Buying An Ax, What To Look For

[Frank]

I'm quite good around inspecting cars but know nothing about citroens except girlfriends bx, which I've noseyed about and done some repairs. I've caught the citroen fever and have my sights set on an ax 1990 ish. Just read some owner reviews: good motor, poor electrics, rattles, great handling/economy, head gaskets, hoses etc etc. Hoping someone here could confirm/summarise this model and any known issues and maybe briefly advise me what to look for (generic oil leaks, head gasket, etc etc). I'm quite confident at inspecting, but will not pressurise cooling system or do compression check but rather visual and driven checks. Thankyou. Any info on weaknesses is much appreciated. regards Frank

[Ronin]

Along time ago but first time I've read this.

So this is for everyone for future reference.

 

The AX was always prone to a few weaknesses.

engine: petrol:

valve stem oil seals (smokey on accelleration or load)

cylinder head gasket (slowly goes over time, look for emulsified oil in the oil filler cap "dirty cream".

sump oil seal leakage.

front exhaust down pipe prone to cracking due to gearbox securing bolt often missing.

coolant pipes to heater matrix can often split or fail.

Avoid 1.0 (often underpowered and trashed because of it) and go for 1.1 or 1.4 (seem to handle it better and not much difference in m.p.g. or insurance

 

diesel: front exhaust down pipe cracks

Diesel fuel leaks on pump 1.4d

Avoid 1.4d very weak engine and fuel pumps, 1.5d was much improved

 

Drive train: both

driveshafts and cv joints prone to knocking on near full lock.

gear linkages can get stiff with heat from the front exhaust, regular lubrication can solve this.

rear wheel bearings can whine for miles and miles but won't show up on m.o.t test as a problem.

 

 

Brakes: both

rear brake cylinders prone to leaks.

rear brake compensator valve leaver often siezes and gives the feaaling that front discs are warped, easy fix to free off and grease up.

sticky front calipers, easy fix though clean off the caliper slides.

 

electrical: both

heater/ blower motor prone to failure

electric windows can sieze if not used often and break securing bolts on the levers to the door frame.

rear light clusters electrical connections need regular cleaning

 

suspension: both

front coilsprings can crack at the bottom coil

rear shock absorbers can often leak

rear torsion bar can fail but with no warning signs until the car is suspended on a ramp and rear wheels will touch the front of the rear wheel arch (tell tale sign)

 

bodywork :both

door checkstraps prone to failure, can rip off in high winds

panels are very thin and can dent easily.

bonnet release catch can sieze and cable snaps under pressure keep it well lubricated

body mouldings and body kit clips ax gt/gti can fail with age, they become brittle

rear quarter body panel can rust from within due to dirt deposits accumulating under the rear side windows and around the fuel filler cap assy. and pipes.. pressure wash the upper wheel arch ares can prevent this.

 

interior: front seats can become loose on all securing bolts.

The front seat back rest can become squeeky due to securing screws bolts loosening.

door and rear quarter panel covers can start to rattle over time.

 

Plus points:

generally strong engines and gearboxes that can take a lot of punishment.

amazing handling and cornering and acceleration on all models

excellent fuel ecomomy (diesel's 75mpg, GT 45mpg)

cheap insurance.

easy to fix.

Would I own another one? Hell yeah!

despite it's shortfalls and quirks its a reliable car and if looked after and serviced, it will look after you.

I owned a1989 AXGT for 4 years that I loved to bits and eventually modified (turbo charged). In that time it only ever let me down once : problem...a 50 pence fuel filter to the carb was dirty... two minutes and I was away.

 

Don't be put off with what you read above, those are common faults on extremely badly looked after models (worst case scenario).

hope this helps. ;)