Oil fading - good. Valve stem seals ?.. Seats??

The emulsion is dwindling, will probably still whip out the thermostat to inspect a bit closer and clean it up, there's bound to be some sludgy deposits in and around it, but also the lower temp (I put a 75 degree one back in, not the original 88 one) makes me feel safer. Mostly short journeys just in case, but the temp needle has come up after around 5 mins in each case.

Still, the positioning of the temp sender is a mystery to me!!! Maybe it's common, but the setup means that if you don't get a temperature reading at all it probably means your car is overheating due to a stuck thermostat!! At least when my Sierra had the same trouble, I KNEW it was overheated because the gauge was off the red.

I get the feeling I knackered one or two valve stem seals, to be honest I am not sure where they end up sitting and exactly HOW they stop oil dripping down the guides. But I am getting some oily bursts of smoke. Not the "worn piston ring" type of smoke puff, also compression still good. Seals I am sure of it, a couple of them were a bit ragged when I re-fitted, didn't realise the importance. This must be the trouble.

Another head job next year!!! But no biggie. Old hand at that now!!

Had first play with new seat covers, bases seem like they should be easy enough. Just need to plan and take care. Putting it off a little while longer, as with the electronic ignition conversion!! What else to say.. Crappy weather means infrequent journeys. Biggest floods since 1947 apparently. The Citroen is definitely playing her part. Very wise move.

Thermostat back in again

Since the coolant seems to be relatively free of oil now, have decided to re-fit thermostat. No totally sure about this. Wonder if it is really worth it. But in for a penny!!

Firstly drained the coolant again, rad tap is working now - so at least that is easier. Fixed that whilst doing the CH gasket for the second time.

Makes it much easier to also check things out. I'll be too nervous to just leave the thermostat in place now, without double checking it isn't getting clogged up like I assume happened the previous time.

Then pretty much clock work 10 minute job, no need to get proper tools out either. Just the basics. So only a small set of pictures. Same as last time really. First run has dragged some emulsion out of the system, but hoping that is the higher temperature clearing out more oil that was left behind. But as mentioned - will be checking! Don't want to blow her up again..

Still hoping I won't regret this.. Tempted to do a U-turn already after only one run!!

Coolant flush

Basic job done at last, that should have been tackled ages ago, but more fundamental issues got in the way!

Since I am hoping that the constant build up of oil in the water (not the other way around strangely) was down to other issues, I have at last drained all of the old coolant, flushed around with plain water and then refilled with 1/5 antifreeze. Should be enough, may add some more antifreeze maybe, but main thing is interested to see if the oil / emulsion build up continues or if it has stopped.

Then will perhaps re-fit thermostat.

Plugs out again, looking a touch rich perhaps, but only a little. Certainly OK looking, another good sign.

Still nervous

Over a month gone, more importantly getting on for 150 miles since CH Gasket was re-done. So far so good, frustrating weather because the driving opportunities continue to be limited. Today was the first time driven in a week and starting was a bit tricky. But still all seems fine.

Can't help but still be nervous though. But happy to be behind the wheel as ever.

Nice day out

After all the rubbish weather, today was slated to be a nice day. Great opportunity to go out with the family. Wife, daughter and I across the front seat. Around 20 miles round trip. Just to the shops, around a bit and back again. But this was back to what it was supposed to be.

Nice, pleasant laid back driving. No issues. Overhearing comments of "that's gorgeous" referring to the car. Chatting with people about it.

Sunglasses on. Happy days.

Days like today have been few and far between, time of year hasn't helped. But just have half an eye on the coming Spring / Summer and looking forward to carefree days, easy starts and no covering!!

Car at work - 7 No issues / Electronic Ignition

Another year starts, Amy has celebrated her 60th birthday and life gradually returns to normal. Weather has been absolutely atrocious over Christmas and New Year. High winds, heavy rain. Roof tiles ripped off the house, therefore leaky roof and also the house springing leaks in other places too. Still a lot of people / areas of the country far worse off than us, so still should be thankful. Roofers arrived today to fix the tiles, have hopefully sealed the other leaks. Amy has similar issues but has remained dry because she's undercover!

Needless to say, due to that, there have not been too many driving opportunities over that period. Exactly why I got the Citroen and it's done it's job. Done a couple of hundred miles in Becky, which means that Amy has been able to stay undercover throughout all of it.

Today, off to work, first forecasted nice day in ages so it was a no brainer, it's Amy's turn. Off come the covers, start her up (OK - with the aid of carb cleaner again - substitute for Easy Start.. it does the job). Nice uneventful journey to work. Nice. First "car at work" shot of 2014. But I REALLY must stop taking these pictures.

 

On a separate note, I have ordered and received an electronic ignition conversion kit. New Dizzy, new Coil and new HT Leads. Only £100 and all the write ups seem to indicate it's a good move. Escpecially as I will keep the old working stuff as backup. So just need to decide when to take the plunge and fit that. A bit nervous about it. Also need to plan and fit the new seat covers. Eventually!

Happy 60th Birthday!

So, according to the log book, Amy was first registered on 4th January 1954. Now that was the first working day in January that year, so I'll take it with a pinch of salt whether that means that date specifically or whether it means January 1954 or even that she was just registered for the first time THAT YEAR.

But for the purposes of recognising that my car is 60 YEARS OLD!! That will do.

So Happy Birthday. Nice new set of wheel trims fitted. Contrary to one of my first entries in this blog, I'll not be painting the wheels cream! A quite stunning looking car actually. Looking good for her age!!

A40 Somerset - 60 years old today!