1979 GS (and other shite)

[loserone]

1 minute ago, Marshall2810 said:

If you hadn't retracted your bid none of this would have happened 😂 

I put a last minute one on just as high! 

[loserone]

16 minutes ago, Marshall2810 said:

You bid exactly the same figure as the guy that brought it

No, I was outbid 

[rob88h]

I went to see if I could throw my name in the hat to save this, with money and not just dreams. I’m loving my BX Leader, but would prefer an estate; they’re quite firmly on “the list”. I nearly bought this very car before so my psyche was ready to have it. It's not to be though, looks like it has been broken up for parts already.

@KevTee1 hour ago

Hey, yeah it's a sad sight to see, unfortunately she was broken but hopefully the parts will go to keeping many others going for longer 👍

 

Sad times.

Back to plan A: waiting for one of @Rust Collector’s estates to ripen, rise (BX pun) to the top of the list and be recommissioned. 

[Edit: rise to the top of the list, not rise to the top of the pile… I’m not insinuating any of your cars are a “pile”]

 

[jim89]

54 minutes ago, rob88h said:

I went to see if I could throw my name in the hat to save this, with money and not just dreams. I’m loving my BX Leader, but would prefer an estate; they’re quite firmly on “the list”. I nearly bought this very car before so my psyche was ready to have it. It's not to be though, looks like it has been broken up for parts already.

@KevTee1 hour ago

Hey, yeah it's a sad sight to see, unfortunately she was broken but hopefully the parts will go to keeping many others going for longer 👍

 

Sad times.

Back to plan A: waiting for one of @Rust Collector’s estates to ripen, rise (BX pun) to the top of the list and be recommissioned. 

[Edit: rise to the top of the list, not rise to the top of the pile… I’m not insinuating any of your cars are a “pile”]

 

Decent recovery effort 👍

[sdkrc]

Can't believe this is all your fault @loserone

[loserone]

I'm such a loser.   The first loser, in fact.  The one who came behind the winner.

[LightBulbFun]

18 minutes ago, loserone said:

I'm such a loser.   The first loser, in fact.  The one who came behind the winner.

if it makes you feel any better, I have a bad habit of only skim reading user names and not actually figuring out what they actually say

so for a long time until someone corrected me at the FoD

I thought your user name said "loose Ron"  

[HillmanImp]

4 minutes ago, LightBulbFun said:

if it makes you feel any better, I have a bad habit of only skim reading user names and not actually figuring out what they actually say

so for a long time until someone corrected me at the FoD

I thought your user name said "loose Ron"  

Whenever I see a post by @blguy1975 I panic in case I've accidentally logged onto a swingers forum.

[mat_the_cat]

You mean this isn't?

[RichardK]

5 hours ago, mat_the_cat said:

You mean this isn't?

*fishes keys out of bowl*
*ignores partner, drives off in whatever car it was*

[Marshall2810]

On route 

[Marshall2810]

Been busy with work so not been able to do too much with the new pudding, here's a bit of a photo dump...

To be honest it was worth the trip to meet Joe, enjoy the scenery and talk about his brothers fleet of diesel 106's 

Doggo approves of Joe's pleasurewagon #2

Quick pez shot

Little n Large

Tasty windows

Impressed with the sheer size with five of the seats out! 

Original radio was dead so put this one in for some tunes....Smooth obviously 

Check out all the options I havn't got

Was warned about a dodgy starting procedure with this sometimes involving encouraging* the fuel pump relay into life. 

Unfortunately didn't help so I'll keep whacking it. All the pins are making contact marks and wiggling it makes no difference so the issue is probably something deep inside this little web of treats 😂

A new fuse/relay board may be in order and that should sort it (I hope) so I'll keep an eye out in breakers. I'll investigate if it's getting power etc 

In the meantime I've been browsing my "travel first class" and authentic galaxy merch brochures. 

Alan Partridge eat your heart out 

[rainagain]

I wonder how many actual 'Galaxy' branded items they sold. 

[Lord Sterling]

Hmmm, I actually have a 'Galaxy' number plate I got from from Furrows for Ford dealership way back when I was a teen.

