ABS & Handbrake Light - the last straw!

[Doggy]

Doggy (if he's about) - what would you reccommend on a cambelt change? I'm thinking water pump & aux belt as I don't think 2.2s have the bottom pulley issue.

Also, is anybody up for the challenge of a C5 deFAP? Will happily pay for services rendered.

When I did my cambelt, I fitted the kit, (Gates belt, tensioner, idler), also aux belt, tensioner & idler. I carefully examined the bottom pulley & checked the water pump for play & any sign of leakage. Finding none, (& knowing the car pretty well), I left both, as I think they'll outlive the rest of it.

Regarding a deFAP, you could do worse than have a trip up this way - I can de-FAP your ecu & once you know that works, Ian's an hour up the road to 'sympathetically convert' your DPF with his precision kinetic implements.

(I'm kinda on the same page as he is on C5 aesthetics. They've got lovely armrests so I tried to like them, but failed a lot quicker than with the 407)

[waue1978]

I don't especially think they're a pretty car, but they are bloody comfortable & handle superbly. As far as fond memories go, I do in a way. When we had the first one we took it to Ireland & over some of the worst roads most people could imagine, but was nowhere near as noticeable as it had been in the Beemers or even in the Zafira since then & the boot was huge for a hatch. The only real reason it got sold on was because of the FAP - my constant local runs would have kept clogging it & it would never get warm enough to regenerate. Back in 2006 FAP servicing was a dealer only job - managed to get it cleaned & the eolys filled by a friend, but the Citroen dealer wouldn't reset the additive counter unless we got them to do it, so we sold it on to a guy who had a friend working in his local Citroen garage.

Doggy - I'd be well up for a trip up your way & then on to Ian's. Was actually contemplating getting a knackered FAP from Coupe breaker Ade, so I could get it hammered out & just do the straight swap, but would love to get a good look at Ian's 2.2 close up - especially after seeing that GT4.

Ian - there are a lot of pre-2000 cars that I'd happily own again, but with the W-reg private plate I'm a bit limited to later stuff. Have very fond memories of my old Mk2 Mondeo & Merc 190E, whilst E36 & E34 Beemers are still good cars by today's standards.

[plod]

I was asked yesterday whether i'd like to do some bookwork for a mechanic, but he doesn't want to be involved with the tax, so wants to be invoiced as a contractor
I'm thinking of just getting him to do work on the plodmobile instead for payment and continue to run it, and improve it, as it just seems latter cars just give more and more problems
Would still love a 2.2, either in 406 guise, or a 407 SW XS Sport - one down the road in Birmingham for 5 lumps in blue - but the electrical gremlins do bother me a tad

[waue1978]

Took a trip out to have a look at the 2 C5s today. Bit of a let down really. The red one did look promising, but there are heavy scuffs on all 4 corners & dents & scrapes on the doors like mine. Thought I'd give it a chance though as I'd only be needing work done on the bumpers & 1 door.

Before I even got it out of his driveway - DIESEL ADDITIVE MINIMUM LEVEL. Admittedly not a massive issue if intending to get rid of the FAP, but ideally I do need it to be ok for long enough to get the deFAP sorted & still use it in the meantime & there was no real way of telling how long it had been like that & how soon it would be before ANTI POLLUTION makes an appearance. Then, halfway to his garage I put my foot down in 4th gear & got the same vibration as I experienced in Doggy's 180bhp beasty (safe to say the DMF was on the way if it couldn't handle the standard power) but this time it was accompanied by a heavy dose of clutch slip.

Strangely enough though, the advert has now been removed, so he either managed to sell to somebody else or he did some checking up on what I told him about the FAP & decided it'd be less hassle to send it to auction along with a couple of others he was sending.

By now, was a bit peed off, so didn't bother looking at the blue one again. If it's still available the next time I get 3-4 hours of free time I'll see if I can take that for a 10mile jaunt without any messages coming up.

Was definitely a nice comfortable drive though.

[wasp]

I don't especially think they're a pretty car, but they are bloody comfortable & handle superbly. As far as fond memories go, I do in a way. When we had the first one we took it to Ireland & over some of the worst roads most people could imagine, but was nowhere near as noticeable as it had been in the Beemers or even in the Zafira since then & the boot was huge for a hatch. The only real reason it got sold on was because of the FAP - my constant local runs would have kept clogging it & it would never get warm enough to regenerate. Back in 2006 FAP servicing was a dealer only job - managed to get it cleaned & the eolys filled by a friend, but the Citroen dealer wouldn't reset the additive counter unless we got them to do it, so we sold it on to a guy who had a friend working in his local Citroen garage.

