rickygolf83
Scotland
Mk2 Golf 8v & 16v, VR6, Nova Antibes, Mk4 1.8t & mk4 Gt Tdi 130
Posts: 560 
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Have they deemed these faults as MOT fails?
If not, get the minimum done to see it pass then work on the rest at your leisure. £1500 seems excessive to me too, given the parts listed above
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Dec 11, 2019 14:06:26 GMT
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Have they deemed these faults as MOT fails? If not, get the minimum done to see it pass then work on the rest at your leisure. £1500 seems excessive to me too, given the parts listed above All of the expensive bits they've deemed to be MOT fail issues. I'll be seeking a second opinion from my local garage (who have done the MOT on this car going back something like ten years). The rear radius arm bearings in particular have me scratching my head...they usually give years worth of warning before getting to the stage of being an issue at MOT time...and aside from a rattly exhaust I've been totally unaware of any issues at the back of the car. Likewise the LHM leaks...those areas have indeed been damp since before I got the car...but in two and a half years I've never had to add a drop of fluid, so it surely can't be leaking catastrophic amounts... Quite prepared to be proven wrong and it is all needed... something just feels off. Handing the loan car back after less than two hours having put £70 of diesel in (I was expecting to have it for several days and one longer trip, and picked it up running non fumes) did grate a bit too. |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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rickygolf83
Scotland
Mk2 Golf 8v & 16v, VR6, Nova Antibes, Mk4 1.8t & mk4 Gt Tdi 130
Posts: 560
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Dec 11, 2019 23:53:40 GMT
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Definitely a second opinion from the other place. Don't give them a heads up though, and see what they find 👍
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Definitely a second opinion from the other place. Don't give them a heads up though, and see what they find 👍 I've no worries about telling my garage what I've been told they've found....they know I'll always be coming back, and the biggest issue I get usually is getting them to charge me a sensible amount of money. Last job I had them do was a ball joint which turned into a massive battle for them spread over several days requiring half the nearside front of the car to be taken apart - they tried to charge me £30 or something daft like that...I virtually had to force an extra twenty quid or something into their hands. We'll get the car up on the ramps and go over the list with a fine tooth comb together. Same as we do at every MOT. They've put aside their old diesel smoke opacity tester for me to pick up on Friday following a recent upgrade. Same place as I got my old Crypton machine (soon to go to a new home) from too. We're all reading off the same page. Garages like this are a dying breed these days... |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Jan 28, 2020 23:49:14 GMT
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Took the Xantia over to my usual, trusted garage today to get a more realistic picture of what she needs for the MOT. First, the MOT fail list as presented by the original, supposedly Citroen specialist garage:  Then the MOT fail sheet produced this morning:  That seems rather more in keeping with what I had expected! I'll get the exhaust sorted out then I'll send it back in to them to sort the suspension arm bushes. We did find some play in another couple of bushes which weren't anywhere near enough to be an actual MOT issue, but they're things I already have in stock and will get changed at the same time. Hopefully she will be back on the road soon. I know that the seats in the Xantia are really soft and squidgy compared to anything these days, so it is kind of ridiculous that they feel really firm compared to those in the Jag. |
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Last Edit: Jan 28, 2020 23:51:20 GMT by Zelandeth
Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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That’s much better.
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Bicycle x1
Alfa Giulietta (now wife's)
Alfa 156
BMW 630i
Honda rc36
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rickygolf83
Scotland
Mk2 Golf 8v & 16v, VR6, Nova Antibes, Mk4 1.8t & mk4 Gt Tdi 130
Posts: 560
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Good result there!
I mind many years ago recommending my mate got his Prelude tested again somewhere else as the first test fail list was pretty extensive; 2nd place concurred with the list and added another two!
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For the first year since 2016, all hell has not been breaking loose and preventing me from being able to shop around to sort my car insurance on the Xantia, as in previous years it has, I've been getting utterly taken for a ride by Adrian Flux.
The renewal this year actually dropped for the first time in living memory, to just over £800, from just over a grand.
