BX Mk1 estate - Mojo returns, alternator fails

[dollywobbler]

Wow. That Jersey BX is an epic spot! So, a few are still lurking out there. Makes me feel better to be honest. Not sure I'd like driving around in something unique.

[mattblack]

You need these guys on the case...

 

[Cavcraft]

Fantastic stuff Ian, another quality thread with an ace car featured and really looking forward to seeing how this progresses. Don't know if it'll be any help but off to Louth (assuming you mean Louth in Lincolnshire) in the next few weeks, so if there's owt you want bringing back in this general direction drop me a pm.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks Billy. Might well be some stuff on my wish list.

 

Just given it a hose down and got it running again - it isn't entirely happy to be using the Range Rover's old battery, as it's too big and the terminals are the wrong size. Starts well enough though, suspension seems to be working and it goes and stops. Now letting it dry off before getting it into the garage, up on stands and wheels off for brake assessment and to try and sort out that rear wing. Exhaust has a really bad leak, which I haven't entirely traced yet. Easier with it up in the air and safely prevented from dropping on me though!

[HillmanImp]

That really looks awful. Good work for picking it up mind you, I hope it can be put right.

[mattblack]

...the terminals are the wrong size.

 

Have you tried hammering a smaller socket over them?

[M'coli]

The battery will be fine, it's the alternator that's the problem.

 

Well done on a fantastic save, although I can see why - that dashboard has been designed by a box of mad Frogs! Good luck with getting it sorted, if you hear of any parts you need close to me, give me a shout and I'll start them on their journey.

[Captain Mainwaring]

Another chapter in the Wobbler saga begins. What a brilliant acquisition.

 

I properly love the BX, such a bizarre and endearingly hefty car, and the insane dash just sticks the cherry on. Wish you all the very best with it, and hope you can get her looking like she ought to.

[Pete-M]

Monsieur Wobbler, if you get bored of the Rangie, a LHD one would be rather useful to me...

[dollywobbler]

Monsieur Wobbler, if you get bored of the Rangie, a LHD one would be rather useful to me...

 

Er, my Rangie is RHD! Still might find itself up for sale soon though...

 

Have been doing a bit of a pre-MOT this afternoon, which revealed merely a blown number plate bulb and no screenwash due to an empty reservoir. Can't feel very much play in the front wheels and all brakes seem ok. Oh, and the blowing exhaust - but I know where the leak is. Tempted just to bodge it with a metal wrap and some hoseclips for now. Before an MOT, I need a radiator and driver's mirror glass, and it's probably sensible to lob a new cambelt on it too. Might fit an aftermarket temp gauge as well - always annoyed me in my last BX not having one. That'll make checking that the electric fan cuts in easier as I'll actually know how hot it is!

[Father Ted]

Might fit an aftermarket temp gauge as well - always annoyed me in my last BX not having one. That'll make checking that the electric fan cuts in easier as I'll actually know how hot it is!

 

Had it been a Mk 2 it would have been an easy fit to rip one off a Pug 205 and fit to the dash all unobtrusive like and looking like it was factory fit.

But its not.

So it wont.

[scooters]

huge amount of respect in your direction Ian - that Dash is AWSUM ..I had no idea the early BX's had a different one from 'the pod'

 

Does the car had a decent number of plastic panels or are you going to have to get the dollys out?

[boobydoo]

I'm afraid I have no idea what the difference between a Mk1 and Mk 2 BX is , but as everyone is getting all horned up over it , I want to join in!!

 

YIPPPEEEEE!!!!!! You got your work cut out there, boyo. Da iawn!

[Timewaster]

Now letting it dry off before getting it into the garage, up on stands and wheels off for brake assessment

 

It won't like that.....

Loves driving, Hates garages

[worldofceri]

I had no idea early BX estates were so rare. Every day's a school day.

[Craig the Princess]

Loves driving, Hates garages

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqRzpi-cX-c

 

(crossing over with the tv ads thread)

[dollywobbler]

huge amount of respect in your direction Ian - that Dash is AWSUM ..I had no idea the early BX's had a different one from 'the pod'

 

Does the car had a decent number of plastic panels or are you going to have to get the dollys out?

 

Bonnet and tailgate are plastic, but there's a lot of metal. Maybe I should rename myself Dollywielder...

 

Boobydoo - main differences between BX Mk1 and 2 are front indicators (small and orange replaced by large and white), bumpers, dashboard (actual column stalks shared with early 205s on the Mk2 BX rather than wacky pods) and door mirrors. Front subframe is on bearings rather than bushes on the Mk1 IIRC and I think the ride is meant to be a touch softer. Not had chance to find out yet!

 

Rear lights did not change between Mk1 and Mk2, but the Mk2 did get a facelift around H plate when the rear lights (hatch only) were changed.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Aren't the front wings also made of plastic (or even some kind of heavy-duty carton)?

[dollywobbler]

Judging by the way they rot, no - unless the French found a way to make even plastic rust.

[Cavcraft]

Some had metal bonnets, some had plastic on the Mk2 at least. Also seem to recall some were short nose, others were long. I *think* some had plastic wings but been out of the BX game for a while now so stand to be corrected.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Hmm...interesting. There was a small garage breaking Citroens (mostly wrecked chod from France and Belgium) where I grew up in Greece (the idea of both urban planning and H&S during the eighties being that you could have a mini-scrapyard in the ground floor of a block of flats!), and i remember seeing a cut-off BX wing where the material didn't look very metallic.

[dollywobbler]

Well, the French did use their own version of metal! Plastic replacement wings were available for a time I think.

 

Thanks to a friendly chap on BX Club, I've just collected a pair of wheels and tyres that should be MOT-proof. Urgent must-haves are a radiator and a driver's door mirror - both of which I'm in the process of locating. Then I think I'm just going to lob it in for the test and see what it fails on. Hopefully next week...

[Guest]

Just out of interest, what carb's it got?

[dollywobbler]

Just out of interest, what carb's it got?

 

No carb. Have I forgotten to mention that it's a diesel? Yeah, probably. Can't really see the point in a petrol BX unless it's a GTi.

[chaseracer]

...seem to recall some were short nose, others were long...

Are you getting mixed up with Renault 21s there, Billy?

[dollywobbler]

Nope. Billy's right. Some BXs (I think Mk2 only) had a small grille beneath the leading edge of the bonnet, so you get short and long nose even though the nose is the same length, if you see what I mean.

[chaseracer]

Ah, yes. Understood.

 

[garethj]

When I worked at Serck's they made an aftermarket radiator for the BX diesel. I remember this because bleeding the cooling system after fitting it was a right pain, that bloody red BX spent more time with its bonnet up than down.

 

Beware this when you fit a new rad, Ian!

[eddyramrod]

Epic! Don't fix the damage any more than you have to, it looks just right as-is!

[warren t claim]

 

Just wait till this beastie wants attention.