I'll AX this only once... though there is an Echo in here
Discussion
Spinakerr said:
Ugh that is annoying - good luck wiht the fettling on the Clio. Le Mans Classic next year? AX, Clio, 164?
I would certainly be up for that! Discussions had already begun about next year's Classic, all being well, in the AX again!I'm hoping to get some exhaust investigations done soon, but think the problem may not actually be the joint after all, but the emissions from the pipe....
darkyoung1000 said:
Spinakerr said:
Ugh that is annoying - good luck wiht the fettling on the Clio. Le Mans Classic next year? AX, Clio, 164?
I would certainly be up for that! Discussions had already begun about next year's Classic, all being well, in the AX again!I'm hoping to get some exhaust investigations done soon, but think the problem may not actually be the joint after all, but the emissions from the pipe....
While I remember, the next Classic is 2025, not next year. Blast. Still that gives me longer to plan a way around Rouen as I won't be able to drive the AX through there by then....
2023 is clearly the year of longer distance runs for the AX though. A phone call yesterday from my in-laws resulted in an unplanned day off today and a rescue trip to Criccieth.
Their Volvo estate was refusing to engage gears with the engine running... It will be recovered to York to who knows what fate, but first job was getting them, their luggage and the dog home.
6am start, queues on the M1 and M62 (no surprises there), but they were collected by 10am.
Back the same way with a quick top up in the services on the M62 on the way back due to a sudden spot of new exhaust induced range anxiety.
A 400 mile round trip, half of which was a lot heavier than the other half (although it is fortunately a small dog...) still saw 52mpg, so I needn't have worried too much!
Says a lot about the AX that I'll happily jump in it to do that of course!
2023 is clearly the year of longer distance runs for the AX though. A phone call yesterday from my in-laws resulted in an unplanned day off today and a rescue trip to Criccieth.
Their Volvo estate was refusing to engage gears with the engine running... It will be recovered to York to who knows what fate, but first job was getting them, their luggage and the dog home.
6am start, queues on the M1 and M62 (no surprises there), but they were collected by 10am.
Back the same way with a quick top up in the services on the M62 on the way back due to a sudden spot of new exhaust induced range anxiety.
A 400 mile round trip, half of which was a lot heavier than the other half (although it is fortunately a small dog...) still saw 52mpg, so I needn't have worried too much!
Says a lot about the AX that I'll happily jump in it to do that of course!
The AX has been busy of late, my other half has been using it to head out to Filey on a regular basis, clocking up the miles. I've also been using it to drop bits and pieces off the the Corrado.
It's blown another nearside sidelight bulb for some reason, same as last time so possibly some issue there...
The new exhaust appears to have liberated some horses too with definite approval given for noise and power. I'm still not sure what the MOT outcome would be, as I'm unsure as to whether the stainless system has a Cat in it or not. One for the emissions test.
In more recent developments, having sold the Volvo estate, then needed a tow car and used the AX for that purpose, time to take it to the next level...
Why yes, that is a full height freezer, why do you ask...?
Crucial to secure the bonded glass and plastic boot lid carefully of course....
A successful trip through torrential rain across town listening to the exhaust in full cry through the open boot!
Load adequately secured and numberplate visible, win. I was going to take the passenger seat out, but I'm glad I didn't in the end.
It's blown another nearside sidelight bulb for some reason, same as last time so possibly some issue there...
The new exhaust appears to have liberated some horses too with definite approval given for noise and power. I'm still not sure what the MOT outcome would be, as I'm unsure as to whether the stainless system has a Cat in it or not. One for the emissions test.
In more recent developments, having sold the Volvo estate, then needed a tow car and used the AX for that purpose, time to take it to the next level...
Why yes, that is a full height freezer, why do you ask...?
Crucial to secure the bonded glass and plastic boot lid carefully of course....
A successful trip through torrential rain across town listening to the exhaust in full cry through the open boot!
Load adequately secured and numberplate visible, win. I was going to take the passenger seat out, but I'm glad I didn't in the end.
Edited by darkyoung1000 on Saturday 5th August 11:17
The AX continues to fulfil the role vacated by the Volvo - Friday was shifting a heavy wooden desk across town for a friend. Who needs a large, easy access boot anyway...?
It's also been clocking up the miles with regular trips to Filey, and yesterday, after some minor fettling to secure a slightly lower indicator, a 200+ mile round trip to the Ingram show.
The car loped along the A19 happily, then enjoyed some fun on the Coldstream Road before driving across a field to allow us to watch Border Collies doing their thing....
Still happily returning 50+mpg on runs like this, although a look at the suspension is in order as there is a definite rubbing noise from the rear wheel arch upon hard cornering....
Please let it not be the rear subframe bushes.
It's also been clocking up the miles with regular trips to Filey, and yesterday, after some minor fettling to secure a slightly lower indicator, a 200+ mile round trip to the Ingram show.
The car loped along the A19 happily, then enjoyed some fun on the Coldstream Road before driving across a field to allow us to watch Border Collies doing their thing....
Still happily returning 50+mpg on runs like this, although a look at the suspension is in order as there is a definite rubbing noise from the rear wheel arch upon hard cornering....
Please let it not be the rear subframe bushes.
Edited by darkyoung1000 on Sunday 10th September 19:25
Ticked over 84365 miles this weekend.
Changed oil and filter (Crossland and Halfords/Castrol 10w40)
Lubricated bonnet catch
Changed number plate screws
Checked brake pad retaining pins (O/S bottom one is seized in place and will need cutting out when pads need doing). Drove out and applied copper slip to remaining 3 then reassembled.
Plenty of life left on pads and disks seem fine (advantage of such a light car).
