My First Xantia

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Chevron Terry
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My First Xantia

Post by Chevron Terry »

Hi ,
Next month , I will be collecting my first Xantia . [ 1997 TD , Temptation ] .
What are the do"s and Don"ts of owning one .
The suspension ;
without a Manual , how do I maintain it ?
Many Thanks
Terry .
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CitroJim
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Re: My First Xantia

Post by CitroJim »

Chevron Terry wrote: without a Manual , how do I maintain it ?
That's easy Terry, just keep reading this forum and asking questions :D
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
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Xaccers
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Post by Xaccers »

Do regular citrobics, which involves setting the car on low, leave it there for 90 seconds or so, then set it on high, leave it there for 90 seconds or so, repeat several times.
This helps flush any bubbles out of the system.

Check the LHM level by setting the car on high and making sure the orange float disc is between the two red lines on the top of the black resevoir.

With the engine running and height set to normal (the thick middle bar) bounce the front and rear, if they're hard then the corner spheres at that end need replacing, they're only about £22 each.

Again with the engine running and on normal height, listen at the front of the engine for a loud tick/click noise. If there's over a minute between ticks, then your accumulator sphere is ok, if it's under this, then it's an idea to replace it, likewise with the rear accumulator sphere, known as the antisink sphere (as it's fitted to anti-sink Xantias).

For removing spheres, you can make your own tool (I've written a guide in the helpful hints section) or you can buy a pukka tool from Pleides which can shift even the tightest of spheres.
To remove the antisink sphere, you'll need a 9mm (someone correct me if the size is wrong) flare spanner as the hydraulic pipe screws directly into the sphere and unscrewing the sphere without also unscrewing the pipe will twist and damage the pipe. Easiest way is to hang the spanner on the pipe's nut, then unscrew the sphere, the spanner holds the nut in place so the sphere screws off it.

Check the colour of the LHM, it should be bright green, not brown.
If you don't have evidence of it being changed at the correct intervals, then it's best to replace the LHM with hydroflush (Hydrorincage from GSF) which is about £20 for 5L. Run on this for about 1000 miles then replace with new LHM.
Get a haynes manual, despite it being riddled with lies, it does cover many jobs properly.

Check the rear calipers are sat straight, corrosion builds up behind them making them eventually touch the rear discs causing squealing and lack of brakes.
Take them off and chip away the limescale like corrosion. Apply grease to the mating surface before refitting them.
Careful as some people have shered the bolts when trying to remove them.

Most importantly NEVER EVER go under the car unless it's supported with a good jack or preferably axle stands.
People have been crushed by their cars sinking on them.
1.9TD+ SX Xantia Estate (Cassy) running on 100% veg
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DIY sphere tool
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Post by citroenxm »

The ticking is to check the "Accumilator" sphere fitted to the front of the gearbox..

ANOTHER easyer way to check its condition is put the car onto HIGH setting - also to check the LHM level, and when the car gets towards the high position - IF the accumilator sphere is "FLAT" the regulator will TICK and CLICK away LIKE MAD!!! If it does this, it needs replacment, again £22 quid or so....

ANOTHER way, IF the corner spheres are soft, and have movment in them on "NORMAL setting" Lever in car in the middle, with the boot open, switch off the engine, then sit on the boot lip and let the car take your weight, the suspension should go down if the spheres on the rear are good, then AFTER a moment it should rise a bit! EVEN WITH the engine off - this IS the Reserve from the accumilator dooing its job, the better it is the more it will move, but expect it go FAR, of course, if theres no movement then it is dead..

But theres two "other" ways of checking the Accumilator sphere...

Also leaving the Sphere flat on the car can have effects on the Pump, and the regulator which can eventually leak from the end of the unit...

Welcome to Xantia Owner Ship! But you have come to the right place!

Paul
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