OK, it's been a while since I posted about this Lovely Lady. Having been on the road for a while now,. and covered a few kilometres together, we've come to know each other's idiosyncrasies. A few of them I can't live with in the long term so the jacketed lead projectile has been chomped! It may be unfeeling of me but her wishes are secondary, so it's up on the hoist for you my girl!
Main issues seem to be the following:
Excessive smoke on a cold start up. I accept that some is "normal" for a GS, but when the back fence is shrouded by a blue fug, it's a bit over the top. I know (hope) that it's not valve stem seals or valve guides as in refresh Mark 1 The heads were completely reconditioned with new guides, seals and valves. Sorta points at worn rings and/or bores I suppose.
Gearbox noisy and 3rd gear synchro out to lunch. The noise is constant whenever rolling along, and speed dependent. I suspect either output bearings or diff bearings as it doesn't seem to matter which gear we're in. Synchro on 1, 2 and 4 is strong, just that pesky 3rd gear, but given the amount of time spent in that gear I guess a repair is a good idea.
So since we're locked down again, and if I don't spend time in the shed Mrs P will get grumpy, I've decided that GiSelle is going to get the red carpet treatment, mechanically at least.
Engine wise, I've managed to source a set of new piston rings. Not, genuine Citroen ones, which are made from unobtainium, but a set of Australian made ones for a Renault 16! The bore (88mm), and ring sizes (1.75, 2 & 4mm) are the same! If the pistons and barrels are redeemable, then I'm hoping these will at least minimise the smoke issue. Ideally this is the only major change I need to make to the motor, as otherwise it all seems good. I've got another set of pistons and barrels on hand if there's issues with the incumbent ones.
Having now dismantled and reassembled a couple of gearboxes I feel confident that I can replace the 3rd gear synchro ring fairly easily. I have a synchro ring and gear from another box which has reasonable clearance between the faces so I'm planning on using that. Any bearings I need to disturb will also be carefully scrutinised (with an intense Scrute! ) and replaced as needed. I'd like to think the gearbox will live again.
The engine bay will get a much needed clean with degreaser, scraper and pressure washer. Any and all return lines will be sorted, replaced, or re-sealed as required. I've got a brake valve freshly reconditioned with new seals and "mushroom" so that may as well go in while I can actually see where it goes!
New caliper seals will go in, as will the freshly refurbished front suspension legs as well. (Yes, I've been busy in previous lockdowns!)
Anything else that leaps out at me will be addressed as a matter of course so I hope that at the end of this exercise I'll have a fully sorted GS for years to come.
Incidentally, in the process of removing the engine/gearbox assembly I've discovered that the pivot point of the whole lump appears to be exactly where the factory lifting bracket says it should be (Go Figure!) so a strap lifting off the rear of the exhaust manifold allows relatively easy management when lifting.
Here are a couple of piccies of the progress so far.
Cheers, Pottsy.
Main issues seem to be the following:
Excessive smoke on a cold start up. I accept that some is "normal" for a GS, but when the back fence is shrouded by a blue fug, it's a bit over the top. I know (hope) that it's not valve stem seals or valve guides as in refresh Mark 1 The heads were completely reconditioned with new guides, seals and valves. Sorta points at worn rings and/or bores I suppose.
Gearbox noisy and 3rd gear synchro out to lunch. The noise is constant whenever rolling along, and speed dependent. I suspect either output bearings or diff bearings as it doesn't seem to matter which gear we're in. Synchro on 1, 2 and 4 is strong, just that pesky 3rd gear, but given the amount of time spent in that gear I guess a repair is a good idea.
So since we're locked down again, and if I don't spend time in the shed Mrs P will get grumpy, I've decided that GiSelle is going to get the red carpet treatment, mechanically at least.
Engine wise, I've managed to source a set of new piston rings. Not, genuine Citroen ones, which are made from unobtainium, but a set of Australian made ones for a Renault 16! The bore (88mm), and ring sizes (1.75, 2 & 4mm) are the same! If the pistons and barrels are redeemable, then I'm hoping these will at least minimise the smoke issue. Ideally this is the only major change I need to make to the motor, as otherwise it all seems good. I've got another set of pistons and barrels on hand if there's issues with the incumbent ones.
Having now dismantled and reassembled a couple of gearboxes I feel confident that I can replace the 3rd gear synchro ring fairly easily. I have a synchro ring and gear from another box which has reasonable clearance between the faces so I'm planning on using that. Any bearings I need to disturb will also be carefully scrutinised (with an intense Scrute! ) and replaced as needed. I'd like to think the gearbox will live again.
The engine bay will get a much needed clean with degreaser, scraper and pressure washer. Any and all return lines will be sorted, replaced, or re-sealed as required. I've got a brake valve freshly reconditioned with new seals and "mushroom" so that may as well go in while I can actually see where it goes!
New caliper seals will go in, as will the freshly refurbished front suspension legs as well. (Yes, I've been busy in previous lockdowns!)
Anything else that leaps out at me will be addressed as a matter of course so I hope that at the end of this exercise I'll have a fully sorted GS for years to come.
Incidentally, in the process of removing the engine/gearbox assembly I've discovered that the pivot point of the whole lump appears to be exactly where the factory lifting bracket says it should be (Go Figure!) so a strap lifting off the rear of the exhaust manifold allows relatively easy management when lifting.
Here are a couple of piccies of the progress so far.
Cheers, Pottsy.