Applied copper slip to mating face of wheels and hubs as off side was stuck on.
Changed oil and filter (Crossland and Halfords/Castrol 10w40)
Lubricated bonnet catch
Changed number plate screws
Checked brake pad retaining pins (O/S bottom one is seized in place and will need cutting out when pads need doing). Drove out and applied copper slip to remaining 3 then reassembled.
Plenty of life left on pads and disks seem fine (advantage of such a light car).
Applied copper slip to mating face of wheels and hubs as off side was stuck on.
There's a 'to do list developing, just in time for the worst of the weather. The good news is, that some of it will be for others to do...
First up, this gift from a lorry, likely to be an insurance job, although it might be repaired rather than replaced:
The aerial has been snapped off the roof mount in an unfortunate reversing incident, but as the radio has never worked, that's more of an aesthetic issue, and can wait for warmer drier weather...
The thermostat sticking open however, is more of a pain. The output from the heater has diminished considerably, and the fuel economy is worse (the emergency petrol can had to be deployed earlier in the week).
I have a thermostat, I just need a slightly drier day on the run up to Christmas to sort it, before the complicated Christmas logistics happen involving multiple vehicles and Boxing Day workings...
In the meantime, and in Episode 3 of 'We Definitively Don't Regret Selling the Estate Car Honest' have some comedy photos of the new low rider look...
24 no. 450mm2 paving slabs and 6 bags of sharp sand. About an additional 400kg or so, and enough to drag the rear mud flaps on tarmac over bumps.
Still, this:
Was turned into this:
and was celebrated by taking the long way back home to enjoy having a light car again!
First up, this gift from a lorry, likely to be an insurance job, although it might be repaired rather than replaced:
The aerial has been snapped off the roof mount in an unfortunate reversing incident, but as the radio has never worked, that's more of an aesthetic issue, and can wait for warmer drier weather...
The thermostat sticking open however, is more of a pain. The output from the heater has diminished considerably, and the fuel economy is worse (the emergency petrol can had to be deployed earlier in the week).
I have a thermostat, I just need a slightly drier day on the run up to Christmas to sort it, before the complicated Christmas logistics happen involving multiple vehicles and Boxing Day workings...
In the meantime, and in Episode 3 of 'We Definitively Don't Regret Selling the Estate Car Honest' have some comedy photos of the new low rider look...
24 no. 450mm2 paving slabs and 6 bags of sharp sand. About an additional 400kg or so, and enough to drag the rear mud flaps on tarmac over bumps.
Still, this:
Was turned into this:
and was celebrated by taking the long way back home to enjoy having a light car again!
Jhonno said:
Bobberoo said:
You're not going to leave those slabs all uneven like that are you???
Not just me who was getting itchy teeth about it then? 
I'd also be lying if I said that it also didn't irk me slightly (especially the different sizes
). The resident was happy though!Onto some AX stuff though, cooling system related - the suspected stuck open thermostat.
Nice and easy to get to - no drain plug so remove the bottom hose and the rusty looking coolant pours out - that might be why it stuck open then.... Pipe off the housing, pull the old 'stat out and flush both the radiator and block/system with the hose.
Then out with the old and in with the new...
Ah... how very mid-90s French Hatchback of you.
Not entirely unexpected of course, I'm actually surprised if a part I've ordered for this car turns out to be correct first time...
There followed an enjoyable filter across town to the motor factors on the 250 which had been left free for just this purpose!
CTS checked their database again, declared the part they had supplied matched the manufacturer data according to the registration....then said... but there is another listed as well. Bien sur. A quick rummage supplied the correct matching part, a £3 refund and an unnecessary apology. Excellent service from them, they are fast becoming my motor factor of choice!
In the intervening time, it had got dark and started raining, and I had got hungry. Eating didn't make it dry or light, but did provide enough motivation for me to break out the super light and crack on using an appropriate header tank.
Now filled with a mixture of green HOAT coolant mixed 50/50 with de-ionised water and bled up. It's always slightly nerve wracking until the thermostat opens, there's a massive burp from the header tank and you know most of the air is out...
More so on this occasion when the fan seems to take an age to kick in!
That will hopefully make it a little warmer in the cabin for winter though!
Bobberoo said:
Excellent update thanks, good to see it's still in daily use!!
Thank you! It faithfully fulfilled Christmas travelling duties, putting another 400-odd miles under its wheels on Christmas Day - unfortunately, the thermostat change has not improved matters in terms of cabin heat output - or rather, it appeared to have made a difference while the car was static, then failed in real word conditions!The thermotstat opened/opens so its working and allowing coolant to the radiator at a pre-detemined temperature.
It blows warm (not hot) air from the vents when the engine is up to temperature so the heater matrix is functioning.
Above a certain speed however, the warm air vanishes from the vents and cannot be coaxed to return until the car is back to town speeds - given the large amount of dual carriageway driving on Christmas day, this meant an...alert drive home.
My thoughts are either that I have an air lock in the system (I would have suspected overheating rather than overcooling though).
The thermostat supplied has the wrong temperature set, and is opening too early allowing to engine to 'over cool'
The heater matrix is gunged up and needs flushing out.
There's no temperature gauge in the car, and no OBD port, so that makes diagnosis a little tricker. Any other suggestions on what I might have missed? I suppose the first step is to empty it again, flush the matrix with a hose and try and see if I can pursuade my thermal camera into action with a pan of water and the new 'stat.
The MPG remains lower than it has been (about 45mpg) suggesting that the engine isn't operating as efficiently as normal as well which points me towards the 'over cooling' theory...the reason for changing the thermostat in the first place!
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