be made.  I can already tell you he won't split the hinge from the glovebox, you'll have to buy the whole thing, but they're not too bad to change out since it's just the glovebox light, two screws at the top and a couple of screws at the bottom inside the glovebox at the door end that you can't see without a mirror on a stick.

Gear selection is simultaneously notchy and rubbery, it's just how it is.  If you remove the plastic stalk that goes betwixt boot and gearknob the change improves HOWEVER you then lose the reverse lock out and the first and reverse gears are veeeerrry close to each other so it's kinda scary even if the gear change does end up much improved.  Chevronics charge like a wounded rhino, they have nothing in stock I want desperately enough, and this seems to be an issue with many Citroen specialists for some reason, it is very annoying.  I'd like the headlight protectors Chevronics have listed, but not at £30 second hand with someone else's number plate etched into them.

EDIT: yours is an auto, ignore my gear selection info.  I R TEH STOOPIDS.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

36 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

....  Chevronics charge like a wounded rhino...

Chevronics are cheap compared to CX-Basis 

[vulgalour]

The price of CXs and the price of their care is the only reason I do not have one.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

6 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

The price of CXs and the price of their care is the only reason I do not have one.

That's two reasons. 

[Fabergé Greggs]

57 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

I know where there's a mechanism, but it's stuck in a door the guy wants £100 for.  I want the glass from said door, another BXer is after a door in the colour of this one but wants it complete, just not for £100. 

Thanks for all the info.. Bloody hell! £100!

1 hour ago, Lacquer Peel said:

Ditch that filter housing, they're not very good and it's already bodged, buy one of these.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264446960963

Thanks for the tip. My filter housing has a primer built in at the top. Would I need a primer bulb to go along with the one you suggested? 

[dean36014]

I think i have a decent black glovebox i could swap for beer tokens

[STUNO]

I have had a longing for a BX  ever since my BX16 with auto got demolished (it was repaired and is loved by it's current owner). I always felt that it was a bit lacking in hill-climbing ability though.  Maybe i should look for a BX 19 with proper gears for the next  one. A bit rare in these parts though !

[hairnet]

@STUNO

You need a bx11

[Lacquer Peel]

Thanks for the tip. My filter housing has a primer built in at the top. Would I need a primer bulb to go along with the one you suggested? 

A primer bulb is helpful if there's an air leak or for priming a new fuel filter but they can also cause air leaks. You can also prime the filter by filling it with diesel or veg.

 

Double check the pipe bore, it could be 8 or 10mm

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F312583065874

 

 

 

[artdjones]

22 hours ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

Right then, here's a glimpse of the current fleet minus another scooter and an X1/9. Happy days! 

In general it's pretty amazing how different it feels compared to the Saab, given they hail from the same year: getting in an starting up the Saab is a tactile delight, every control is still perfectly weighted and the engine is refined and cultured sounding. The BX feels like it could fall to bits at any moment when compared closely, and the XUD is so clattery at startup it's comical. The gear selector feels vague and plasticy and there's a couple of trim rattles that need to be hunted down. You know what though, as you move off and the revs rise, the engine completely smooths out and becomes relatively sonorous (I said RELATIVELY).  The character of the ride seems to take over and you completely forget about the diesel clatter at idle and the cheap interior plastics. The way that it glides over the abundant speed bumps in my area is totally amazing- noticeably better than my last BX which must have had quite tired spheres in contrast to the brand new comfort spheres on this one. Hmmmm comfort... As others have noted, the 1.9na actually feels a bit revvy, I think it's because it doesn't have the massive dollop of low down torque that modern diesels have, so it ends up feeling a bit more spinny. It all seems to come together nicely well you press on, and feels a bit more willing than the doom mongers would have you believe. I like it! 

I've got a bit of a snagging list before pressing it into intercontinental touring: 

• First off is to weld up the exhaust hanger (TADTS). These are prone to rot at the back and this one is no exception. It's not too bad, but it immediately needs a hanger and long term a little sparky love. There are immediate plans afoot.. 
• The fuel filter housing is non standard, and it's got some creative washers on top to make it fit. I've bought a couple if cartridges for this one anyway because I'd like to start vegging. I having looked much into correct housing, but I did happen to notice one at chevronics for £180!!! FUCK. THAT. 
• Is the fuel filter in the engine bay the only one or do I run the risk of clogging one in a less accessible area too? 
• Right now the drivers window doesn't work, the previous owner said the scissor mechanism had gone. This is agonising in a car so supreme, one's elbow should be out at all times. WANTED: Scissor mechanism. Electric, if that makes a difference. Because Meteor. 
• I'd like to have a pop at lubing the gearbox selector. Are they cables or something? And whilst we're on the subject, it's pretty eager to kickdown. Is that a cable too? 
• Glovebox hinge obvs. That can wait. 

 

If the proper fuel filter housing is the drum shaped black one that fits on top of the thermostat housing,then it's available for much less than £180.Google Purflux FC502.

It's around £65 on eBay.

[Bren]

Since when did old cit prices imitate old ford ones?

[Steve79]

On 10/14/2019 at 10:05 AM, Fabergé Greggs said:

Lads, lads, lads. Its been ages since I bought a thing, and I LOVE BUYING THINGS. I couldn’t sleep last night, for instance. 

I feel great because buying vehicles SOLVES ALL OF LIFE’S PROBLEMS (apart from parking permits). 

Anyway, I just agreed to buy a thing, with collection commencing today or tomorrow. 
 

In the meantime, let’s spy on the vendors house on street view shall we? My little bundle of joy is tucked in behind that rather tasty 164. 
 

 

I'm soo glad to see this pic. That's my old 3litre 164 manual lusso that I sold to Clive (the vendor) back in 2012. 

Glad to see he still has it. Only car ever that I regret selling and would have it back off of him in a heartbeat. Bet he would want more than the £600 I sold it to him for though!