Xantia 2.1 Probs

timbo101 · Post by **timbo101** » 17 Oct 2009, 16:19

Hi All,

My lovingly cared for Xantia 2.1TD sx Estate has been a royal pain in the bum this week.
It was due its MOT this week and I knew it needed a track rod end for the MOT so I got a mobile mechanic to come to my work to fit one but when he tried to remove it it snapped in the rod so had ro be put on a recovery lorry and taken to a garage where it had new track rod, both track rod ends, both new gaiter kits and the tracking done which came to £220 in the end. Then it failed its MOT on 3 tyres, various lights not working and a problem with my rear suspension. The rear suspension was something to do with the rear centre sphere and some sort of linkage but thats all been done now so all the spheres are now new and it has a nice shiny 12 months MOT at the cost of just over £300.
On the way home from the garage the serpentine belt snapped so got a mechanic to come out and fit a new one £55 fitted.
I started the car a little earlier and it sounded quite ropey and then the new belt came flying off but the belt is completely undamaged. It turns out that the bush in the guide pully is worn and needs replacing and that the mechanic thinks my timing is now out hence the lumpy sound.
The car has cost me £600 this week and now I dont have any money left at all to put it right so I am left without a car and no dough.
This car should be a perfect little car due to me having done the following since I have owned it in the last year and a half or so.
1xFull service
Oil change every 4000
New interior
All new spheres
New glow plugs
New cam belt
New water pump
Air and fuel filters replaced every 6 months
Injectors and fuel system cleaned
new brakes all round and I upgraded the vented front discs
Brand new tyres
And 12 months MOT.

I need to raise some cash for a little run around car with some tax and mot so I can get to work for a few months and get my daughter to school every day so wondering if anyone was interested in buying it from me for spares or repairs.
The guide pulley is £35 and to correct the timing should be easy enough to someone who knows what they are doing which I dont and it would be a cracking car again as everything else has been done.
Bit of a long shot but need to try and get myself a small banger this weekend if possible.
I am in Branksome which is in Poole in Dorset (BH12 1AW)
Anyone interested please let me know a.s.a.p...Many thanks..Tim

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Oct 2009, 17:04

Ouch, I feel for you, all that from one car!

I thought our two non-citroen cars were problematic. We have one golf mk3 with a sheared timing belt, sitting collecting dust while i have the head off for a repair, an escort mk6 running warm and a grinding noise coming from where the belts are and it needs front pads doing before the MOT which was due the other day and tax due at the end of the month, and my wife is giving me grief for buying a xantia, i'm out of pocket at the moment but at least we have something!!

We all have problems mate, and hopefully this cloud of yours will bring you some good luck with cars, you could do much worse with other car makes though.

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 17 Oct 2009, 19:20

Come on lads is there someone close to timbo that can sort this out for him, it's not that much work thats needed, 6hrs max.
Would do it myself but I'm to far away.

Post by **CitroJim** » 17 Oct 2009, 20:49

That's a shame Tim

better to sort this one out though, rather than spend out on another "stop gap" car that might land you in even deeper problems. On the face of it, not too much to do at all really, more labour than anything else. Get those two problems sorted and she's good to go.

mark21td wrote:Come on lads is there someone close to timbo that can sort this out for him, it's not that much work thats needed, 6hrs max.
Would do it myself but I'm to far away.

Great thinking Mark

Sadly, I am too but if closer, would be there in a shot. Both jobs I've done on a 2.1TD and neither are difficult. Do make sure you use the right size of auxiliary belt as there are two lengths depending on A/C compressor fitted.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:00

Why would the timing drop out after the aux belt coming off though...

Andrew

Post by **CitroJim** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:14

andmcit wrote:Why would the timing drop out after the aux belt coming off though...

Because the belt, in coming off, frequently goes through the cam covers and tangles with the cambelt, dragging a tooth or so off. It does not look to be the case here though and I'd be inclined to think, given the cambelt has been recently done, that the garage got it misaligned. It may of course be a red herring but worth checking all the same.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:26

My point too Jim - I've heard of many engines being totalled by a slipped
aux belt and this sounded an odd diagnosis by the garage after the aux
belt was renewed yet leaving a lumpily running car? 2.1's aren't my thing
so I wasn't sure if this was such a significant issue though.

Andrew

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 18 Oct 2009, 00:13

mark21td wrote:Come on lads is there someone close to timbo that can sort this out for him, it's not that much work thats needed, 6hrs max.
Would do it myself but I'm to far away.

I'm happy to volunteer.... (my nephew to do the awkward stuff

)

What exactly needs doing?

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 18 Oct 2009, 00:35

MikeT wrote:
mark21td wrote:Come on lads is there someone close to timbo that can sort this out for him, it's not that much work thats needed, 6hrs max.
Would do it myself but I'm to far away.
I'm happy to volunteer.... (my nephew to do the awkward stuff )

What exactly needs doing?

Thats the spirit, nice one Mike

timbo101 · Post by **timbo101** » 18 Oct 2009, 08:39

Blimey.thanks for all your kind offers I wasn't expecting or asking for help I was only trying to see if I could move it onfor next to nothing but if I can get it fixed that's great. Right here is what needs doing.
It needs the auxillary belt putting back on but first the guide pulley needs replacing.I have one of these reserved at gsf but for the next few days I have no way of getting up there or paying for it.I already have the correct replacement belt though. The other thing we think is the timing where thecam belt may have jumped a tooth etc but I am sorry I don't really know. I don't know enough about cars but if this does mean I need another cam belt it's off to the scrappy as I just can't afford to go through all that again.very many thanks....tim

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 09:37

No worries Tim,

It's what a forum like this is all about...

Both jobs are well documented on here. Do a search on 2.1TD cambelt blow by blow and 1.9TD/2.1TD Auxiliary belt tensioner replacement. That should cover it.

timbo101 · Post by **timbo101** » 18 Oct 2009, 10:03

Hi Jim,

Does this mean then if it is the cam belt that has jumped a tooth or two that it will need replacing again?
I dont even know if that is what it is, basically when the belt started to shred the enging went really noisy and tappity like an old tractor engine then now if I rev it it smokes quite bad and then cuts out.
I just need to get an idea of what may need to be done as its parked in a public layby outside my house so I will get a parking ticket every day it is there and if its going to be a lengthy process it will have to go.

Thanks again..Tim

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Oct 2009, 11:01

Hi Tim, for safety, yes, it should be replaced if it has jumped as a tooth (or teeth) on it may be damaged.

The very first job is to check the timing with a set of timing pins. Mike knows how and it's straightforward on a 2.1TD as the cam covers come off a lot more easily than on a 1.9TD

Correctly armed with the right tools (most importantly a long ball-ended 6MM Allen key), the aux. belt tensioner and the timing check can all be done in a leisurely morning.

Post by **myglaren** » 18 Oct 2009, 11:17

Check your PMs Tim.

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 18 Oct 2009, 21:00

Aaah, my car's sprung a fuel leak in the high pressure feed from the pump. I won't be going anywhere until I get it fixed, then I'll make your crisis my next priority Tim. Send me a PM with your number and let me know when you're free, then I'll call you when I'm mobile again.

In the meantime, if it were mine, I would put a notice on the dash/screen, notifying traffic wardens and police - Car Awaiting Recovery along with my mobile number - if it can't be moved. That might buy some time?

I'm sure the cambelt on it's own isn't too costly is it?