New Xantia owner saying 'hi'

Post by **aerodynamica** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:07

Hi French car fanatix. Name's Graeme McNulty from Glasgow. I have just taken ownership of a Xantia SX and have just joined y'all to share the ups and (of course) the downs of the restoration... OK it's not a resto! I'm just gonna keep it as healthy as possible.

I'm not new to Citroens - I grew up with 2CVs, and as a seasoned Citroenist I've owned: 1984 BX14E, 1978 CX 2400 Pallas, 1980 CX 2000 Reflex, 1983 GSA Pallas SE and now I presently have a 1977 CX 2400 Pallas C-matic as the weekly car and now the green Xantia that I just got for free!

I'm a DIYer and enjoy working on the Citroens as a hobby and for cheap motoring. The CX is in good condition after the summer restoration - it's around 90% finished but I'm happy with it's condition at present (I don't want a concourse condition car!!)

The Xantia was a good find - I've had it a week - already done 5 spheres and 3 wipers and the air filter, there's no MOT at present as it's been off the road for 2 1/2 months. Owned previously by an old boy here in Glasgow but he died in June, Xantia was used up until its tax ran out by the grand daughter + hubby. Daughter is emigrating back to Oz so Xantia was free to first collector. It's a find because it has only done 28K miles from new! and although it is the undesireable 1.9 NON turbo diseasel, it runs very well and has a near spotless interior. My dad had a '94 Xantia 1.9D back in 1995 that I begged him to get and I loved it! - I had a rush of the nostalgia for that old Xant when I got in this new one.

Next thing on the list is to change the oil and filter, I want to replace the cambelt because it is 12 years old and I can't be sure if it's done (I have had a snapped T B before! I know the pain!!)

Anyway, Just wanted to hear of anyone's experience doing a cambelt change on a Xantia 1.9 XUD motor. Anything special needing to be careful? and where would you recommend as a source for the replacement belt and/or tensioners etc?

I just replaced the timing chain, tensioner and guide on the CX - easy reach under the wheel arch. Hope the Xantia is not too fussy!

Well, been reading the past threads for potential Xantia problems to look for, some good knowledge and experience in those threads.

Greetings,

G.

slim123 · Post by **slim123** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:29

Hello "G" and welcome, I am sure that others will welcome you too

The cambelt on the XUD engine is easy, well all cambelts are easy, it's only the getting to them that is the fiddly bit.

You will need to remove the aux belt and support the engine as the top engine mount bridge bit will need to come off. Then it's just a case of remove the covers and take off the belt, some find it easier to remove the turbo pipes and some will work around them, this bit is up to you.

The belt is very commonly available from any motor factors, Gates part No 5049XS personally I would reccomend a Gates belt.

When it comes to the job in hand, give us a shout and if needed I can post up a more detailed description of how to do the job, with photo's if required.

My Xantia XUD runs very nicely on cooking oil, much cheaper than diesel, might be worth checking this option out

Regards
Slim.

Post by **aerodynamica** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:40

Thanks for the reply matey, yep, I've been considering the veg oil option since this motor runs OK on it. And I'm presently converting the CX to run on LPG. We live in a kingdom of taxes - an I ain't too happy about SOME of them!

I'll deffo be needing some advice for the veg oil options like how much diesel to mix (if any) and how to ID the Bosch or Lucus fuel pump (I'm new to working on diesels) How to check and change the diesel filter - haven't even looked where it's located yet!

Thanks, I'd be delighted to see the detailed guide to the timing belt change.

Anyway, so far I've had to free up the stuck rear brake pistons - bled too and freed up with no drama. I am missing the standard issue wheel brace- I can unwind the spare tyre cage with a crowbar.

G

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 29 Dec 2007, 23:45

Well on the plus side you don't have the turbo pipes to get in the way

A jack under the engine to move it up and down makes the job so much easier.
Don't forget the bolt on the back of the top rear belt cover.
Change the water pump at the same time.

If you've changed all 5 spheres, might be an idea to hydroflush the hydrolic system, it's probably never been done so you're on 12 year old LHM!

Post by **aerodynamica** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:00

Yea, LHM was definately not new. Mind you it works very well, from fully depressurised the red light goes out in 11 sec and the car rises in another 5 sec, steering crisp and if you sit on the rear sill it relevells in 5 secs (front not as lively but I know for a fact that play in the drop links can worsen front end slowness) it does still wake up though.

I'm comparing it to my CX where I rebuilt the entire suspension (except for the front arm bearings - still to do that) rebuilt both corrector valves, their linkages, reset the clearances, made modified antiroll bar torsion rod brass bushings with better fit, eliminated the play at the corrector balljoint, reset the normal height, recharged the spheres and of course new LHM. Also new HP pump and belt, and reshimmed the pressure regulator (sometimes needed on a very old citroen as the press regulator internal springs get tired) and new main and brake accumulators. I must say the CX rides very well and self levells bloomin well too.

The ride is pretty good on the Xantia. Definately nicer brake feel on the Xantia - the CX brake pedal is like stepping on a brick!

How much is hydroflush?

I take it the waterpump is a bit of a weak point!? if not I'm happy to release and jack the engine up at a later date but if so, then maybe best to seek a spare.

I just got a NOS CX waterpump off ebay for £7 plus post! don't even need it! but you just have to take these opportunities!

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:15

Waterpump's only £20ish so it's better to do it while the belt's off than have to do the whole job again later.
Mine lasted over 100K, but didn't like running on a new belt with a different tension and the bearing went making a nasty squealing noise.
Many people only change the tensioners every other belt change.
GSF do 5L of hydraflush for about £17.

Post by **aerodynamica** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:17

Cheers Xac, that's a great help for starters.

G

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:20

Hello and welcome on board

Hydraflush is about the same as LHM, available in 5l cans, which is exactly what you need. Available from GSF & others.

The waterpump is not generally a weak point. Its just that you dont want to do the complete job over again in a couple of months SHOULD the waterpump fail. Thats why 8)
Same goes on the tensioner and idler.
These parts will from new happily outlive the servicelife of 2 cambelts.
Meaning they are indeed reliable.

Interesting reading that you re-shimmed the PR to get it back on correct cut-in/cut-out pressures. You must have a test jig some kind providing a pressure source for your overhauling jobs then ?
Where did you get an accurate high pressure gauge to read out the pressure figures ?

About the CX front arm pivot bearings : they are in fact pretty easy to do. The job is of course same as replacing the arm, which I've done a number of times when I had my CX.
I found the worst part was to remove the split pin holding the suspension cylinder rod in the upper arm. The next worst job was removing the droplink

Welcome and looking forward to more Citroen discussions

Post by **aerodynamica** » 30 Dec 2007, 00:25

Hi yes, the front arm bearings should be OK to do luckily I have had the split pins out already and one droplink off before.

I don't personally have the pressure gauge but my friendly local indie Citroen specialist do have the hydraulic pressure gauge. And they'll lend you tools if you're nice to them

Thanks for the welcome folks and hope for some good discussions to come.

G

IT · Post by IT » 30 Dec 2007, 18:09

Hi Graeme,

I (think) I've managed to send you a PM mate.

Post by **aerodynamica** » 30 Dec 2007, 19:23

Yes, IT got it, cheers for message