Metal bonnet

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Mike Holdstock
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Metal bonnet

Post by Mike Holdstock »

Just out of interest,
does anyone know why Citr decided to use a metal bonnet/engine cover (rather than the previously plastic) in the later cars?
I got a metal bonnet on a 92 BX 16 with a bit of rust on the leading edge where the designers got something abit wrong with water ingress between said bonnet and the plastic bit filling gap between bumper ad bonnet. Seem like there has been water collection here - which is ok for plasitc but a bit less ok for mild steel.

Mike
OWNS a BX19i 1990 tri with only 110k km on the clock and no rust
OWNS a life-threatened BX16i and delighted with it (but poor relationship with test station)
HAS HAD 89 BX14iRE (dead)
HAS HAD 88 BX19GtI (dead)
HAD 89 BX14RE which was still motoring very well at 280.000km when there was too much rust (gone)
HAD about 5 GS (first 1978) in the 70's, 80's and 90's, loved them, would dearly have one again.
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citronut
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Post by citronut »

i have heard it said that the deisel engined cars have a metal bonnet whilst the petrol have plastic laminate,

but i have seen both types on both petrol and deiesl,

regards malcolm
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electrokid
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Post by electrokid »

I have a metal bonnet on the '92 diesel and a plastic one on the '91 petrol - I'd prefer to have a metal bonnet on that one !
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
Mike Holdstock
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Post by Mike Holdstock »

"... I'd prefer to have a metal bonnet on that one (petrol)"

From the safety point of view or ?

Mike
OWNS a BX19i 1990 tri with only 110k km on the clock and no rust
OWNS a life-threatened BX16i and delighted with it (but poor relationship with test station)
HAS HAD 89 BX14iRE (dead)
HAS HAD 88 BX19GtI (dead)
HAD 89 BX14RE which was still motoring very well at 280.000km when there was too much rust (gone)
HAD about 5 GS (first 1978) in the 70's, 80's and 90's, loved them, would dearly have one again.
HAD a DS Break - Succumbed to the rust of ages..
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Philip Chidlow
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

Received wisdom: Metal bonnets were the result of the need for better sound insulation on diesel models. They weren't produced for long, but remained in the parts bin at Rennes for most of the BX's production life. The original reason for them seems to have been quickly forgotten on the production line though, as I know of at least two petrol BXs with metal bonnets!
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Post by Defender110 »

All my diesels have always had plastic bonnets 8 in total so I don't hold with that idea.
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Philip Chidlow
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

I'm not saying all diesels had them. In fact you can imagine the situation where those up on high decided it was a good idea to fit these bonnets, a big batch are eagerly produced and duly put in the parts store, but on the production line the poor workers took a dim view and only fitted these heavier items when 'someone was looking'! :lol:
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Mike Holdstock
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Post by Mike Holdstock »

Philip

thanks for the received wisdom.
Now you know of a third petrol with metal bonnet - and from m/y 93, at that.

Don' think that noise is so much of a problem in the 16.
since I've got steel mould on the metal bonnet I'm seriously considering replacing it with a Gti bonnet, plastic, which I think will fit and do have available.
And reduce the weight a bit.

Mike
OWNS a BX19i 1990 tri with only 110k km on the clock and no rust
OWNS a life-threatened BX16i and delighted with it (but poor relationship with test station)
HAS HAD 89 BX14iRE (dead)
HAS HAD 88 BX19GtI (dead)
HAD 89 BX14RE which was still motoring very well at 280.000km when there was too much rust (gone)
HAD about 5 GS (first 1978) in the 70's, 80's and 90's, loved them, would dearly have one again.
HAD a DS Break - Succumbed to the rust of ages..
Mothman

Post by Mothman »

I have an L diesel Estate with a metal bonnet, and a K reg as a donor with a plastic jobbie, all factory fitted. My first F reg diesel had a plastic one. Also had another K reg diesel with a metal bonnet so i dont think it mattered. Whatever they had to hand or was cheapest to produce was fitted.
I dont think the noise factor of a diesel was really considered. I have run diesels of many makes over the last 30 years and although they are a bit clattery on start up and at low speeds, engine noise is minimal once driving. Ok, they dont compare to a Roller for quietness but i have never driven a diesel motor that worried me re noise. As for what pedestrians hear as i passed, well, dont give a toss about them as long as they dont throw themselves into my path cos of the noise.


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electrokid
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Post by electrokid »

From the safety point of view or ?
Well... I'd normally have a raft of technical reasons for such a preference - but not on this occasion - more a feeling in my water :-)

I don't think there's a great deal of difference in weight. There seem to be big earthing straps on the plastic bonnets which suggests to me there was a problem with static at some time ? though what that was I have no idea.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
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mat_fenwick
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Post by mat_fenwick »

electrokid wrote:which suggests to me there was a problem with static at some time ? though what that was I have no idea.
80s nylon jumpers? :lol:
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Tim Leech
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Post by Tim Leech »

Is there any benefit of one over t'other? I would have though the GRP wins all round unless the metal is type is better at sound deadening?
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Post by mountainmanUK »

One with a metal bonnet will weigh a tad heavier at the scrapyard! :lol:
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electrokid
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Post by electrokid »

80s nylon jumpers? :lol:
:lol: :lol:

I was thinking more of sparks in the inlet manifold or an excess charge in the cabin air.
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
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Post by Defender110 »

electrokid wrote: I don't think there's a great deal of difference in weight.
The only metal bonnet I have seen was on Matts (Mulley)TXD and when I first tried to open that I thought something was jammed because of how much heavier it was compared to all the plastic ones I have been used to.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
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