[Marshall2810]

The galaxy went to an enthusiast in the next village and made way for something altogether more crazy. Introducing the ex @HMC/ @jonathan_dyane  GS

It's just such a stunning car and so different from anything around. I'm hoping to get it back to working condition without any LHM leaks so it's at least usable. The BX needed minimal fettling to get roadworthy, this might be a little more involved but I'm willing to give it a try. Far from a mechanic I'm happy doing bits and trying new things so this will be a leaning curve. Therefore any help and pointers would be greatly appreciated by anyone who actually knows what they're doing with these! 

I'd describe the GS as rough but solid. Seems Jonathan did an awful lot of welding work and she appears pretty solid where it matters. I'm not bothered about the finish, if the paint matches particularly or not I'm just glad it's here and (at the moment) I love it. I was surprised (and delighted) to discover a working clutch pedal when dropped off. Clocking the "C-matic" badge on the back I just assumed that's what it was but no it's a fully fledged manual so that's a huge bonus I wasn't expecting. 

Now the torrential rain has subsided for a day she's away in the garage and set about getting her to the stage @HMC managed with the front off after a splash of go go juice. I really like the little details on it, just lovely. 

I'm told the hydralic pump rubber gaiter has split so need to access that before trying to do much else. 

Reading up on it (and until the haynes arrives) it looks like a 42mm deep socket is needed to get the fan off. I'm assuming once that's off the shroud will remove easily and I can access the hydralic pump. Also hoping I can get away without removing the whole of the front bumper/underside to get to it but if I do I do. 

Will update more when the fat socket and other bits arrive in post, may even do some cleaning up in the meantime

 

[grogee]

Can't wait to read progress on this @Marshall2810. Good luck with it all. Well jel, I've always wanted a floaty Citroen. It's from their 'bonkers' era where they didn't give a fuck what everyone else was doing, they just got high on cheese and wine then designed a dashboard. 

Glad to hear it is solid, will you ever paint it do you think? 

[Marshall2810]

3 hours ago, grogee said:

Can't wait to read progress on this @Marshall2810. Good luck with it all. Well jel, I've always wanted a floaty Citroen. It's from their 'bonkers' era where they didn't give a fuck what everyone else was doing, they just got high on cheese and wine then designed a dashboard. 

Glad to hear it is solid, will you ever paint it do you think? 

Cheers @grogee, fingers crossed she plays ball. I'll probably try and improve the colour match a little on doors etc (a la rattle can) but the rest is fine. It's a great base to build on. One step at a time but yeah it'll be amazing 

[Stinkwheel]

Brilliant stuff all round. Im looking forward to seeing this progress (and i really want to throw money at you if you ever get bored of it) 

If you get the fan off with a big socket (i have one you could borrow but wales is a drive just to borrow a socket) you might be able to get at the pump gaiter, although my memory is saying you might need to take the fron fan cowling off (its been about 10 years since i took one apart that much so may be wrong.

Do you know when the cambelts and tensioners were done? If you dont, id suggest taking the undertray off to get access to do them at this point anyway. They arent hard, but there are two of them.

Every single used G ive ever had has had floppy slack belts when checked. Dont play cambelt roulette on these, things will get bad, fast.

Now ive scared you to death, good luck and all that.

I have some NEW old stock BX 14 spheres in citroen packaging that will fit and work well on this if you would like them 

[Marshall2810]

5 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

Brilliant stuff all round. Im looking forward to seeing this progress (and i really want to throw money at you if you ever get bored of it) 

If you get the fan off with a big socket (i have one you could borrow but wales is a drive just to borrow a socket) you might be able to get at the pump gaiter, although my memory is saying you might need to take the fron fan cowling off (its been about 10 years since i took one apart that much so may be wrong.

Do you know when the cambelts and tensioners were done? If you dont, id suggest taking the undertray off to get access to do them at this point anyway. They arent hard, but there are two of them.

Every single used G ive ever had has had floppy slack belts when checked. Dont play cambelt roulette on these, things will get bad, fast.

Now ive scared you to death, good luck and all that.

