Xantia Activa
This Activa has been in the same family from new!
It was used for lots of European family holidays but the last 12 years it has been stood unused on the owners driveway.
When the car was delivered it was low on suspension, covered in green algae and wouldn’t run.
It was very hard to estimate a costing on getting it going again but our client was realistic and aware not many people would take the job on.
Worryingly being an Activa parts are very rare for these models now so this added to our concerns.
We chatted between ourselves and it was agreed we need to get the car running and the wiring loom rebuilt in places where it had been damaged.
After many hours working out what was wrong the car eventually started and the car tried to rise.
Sadly there were many LHM leaks from metal pipes bursting and rubber return hoses split and leaking.
We worked though the burst pipes and return lines some very difficult to fit due to lack of access.
For now we didn’t want to replace all the lines as this is costly and you don’t really know what possible disasters you’re going to come across.
As the car was now running it was time to get the Timing belt replaced, with no history of a timing belt replacement it was vital to replace it to prevent damage to the valves.
Along with the belt the water pump and coolant was changed at the same time. New auxiliary belts were fitted at the same time, before doing so all the bolts, which were rusty, were sprayed with a releasing agent , luckily they all came out. We could then replace the belts and refit all the original bolts with a little bit of grease. Whilst the timing belt was changed the car had an oil and filter that included new spark plugs, air and fuel filter too.
The front wheel arch liners had to be removed for work on the timing belt on the right hand side and hydraulic pipework on the left.
The plastic arch liners had their original bolts and captives cut and new original style m6 passivated bolts and captives reinstalled with plenty of grease.
Because of the time the car had stood the fuel pump inside the tank had failed.
Finding a replacement wasn’t easy. Rob searched whilst in France and one was located on a shelf in a breakers, thankfully.
With the car now running and just about leak free it was time to just run the car down the road to see how it drove.
This was the cars first time out properly for ten years.
The car drove well so no nasty surprises like noisy gearbox or wheel bearings worn.
So the next level of work. Now was the time to install a good battery, fit 5 new tyres as the originals were perishing badly.
The right front brake caliper was leaking, all discs were heavily rusted and the back plates on the rear suspension arms were in need of new ones.
New flexi hoses and steel brake pipes were also installed.
The centre section of the exhaust was holed so a new one got fitted.
The client paid up to date and was warned that the car could create more hydraulic leaks as it’s really quite a task to replace all the pipes .
The structure on the car is actually very good with just two small rust holes on the back of the sills.
These will be focused on next with an aim to get the car MOT’d very soon.
If you need help with your Citroen or Peugeot please give us a call.
Independent Citroen and Peugeot Specialists based in Hitchin, covering Hertfordshire (Herts), Bedfordshire (Beds).