Hi all.

I've been driving my recently acquired 1988 2CV around for a few days now and I've got a couple of questions;

Bearing in mind that I went from driving a Ford Ka (with power steering) to the 2CV, I find the steering very heavy. Is this normal?

The guy from whom I bought the 2CV (Tony Shields at 2CV City) advised me to use Super Unleaded on the grounds that the engine would run cooler and I'd get more mpg. Anything in that?

The front brakes, according to the Haynes Manual, should have air ducts for cooling the discs. Mine doesn't have any. Is this okay?

That's all the questions for now. I'm sure there will be plenty more, I'm sure.

One comment; I really wasn't expecting the culture shock I got from going back 50 years in driving technology when I went from the Ka to the 2CV. I'm getting used to it, but it may take a while.

Cheers all,

John

Welcome!
1. Heavy steering is normal, its a shock when compared to power assisted.
2. Super unleaded dosnt really have any change in mpg or running of my car, the only time it will is if there is a timing issue such as pinking.
3. cooling shrouds are not absolutely necessary, most cars i know of have lost them, the seem to be of more use in warmer countries, but i still have mine!
Hope that helps.
Joe.

Oh dear!

I think it's fair to say that a fair few of us have had bad experiences of Citys work, But you're in the right place for help and advice. What made you buy a 2CV? What Joe's said is pretty much bang on.

John where are you?

well find you someone that can set the car up so its doesn't pink and have a look at the tracking etc.

sean

Thanks all.

Joe, very reassuring re. the steering, what you say about Super Unleaded is pretty much what I'd assumed and I won't worry about the missing shrouds.

Chris; Oh dear?

Russell, since I got the car, I've been finding that what's been done to it is mainly visible stuff. When I picked it up, I asked if I should keep the speed down for running purposes (on the assumption that the engine had been rebuilt). His answer was "No". So I said "No new parts to run in, then?" "Ah. Well. Keep it below 60. It'll have new barrels and pistons." "Or possibly not", thought I. I remain to be convinced that anything has been done where it can't be seen. The gearbox whines in second, which I would have thought it wouldn't do if it had been rebuilt. Of course, I could be wrong. On the plus side, it has got a galvanised chassis.

What made me buy a 2CV? I've always liked them, for one thing. I can no longer afford what my local Ford dealer charges me to service the Ka and fettle it for the MOT, and I wanted to get something that I could service myself, for another. Enter the 2CV. I should point out that I've been building and servicing my own bikes for most of my life and I regard myself as being reasonably mechanically minded, and I'm hoping that the 2CV will be reasonably straightforward.

Thanks all, for the responses.

Cheers,

John

Hi Sean, and thanks for the response.

I have used ordinary, common or garden unleaded in the car, and I didn't notice any pinking. Then again, it would be mixed with roughly the same amount of Super Unleaded that was already in the tank, so that's probably not very helpful. Would pinking be easily audible? I had electronic ignition fitted before I took delivery of the car, btw.

I would like to get the tracking looked at, just to be on the safe side, so a local 2CV expert would be very useful. I live in the Scottish Borders, about 10 miles west of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Do you know of anybody that fits the bill?

Also, are there any trustworthy dealers about?

Cheers,

John

Hi beerbunny,there are many trusworthy 2cv specialists about.I am sure someone on here will put you in touch with someone

You'd certainly detect it when the engine is under load.



Sean?






Hmm. There are a few trustworthy 2cv restoration places and a good number of 2cv mechanics about, but there's an awful lot of con artists. Graham Wilson in Cornwall and Pete Abbott in Lincolnshire are among the best restorers in the UK. ECAS is the only parts supplier worth trusting.

I've used regular unleaded in my 2CV and it's now done over 200,000miles and still going. Steering shouldn't be too heavy, but it is a 1940s front wheel drive design, so you have to expect some, especially if you're going round a tight bend at speed(the car will under-steer, just turn in more and you'll go round it okay )