Bally's Xsara Coupe - 1.8 16V - 2000 02

[Bally]

Yesterday we replaced the timing belt and related things as well as new driveshaft seals, antifreeze, gearbox oil, cooler temp sender...
While at it had a look at why the oil gauge was not working (it just went up and down 3x before going out at startup). What I didn't realize was that the oil level sender and the water temp sender (to the ecu) are both green with the same looking plug going onto them.
Took a wild guess and swapped them - and believe it or not, problem solved

[The Wrinkly Ninja]

Nice, but does look like the VTR ride height to me.

[Bally]

Nice, but does look like the VTR ride height to me.

Yes, BDM calls it VTR, but its VTS for the ol' continent

[The Wrinkly Ninja]

Exactly - confusin' innit?

[Bally]

Exactly - confusin' innit?

I wish this was my biggest problem

[Bally]

Long time since last post.
So.
Fixed the CD changer, the HU was at fault, placing a 22RC200/65 from a pug solved that one.
Of course there are some niggles, like the colour of the LCD, or if not that, then the way the illumination works.
Ah well, you can't win them all...
My fuel gauge also cured itself, running on full tank seems to do the trick. 1.5 months and the display is accurate (almost, its a Citroen )
Apart from that? Nothing. Consumption is at about 8 litres / 100 kms, city driving.

[The Wrinkly Ninja]

About 35mpg - not bad round town. Could be a lot worse.

[Bally]

About 35mpg - not bad round town. Could be a lot worse.

I was hoping for this really
I sacrificed ~50HP for this better consumption... my S16 was doing ~25-27MPGs under the same conditions.

[The Wrinkly Ninja]

And what would you have done with that 50 bhp. Got to the next traffic light 0,035 seconds quicker and woken up 2 dozing post-mistresses?

[Bally]

And what would you have done with that 50 bhp. Got to the next traffic light 0,035 seconds quicker and woken up 2 dozing post-mistresses?

Not exactly - I tend to have brains not just as counterweight
Track days. For the young at heart

[Bally]

The dash gave me a slight fright on friday when the stop sign and the (!) sign started flickering on and off, sometimes for a split second, then for a few seconds. And the beeping...
The car came with no handbook so I had to hunt the well known spanish version to see that it actually is the break fluid warning. Topped it up and all is well.
I guess the pads will need to be replaced as there is no visible leak for where the fluid might have gone.

[The Wrinkly Ninja]

Very likely - don't rely on a dashboard warning for pad wear - only some models have it, and even then it can be a bit erratic. Good, old fashioned Mk. 1 eyeball.

[Bally]

Very likely - don't rely on a dashboard warning for pad wear - only some models have it, and even then it can be a bit erratic. Good, old fashioned Mk. 1 eyeball.

Right
The light/indicator stalk started "playing up" today, it's only a sound as yet but we all know where it leads to.
So the project for the week is to disassemble the thing, remove the copper laden grease and regrease - that should do it (like in any old 306) - or so I hope.

[Bally]

First of all - Happy New Year everyone!

So... a long time since my last "update".
Not much happened, had a very bad knock develop from the NS front suspension.
Changed the lower ball joint as there was some play in it but that didn't solve the issue.
The droplinks did not get changed as those are ~new, replaced during the spring/summer.
Took a deep breath and swapped the struts, strut bearing and strut cushion / mount.
And this didn't silence the thing either.

[Bally]

On closer inspection it turned out that there are two more things that need my attention.
1 - the steering rack has some play in its main shaft
2 - the stabilizer bar silent block on the right side might be worn
For financial reasons I opted to do the latter first, but on both sides.
I ordered the parts and although the parts came from Citroen based on my VIN they ended up being small in diameter. Funny thing is that the knock disappeared upon reassembling everything with the original parts...
Anyway, got another set, this time bigger diameter bushings and replaced the original ones.
No more knocking