Doggy - I'd be well up for a trip up your way & then on to Ian's. Was actually contemplating getting a knackered FAP from Coupe breaker Ade, so I could get it hammered out & just do the straight swap, but would love to get a good look at Ian's 2.2 close up - especially after seeing that GT4.

Ian - there are a lot of pre-2000 cars that I'd happily own again, but with the W-reg private plate I'm a bit limited to later stuff. Have very fond memories of my old Mk2 Mondeo & Merc 190E, whilst E36 & E34 Beemers are still good cars by today's standards.

Hey M8 hows it going? looking at c5's? im tempted by one of those tanks ...re faps n cats.. i hear they are going to be checked on mot's next yearish???? ie if fitted with one from new,one must be fitted when tested..? also vosa looking into software that will detect ecu chipping/remapping..? maybe someone knows for sure..
Dave

[waue1978]

Hey M8 hows it going? looking at c5's? im tempted by one of those tanks ...re faps n cats.. i hear they are going to be checked on mot's next yearish???? ie if fitted with one from new,one must be fitted when tested..? also vosa looking into software that will detect ecu chipping/remapping..? maybe someone knows for sure..
Dave

Not too bad mate. Think the problem with the 2.2s that I'm looking at is that they all have the FAP already due for removal/service (hence why they got part exed & why they're so cheap) & I really need it to at least be clear when I get it so that I have time to make the removal arrangements.

As far as the MOT goes, pretty sure the FAP removal is safe, but they are going to be checking for the cat. Here's the info I found:

Tonight I attended what is known as an MOT seminar, basically the head honchos from VOSA go to each area, and talk about the MOT scheme, including changes to the test.

As I said in the thread about the new EU directive, as soon as I knew what was changing in the MOT test I would post it up. These changes are to be brought into the test on 1st January 2012, not before. So here goes...

Steering lock operation - Steering locks not engaging when the ignition key is removed will fail.
Engine warning lamps, brake fluid warning lamps, ESP lamps, EPB lamps illumination - ANY of the above illuminated indicating a fault will fail.TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring systems) warning lamps - Again, if illuminated indicating a fault, will fail.Airbag/SRS lamp illumination - If this warning lamp is illuminated it will fail.
HID Headlamps - Now, a little grey area here. They will be included in the new test, and will fail if they prove to be outside of the specified conditions... but the conditions and reasons for rejections haven't been written/decided yet, so sit tight.
Wiring - Any wiring (loomed or otherwise) that is damaged, or fitted in such a way that could cause damage to said wiring, or other systems will fail.
Engine mountings - Engine mountings will be a part of the test. incorrect mounting, corrosion in a prescribed area etc will fail.
PAS (Power assisted steering) fluid level will be tested.
Rear doors must open in the new test. Previously (and currently), if the tester feels he can access the testable items in the rear (seatbelts, prescribed areas etc) without needing the doors open, they don't need to open. This will now be a failure.
13 pin towbar sockets - tested for correct operation using a plug in testing tool.
Inappropriate modifications or repairs - The wording on this is quite vague at the moment, but if a major component has been modified, and that modification/repair makes the vehicle dangerous or seriously weakens the original component, expect it to fail.
ANY ball joint dust cover - The small rubber boots over ball joints must be intact and free or splits, tears or holes, or it fails.
All CVJ gaiters will be tested - Currently, only the front outer] CVJ gaiters are tested. This new rule extends it to inner and outer, front and rear.
A catalytic converter missing WILL be a reason for failure, regardless of whether or not the emissions limits are met.
Fuel pipe chaffing or damage - Currently they only fail when they are leaking, this rule means that any chaffing or rubbing causing damage will fail.
The braking imbalance limit is lowered to 30% across all axles.
Vehicles built post July 2010 will have to have at least 58% braking efficiency to pass (currently it's 50% for a dual circuit braking system)
Insecure batteries will become a failure
The main beam warning lamp must illuminate with the main beam lamps
All light switches must operate the corresponding lights immediately. No tapping, or wiggling to make it work!


Remember, these changes will all be brought into testing starting from the 1st January 2012. The exact wording of each failure has yet to be released, but the above list is what was presented to us earlier this evening. I've posted all I know currently, so unfortunately I can't help with any questions ."

Feel free to pop round next time you're about & we can have a catch up.

[waue1978]

Ordered £300 worth of bits from Eurocarparts last week & took advantage of the 25% discount. Got 2 new driveshafts (which they sent me 2 of the same side) 2 CV boot kits (didn't realise the driveshafts already had new ones) front brake discs, front brake pads & 2L of transmission oil.

Thankfully the ABS ring that was knackered was on the side that they gave me driveshafts for, so I got that one fitted to fix the non stop ABS kicking in & will be getting the other side done sometime next week when Eurocarparts have supplied me with the correct part.