Stupid Saxos !!

  1. Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Bolton Posts: 1068 Saxo 1.4i sx
    #1
    Been putting a new cat on this afternoon. The old one started rattling, followed by the 'choke effect' of the internals blocking the exhaust flow. Had a spare cat so decided to chuck it on.

    What should be a 15min job has taken over an hour and I will have to finish it tomorrow when its light.

    There are two 10mm bolts with springs that fix the cat on to the downpipe, only they are not quite long enough by about a millimetre. God knows why.

    You can get one on but the other, jeeze. Tried moving the cat about and using a rachet 10mm spanner all to no avail.

    There are lots of stupid design features on Citroens, for instance you have to remove the engine top mount to get the cambelt cover off. It could easily be designed to slot in place. Also the wiper stalk could be made to just slot into place, but I had to break a plastic moulding to get it in instead of dismantling the dashboard.

    If anyone can tell me why Saxos designers deliberately make things difficult for maintenance I would be grateful, or could it be that they are just clueless??
  2. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #2
    Doesn't work if you get your spares in china. It is a 15 minute jobs unless you get the wrong parts.

    Quote:
    If anyone can tell me why Saxos designers deliberately make things difficult for maintenance
    You failed to take into account one small detail: in the first place, saxos are designed for the LHD car market. You have to make adjustments to turn them into RHD. Hence why the air conditioning isn't available over here for lack of room left.

    Don't get a Glanza or you'll enjoy taking the engine out when it's new cambelt time.
  3. Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Le Mans, France Posts: 976 VTS, Hawkeye WRX, Def90 & Freelander HSE (ex-VTR)
    #3
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
    If anyone can tell me why Saxos designers deliberately make things difficult for maintenance I would be grateful, or could it be that they are just clueless??
    Cos they're French - simples
  4. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card
    #4
    I find saxo's extreamly easy to work on.
  5. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2010 London Posts: 2768
    #5
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    Don't get a Glanza or you'll enjoy taking the engine out when it's new cambelt time.
    Yea engine design is quite terrible on that.
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Widnes Nr Liverpool Posts: 184 Saxo VTR 1997
    #6
    Im a mechanic for a living in the design of anything the last thought it one day it will need to be removed or fixed
  7. Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Bolton Posts: 1068 Saxo 1.4i sx
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    Doesn't work if you get your spares in china. It is a 15 minute jobs unless you get the wrong parts.



    You failed to take into account one small detail: in the first place, saxos are designed for the LHD car market. You have to make adjustments to turn them into RHD. Hence why the air conditioning isn't available over here for lack of room left.

    Don't get a Glanza or you'll enjoy taking the engine out when it's new cambelt time.
    I dont know where this cat came from but it is a 1.6/1.4, and its pipe is slightly wider than the original- so the conical gasket sits higher and the 10mm bolts, which were too short already, are much too short. Why could Citroen not make them longer? It wouldnt cost any more. Nobody has answered the question yet except to suggest that its somehow my fault.
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Widnes Nr Liverpool Posts: 184 Saxo VTR 1997
    #8
    Citroen probably have a bin off stuff maybe once uopn a time there were Xmm long , long enough no-one struggles , then Mr Pierre Nut and bolt couldnt get Xmm to supply Citroen and just sent them X-.5MM hoping no-one would notice
  9. Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
    I dont know where this cat came from but it is a 1.6/1.4, and its pipe is slightly wider than the original- so the conical gasket sits higher and the 10mm bolts, which were too short already, are much too short. Why could Citroen not make them longer? It wouldnt cost any more. Nobody has answered the question yet except to suggest that its somehow my fault.
    You obviously are trying to fit the wrong part. Nothing to do with citroen and definitely not their fault. I had my cat converter changed a few weeks ago, it took 15 minutes and zero issues.
  10. Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Bolton Posts: 1068 Saxo 1.4i sx
    #10
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Manu View Post
    You obviously are trying to fit the wrong part. Nothing to do with citroen and definitely not their fault. I had my cat converter changed a few weeks ago, it took 15 minutes and zero issues.
    See what I mean about blaming 'me' because the bolts are too short?

    The bolts are too short- they are difficult and fiddly even a with citroen cat [which nobody ever buys because they are too expensive, It would cost NOTHING to have the bolts a few mm longer. And the manufacturer should allow in their design for pattern parts [and this is the right cat anyhow]

    The car manufacturer exists to please us- thats why we give them our hard earned money. They are not there to make things difficult.
  11. Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2010 Widnes Nr Liverpool Posts: 184 Saxo VTR 1997
    #11
    This is Sods law , im a HGV mechanic , its more frustrating when everyhing it 4/5 times heavier i find swearing at it helps
  12. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD
    #12
    i know exactly what you mean. its a case of getting some fucker to push it while you try and nip the nuts on the end.

    or, i found a bolt from a 306 that was longer...