I have some NEW old stock BX 14 spheres in citroen packaging that will fit and work well on this if you would like them 

Thanks mate, that's very much appreciated and always nice getting advice from someone who knows the cars as you do. Belts are "dayco" branded so at least they're not original 😂 I'll be able to have a good look when the fan shroud comes off. Clocks indicate 79k so nice miles and can't tell you how good it sounds when running.

Shall consider that dibs when the inevitable happens 

[jonathan_dyane]

I have already replaced the belts and tensioners.

You should however bite off @Stinkwheel s hand for the BX14 spheres...

[jonathan_dyane]

I also replaced the pump gaiter but although the replacement was new unused it had probably been on a shelf for 30 years; should have bought a new remanufactured Chevronics one...

[wesacosa]

looking forward to seeing progress on this. very cool car 

[Marshall2810]

33 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I have already replaced the belts and tensioners.

You should however bite off @Stinkwheel s hand for the BX14 spheres...

That's a good job done then, thought they look good what I can see of them. 

31 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I also replaced the pump gaiter but although the replacement was new unused it had probably been on a shelf for 30 years; should have bought a new remanufactured Chevronics one...

That's a bit more concerning, let's hope it's just the gaiter. HMC got a fresh one from chevronics so fingers crossed that's it unless another pipe nearby has had it. It'll become clear once we get into it. 

Am I right in thinking the system bleed screw by the sphere behind the engine? I'm assuming it is as it's  only in hand tight 

[Stinkwheel]

29 minutes ago, Marshall2810 said:

That's a good job done then, thought they look good what I can see of them. 

That's a bit more concerning, let's hope it's just the gaiter. HMC got a fresh one from chevronics so fingers crossed that's it unless another pipe nearby has had it. It'll become clear once we get into it. 

Am I right in thinking the system bleed screw by the sphere behind the engine? I'm assuming it is as it's  only in hand tight 

Yes, that’s the air bleed screw. 12mm head spanner if I remember correctly, only needs to be open a turn or so don’t back it right out 

[Marshall2810]

Well spent a few hours today on the GS now the socket arrived to take the cooling fan off. My mate came over with an adapter for the fat socket and wanted to help too. I can now confirm you do need to take the front of the car off to allow the fan shroud to be removed. 

With the cover off it we could access the pump and set about changing the gaiter. It wasn't split but the jubilee clips on it looked far too big and there was corrosion on the pump so think that's what was causing the leak. 

New gaiter on anyway and installed the pump back on

With the cover and fan back on we set about seeing it the repair held. Filled the LHM tank (no idea what the system capacity is as haynes hasn't arrived yet) but it took 2.5 litres and the float level rose to top. Fired her up and closed the bleed screw by the sphere behind the engine. No leaking from the gaiter we'd replaced so that was brilliant news and that's where the good news stops unfortunately. 

I opened the bleed screw to release any air that had built and saw LHM so tightened that up. I then noticed a large green puddle under the middle of the car behind the engine but can't see where it was coming from. Despite the float showing as good the light on dash is still illuminated as showing low LHM level I assume. Tried the brakes and couldn't see anything pissing out. There was no change in height when setting on any of the three height settings so am I missing something? Is there another pressure release valve somewhere? 

There was no hissing like I had when the high pressure front to back pipe went on the BX and covered everything. It seems more like a return pipe had popped off somewhere. What I can't understand is the level in the tank is still showing as good on the float and there no dripping like on a return line, with the engine running it'd constantly be pissing out.....confused. 

Without getting under it I can't see where the leaks coming from so put it to bed at the moment. 

 

 

[Stinkwheel]

4 hours ago, Marshall2810 said:

Well spent a few hours today on the GS now the socket arrived to take the cooling fan off. My mate came over with an adapter for the fat socket and wanted to help too. I can now confirm you do need to take the front of the car off to allow the fan shroud to be removed. 

With the cover off it we could access the pump and set about changing the gaiter. It wasn't split but the jubilee clips on it looked far too big and there was corrosion on the pump so think that's what was causing the leak. 