Sorted with another provider for £220 for better cover.
Not content with charging honestly laughable rates though it was discovered when I came to cancel the renewal that they have also managed to foul up my no claims discount at some point. Only 3 years shown...and it should be at least 15 (17 actually, but they only had 10+ as an option when I went in).
The policy I had with them (since about 2008 I think) was a multicar one, and the NCB was originally attached to the 107. Turns out that when I took that off cover in 2017 (because I sold it), rather than do the sensible thing and transfer it to another car on the multicar policy - or heaven forbid, ASK ME, they just left it floating around not attached to anything.
As that policy ended more than two years ago, the NCB is now dead and gone.
Am I being unreasonable in expecting for in that situation for the agent I was speaking to to say "Oh, there are 15 years NCB attached to this policy, what would you like to do with that?" If it's not automatically going to fall to the next vehicle I have on cover with them?
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Don't know.
At the start they would have calculated the premium for the policy based on which car you chose to use the ncd against.
The ncd is vehicle specific, you got rid of the car on which you got the ncd off the premium. I'm not sure I'd expect it to move onto another car either automatically or for them to highlight this to you.
I'm not a fan of insurance companies, I'm still driving around with a damaged wing and bumper from a claim a year ago. I just think you've made a mistake.
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I did eventually get back through to someone there who seemed to know what they were talking about. They agreed that when that policy was cancelled *specifically because* the reason for cancellation was "sale of vehicle" they should have asked me what I wanted to do with the NCD that was allocated against that policy. In the absence of instructions otherwise (i.e. if the operator I spoke to forgot to ask), if I had another policy active with them to which it could be applied (which I did), it should have automatically been transferred.
They were able to confirm that something should have been done, and that no end of policy NCD summary had ever been issued.
After no small amount of time on hold and head scratching on their side they were eventually able to get things reinstated. Sadly there are two years missing because there's a gap in the middle where it was in limbo...but this brings the total up to eleven years, which is a lot better than three. I'm calling getting them to admit that they messed up a win and leaving it there I think. Especially as they would have been within their rights to tell me that I should have spotted it sooner and brought it to their attention. The NCD figure is in there in the policy documents from when it was renewed last year - albeit in one solitary tiny box in a table about twenty pages into the thing. I had to look through it three times before I found it.
It's sorted now at least and I'm going to leave it at that. Not double checking that is a mistake I'll be making in the future though!
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Finally got the money refunded for the parts I ordered for the Xantia back in late February so a replacement replacement exhaust system has been ordered.
Of course since February I've lost the note of which bushes I need for the control arm now so will need to track that down later and get those reordered.
Oh, and a battery as that's producing about enough volts to run a pocket calculator.
The current to do list.
[] Change exhaust from cat back.
[] Replace nearside front lower control arm bushes (garage will be doing that).
[] Replace battery.
With a bit of luck that will get us a fresh ticket.
[] Replace rear discs and pads.
[] LHM change.
[] Change corner spheres.
[] Figure out a way to sort the air con leaks without removing 75% of the engine then recharge it.
...And marvel at how positively frugal its 23MPG will seem after using the Jag so much lately!
