Hi
I need to find a cheap car quickly, and have spied the following on e-bay:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2457...1
I have e-mailed the seller about the car as I am quite keen on it, and he sent the following reply:
When the car is cold is runs fine on the choke, when the choke initially switches off it runs lumpy for a bit. It cut out on me at junctions etc. This could be because the choke is switching off too early. After about 10 minutes it then runs fine again.
It starts almost first turn of the key when cold but will turn over for about 15 seconds when it is warm, I have said a service as it hasn't really been used since Nov but it probably needs the timing or something looked at. I've never had problems re-starting it, it's more irritating than anything else.
As far as I'm aware the suspension is OK, I'm not a mechanic though. It raises and drops etc. When the car is started it takes about 20 seconds to raise when it hasn't been started for a few days, and a matter of seconds if it has been used on the same day.
Would this problem be cheap and easy to fix? (I would be entrusting it to my local garage as I don't have the time or facilities to do it myself.) It seems to me that the seller is being as genuine and honest as he can, but I'd like some expert advice please.
Many thanks, as always, in anticipation.
Cheers
Rob
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Rob,
The 1.6 engine in the BX has a Weber carb with an auto choke which is notorious for giving problems later in life. It probably can be fixed by giving the carb a thorough overhaul - which might cost £100 or so. I see the top bid is only £10 at the moment though! The rising time sounds OK to me. If you have a look at it, there should be 6" or so of silky smooth give in the suspension on each corner when it is running.
The 1.6 is 90 BHP, and the car weighs less than 1000kg so performance is pretty good - economy not magic - about 35mpg usually I think.
BX's have zero image which is why they are so cheap, but if looked after will provide cheap, reliable and comfortable motoring - only thing is you need to take it to a Citroen specialist as most mechanics will just suck their teeth and say "oooh, it's a Citroen mate, don't know anything about them"...
It looks very tidy under the bonnet from the photo!
At least you know what the funny noise in your Golf was now, and didn't spend out for an MOT, THEN have the 'box fail!
--
RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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I once owned a peugeot 405 with the same 1.6 petrol engine that had a similar fault. It would run fine when first started and when fully warmed up, but would stall or run roughly in between... cause was a perished diaphrapm in the auto choke unit that pulled off the choke under engine vacuum...a coat of silicone sealant on the back of this and the car behaved perfectly. mine had done 150k miles and the engine still ran fine so these engines are pretty tough.
The BX looks to have a nice interior, it's in a good colour and looks tidy...just bear in mind that the cost of any rusty suspension pipes or suspect hoses when the mot runs out could cost a good few hundred pounds to put right.
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RTB,
Agree with Richard's comments.
To expand a litle it is true to say that most BX16s will have this choke problem to a greater or lesser degree.
The choke is pulled off by a waxstat at the front of the carb with a small bore water hose leading in and out. If you notice this part of the cooling system is well above the level of the rad filler cap. Any air in the system tends to collect here and muck up the way the choke operates. There is a correct filling/bleeding procedure for these cars and it needs following.
Next level of the problem is a carb that has been mucked about with by someone who doesn't know how to set up the choke. Adjustment alone may sort this. Could even be as simple as a wrongly set up idle mixture/speed.
Then there is one, as Richard says, that might need to come off the car for a proper overhaul and setup.
Lastly you could have the not uncommon situation that you have one of these carbs that really is past it. Then you could be faced with a new replacement at £250 plus....ouch!
Do remember that any problem with the plugs/leads/rotor arm/dist cap may show up more during the warm-up cycle, a simple service with attention to these areas may well sort it.
By the way a manual choke conversion can be fitted for a fraction of the cost of a new carb, if that is all that is wrong with it.
Do you mind me asking how cheap your cheap car has to be? I know of a similar age smart 2 owner BX Estate with full history, all MOTs/invoices, new clutch, new carb (!!), MOTd Nov'04, taxed April'04 and a genuine 88K.... that will be pretty cheap.
M.M
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Thanks for your very informative replies so far.
MM - I don't mind you asking at all! To be honest, I'm looking at spending £150 max, as money is as tight as a badger's doo-dah right now. Although if you'd like to e-mail me (address in profile) with any price you may have in mind for the car you mention, I'd appreciate it.
Richard W - I have the phone number of our local Citroen specialist who is very highly regarded, so I shall give him a bell in the morning and see what he says.
Thanks guys
Cheers
Rob
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Thanks for the "figure" Rob. I'm in no way connected with this estate BX, just had a guy on yesterday who is hearbroken at the low values and needs to sell to get his newer car....but I think £150 is a bit too low for him, the new clutch and carb recently would have cost many times that!
If you'd been a bit nearer his hoped for price I'd have put you in touch. Good luck with the EBay BX anyway. If you get it you'll be on here every day!
M.M
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Rob : I ran a BX a while back. Check the accelarator (S?) pedal. It pivots on its left hand side at the top. I understand they can bend on the pivot which then means you get little movement, and less go! I had to have mine removed and replaced.
Tim{P}
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Rob,
Beware of Citroen addiction! It can take hold very easily!
There is -loads- of help and knowledge out there to keep the BX going. But don't expect a Toyota Carina type experience. This is not a case of "car as domestic appliance" but "vehicle as rewarding hobby"
rg
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I had one on these a while ago and it was always going back to the specialist. If money and time is tight I would buy something else
Volvo 340/60
Sunny, Corolla etc... would be better. Why buy a car that you are going to have to fix when there are loads of others out there with 12 months MOT and the ownwers just want shot them
MB
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Add Skoda to that list - lots in Loot for £100-£300 N reg with low milages and some even FSH! They'll be delighted to take your £150 and you'll be on the road again...
good hunting
MB
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Now I'd say go for it. If you end up paying £50, you can afford a few quid to get the carb sorted.
I had a 1.6 BX (but newer) before becoming dieselised and it was great. Ebay photos make this one look good too. If you've got a good local independent Cit specialist you should have no problems. Suspension rise time sounds about right to me: in my experience the first signs of problems would be a harder ride than normal.
Volvos, Toyos etc are all just as likely to give you grief so why widdle around? As rg says though, beware of addiction!
Terry
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A good forum to visit for Citroens:-
www.andyspares.com/discussionforum/
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I see you have already been there, to the forum??
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"A good forum to visit for Citroens:-"
and
www.citroenz.com/forum/
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"A good forum to visit for Citroens:-" and www.citroenz.com/forum/
This site is not as popular as www.andyspares.com/discussionforum/
from the number visits made from the dates shown.
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A,
I wasn't disagreeing with you, merely suggesting another -and though it might not be as popular, it still has some very knowledgable contributors and helpful advice. (Including Anders !!)
Phil
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As Autumnboy and PhilW may have seen from the Andyspares forum, I haven't bought this BX. Instead, thanks to a humblingly generous offer from DieselBoy (my brother for those who don't know!), I am now the proud owner of a 1993 Peugeot 1.6GL. And very nice it is too!
Thanks, all for your advice about the Citroen. I guess in the end I wasn't quite ready for too much of the old Gallic charm!
Cheers
Rob
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