New gaiter on anyway and installed the pump back on

With the cover and fan back on we set about seeing it the repair held. Filled the LHM tank (no idea what the system capacity is as haynes hasn't arrived yet) but it took 2.5 litres and the float level rose to top. Fired her up and closed the bleed screw by the sphere behind the engine. No leaking from the gaiter we'd replaced so that was brilliant news and that's where the good news stops unfortunately. 

I opened the bleed screw to release any air that had built and saw LHM so tightened that up. I then noticed a large green puddle under the middle of the car behind the engine but can't see where it was coming from. Despite the float showing as good the light on dash is still illuminated as showing low LHM level I assume. Tried the brakes and couldn't see anything pissing out. There was no change in height when setting on any of the three height settings so am I missing something? Is there another pressure release valve somewhere? 

There was no hissing like I had when the high pressure front to back pipe went on the BX and covered everything. It seems more like a return pipe had popped off somewhere. What I can't understand is the level in the tank is still showing as good on the float and there no dripping like on a return line, with the engine running it'd constantly be pissing out.....confused. 

Without getting under it I can't see where the leaks coming from so put it to bed at the moment. 

 

 

You might have to cycle the bleed screw open closed a few times sometimes when their is air in the system and keep the revs up to get the lhm pump working hard.

after you find the leak of course 

[jonathan_dyane]

I think the LHM capacity is near to a gallon; it's full when the float is at the top with the suspension on high.

Sounds like there is another leak but I suspect you need to put more LHM in (with the suspension on low the reservoir wants to be full almost to the top) then run it with the bleed screw slackened (only one turn) then run the engine up for a few mins then tighten the screw. As @Stinkwheel says if it doesn't seem to be working slacken the bleed screw again then after another couple of mins retighten.

[Marshall2810]

15 hours ago, Stinkwheel said:

You might have to cycle the bleed screw open closed a few times sometimes when their is air in the system and keep the revs up to get the lhm pump working hard.

after you find the leak of course 

 

14 hours ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I think the LHM capacity is near to a gallon; it's full when the float is at the top with the suspension on high.

Sounds like there is another leak but I suspect you need to put more LHM in (with the suspension on low the reservoir wants to be full almost to the top) then run it with the bleed screw slackened (only one turn) then run the engine up for a few mins then tighten the screw. As @Stinkwheel says if it doesn't seem to be working slacken the bleed screw again then after another couple of mins retighten.

Thanks guys, most helpful.

I jacked her up and chocked the back to get a better look underneath as we couldn't see anything obvious yesterday other than a puddle. I'd forgotten how low these are on the bump stops so some wood helped 😂

So I added some more LHM, put it in the highest height setting as suggested and opened the bleed screw and waited. When I tightened it up we finally got some pressure and this happened 

 

I'm really pleased we actually built some pressure, lack of which was what confused me yesterday. Added to that spraying more or less directly onto the hot exhaust added to the drama and left me in no doubt where the problem is!

So the leak is directly underneath the heater duct thing, on removal looks like this:

The two nuts are loose and not screwing into whatever the black thing is above it. Tried holding one and tightening the other but it wasn't playing ball so I'll probably remove the black thing and see what's what. 

In the meantime when I get a manual I'll have a look at the handbrake as it works slightly but not a lot. That'll improve my confidence in moving it around as currently it's sketchy af and I don't fancy going under it without it in working order. 

Pleased with today, starting to make sense 

[jonathan_dyane]

Progress indeed!

The handbrake did work reasonably well but I wonder if the LHM has got on the brakes and is hindering its abilities.

I can't quite make it it out from the photo but the thing with the nuts looks like the clutch cable? 

[Marshall2810]

1 hour ago, jonathan_dyane said:

Progress indeed!

The handbrake did work reasonably well but I wonder if the LHM has got on the brakes and is hindering its abilities.

I can't quite make it it out from the photo but the thing with the nuts looks like the clutch cable? 

I think that's very likely with having the brakes in the engine bay. When a high pressure hose goes it just mists everything.

I'm not sure then, the clean red patch in the photo to the left of the nuts is from where the pressure has blasted the crud away so it's in that area. I'll do some more investigation when I've more time but so chuffed things are making sense now thanks to your help.