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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The new exhaust has now arrived for the Xantia.  Yay...The new exhaust is here so I can get that sorted. Boo!...That means I need to fit the exhaust. Have I mentioned that I truly despise exhaust work? It's a big step towards the car being back in service though...I'm *hoping* that the spherical type joints used will at least make it a bit easier to get this pattern system in place without too many headaches. I do note that judging from the logos stamped on it that it's from the same makers as the one on the van...Let's see if it has any more baffles in than that system does! |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Finally got around to dragging the Xantia back out from under the tree. The new exhaust has been here and getting tripped over on a daily basis for a couple of weeks now.  Was really surprised at how easy it was to remove the old system, whole lot was off in less than ten minutes.  While the front section at a glance looked generally to be OK, looking closer the front silencer has a couple of pinholes in it so obviously didn't have much time left. Patching up the flange that attaches to the tailpipe would indeed have been a false economy. No question as to whether the tailpipe was knackered though.  Very obvious that's beyond help. Sadly I then ran into a very typical pattern exhaust system problem.  The front pipe is about an inch shorter than it needs to be. I was pretty much out of energy by this point as that rear silencer weighs a tonne and trying to pick it up and wrestle the hangers into place (one of which is basically inaccessible thanks to suspension bits) is exceedingly uncomfortable when you're laying on your back. I'll go back in tomorrow and "finesse" the hangers a bit to see if I can get enough give to get it to reach. Which will mean I have to get it *off* the hangers again. That will be fun. If I can't make it reach there will be significant amounts of swearing. |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
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1996 Citroen Xantia 2.0T ActivaPhil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
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How is it the pattern ones are always an inch short, and at an awkward location too (so fitting an extension piece is tricky at best)? Had the same issue on a Volvo C70 - an inch too short on the heaviest bit. Annoys the heck out of me too.
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It's very much one of the shortcomings of this type of exhaust joint too. With the slip joints at least you've got some degree of flexibility with regards to length...not with these. The ends need to be in exactly the right spot to attach. Of course having just spent twenty minutes wrestling with it all I've learned is that I now can't get the blasted box back off the hangers... catching my breath then will go back for another shot.
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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After no small amount of swearing, wrestling with the thing and bashing stuff with a hammer, the exhaust is now fitted.  That was an absolute battle but we got there eventually. I've still only got two out of the three hangers on the rear silencer on though. I simply cannot get it into place and have all three on. Not with the available strength I have while laying on my back anyway. I may seek the assistance of someone with a proper ramp, experience and bigger hammers and hooky tools for wrangling exhaust hangers for that bit. Just waiting on new bushes for the nearside lower control arm to arrive then can get it back in for the MOT. Oh, after a thorough wash too. |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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duncanmartin
Club Retro Rides Member
Out of retro ownership
Posts: 1,320
Club RR Member Number: 70
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I only just noticed the number plate.  Niiice. |
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I hate exhaust work so feel your pain! Trouble is there are very few aftermarket exhaust manufacturers as many of the well known makes went bust or got taken over
The worst aftermarket stuff I ever came a cross was Euroflow, shocking stuff!
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a ramp is essential in my eyes. You can't really get enough of a swing of the hammer if it's on axle stands.
I fitted a new pattern exhaust on her yaris last year whilst the car was up in the air. Even with the help of the ramp I was still Steve irwin style wrestling the exhaust so good work doing the job on axle stands.
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Noticed when checking over the Xantia that the LHM was looking quite grim. There was quite a lot of foaming going on in the reservoir and the colour was definitely off. The foaming could also point at a leak on the suction side, but the anti-foaming properties of the fluid do break down over time. Time to get this emptied out.  The Pela was employed to empty the reservoir (I always forget how big it actually is) and a fresh fill of green blood was dropped in. Even after several full cycles of the suspension and steering to thoroughly circulate the fluid there's no foam now visible in the reservoir.  As the brake circuit is "blind ended" I'll need to bleed those to get the fresh fluid through to the wheels - she'll be getting a new set of pads (and discs at the rear) shortly anyway so I'll bleed the brakes through when that work is done. No air has been introduced to the system so it's not critical. While the rest of the car desperately needs a thorough clean at least the engine bay is still looking reasonably presentable for a 24 year old Citroen that's knocking on 150K miles.  Positive terminal cover is off the battery as that battery is knackered and I'm needing to jump start the car every time at the moment. I need to drop by Costco as this one is still well under warranty. It died (I think it's lost a cell) towards the end of last year...was planning to get it swapped out this Spring...then...well, yeah...2020 happened. Having had another look around the car, aside from a good clean so you can see out of it, no other MOT issues have leapt out at me. |
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Current fleet: 73 AC Model-70. 75 Rover 3500. 84 Trabant 601S. 85 Sinclair C5. 06 Peugeot Partner 1.6HDi.
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Niiice.