100k Xantia advice please.

[Stepto1]

My 1.8 sx Xantia is just about to go round the clock. It currently uses no oil and runs very clean. It will sit at 80mph all day and still return 35mpg. And I'd like to keep it that way. My question is does anyone have any advice on frequency of oil changes, type and grade of oil and any other tips to keep her running sweet. The cam belt has been done, as has the water pump, LHM oil flushed and changed and new spheres. What else is likely to go soon? The radiator looks old but in good nick. Other then that I hope all continues to run well till I find an Activa, hint hint.
Kind regards,
Stepto.

[SaabC5]

If its running sweet just keep doing what you are already doing, regular servicing etc. No sense in trying to find fault with a car thats running like a champ.

[Stepto1]

Cheers for that SaabC5. Just thought I might start changing the oil a bit more frequently and change the filter every time. Still fancy an Activa. Or always had a soft spot for a 9000?

[Deanxm]

9000 is a nice motorway car, Activa is a nice car too.
The only thing i would say is keep the oil clean and make sure the antifreeze changes are kept on top of, use disilled water @ 50% mix and she should keep going a good long while yet.

D

[Stepto1]

I hope so. She was in a right state when I got her. I changed the coolant as it was filthy. Then the water pump failed so did the cam belt at the same time. I'll change the coolant as I'm sure I never got the system clean last time. I mainly drive the 260 miles between Nottingham and Plymouth most weekends so a good motorway cruiser is what I want. The Xantia has been fab at this with it's smooth ride, good brakes and comfy seats. Shame about the lights! Relay mod before xmas!

[addo]

Mine passed that milestone without a murmur. At about 140K of yours, it needed new inner and outer track rods, ball joints, a set of spheres, the rear arm bearings are past due now and I also have to replace the strut tops. Probably heat related, my steering return hose failed, also the elbow off the anti-sink leak return split.

[Rhothgar]

Yeah. Buy a 9000 with intergalactic miles for cheap motoring! NOT!!

I used to run a couple of 9000's and have a 900 turbo T16S sitting on my drive. Not a relaxing car to drive! There was a really nice 9000 on Ebay last week with only 22000 genuine miles on but it was a saloon else I'd have had it!

[Rhothgar]

In fact, it's still on!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-Saab-900 ... 3a6c9ed1b3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shame it's an Auto and the under-powered 2.3 LPT Engine.

[Stepto1]

Only one or two things then!

Brakes are an ongoing problem as mine seems to eat them. Also, the Exclusive alloys are proving a pig to balance. Happy to be running a petrol as it seems to be more trouble free the the oil burners and it's good on fuel for a big heavy car. Other then that it's been a good motor. Had a few issues with the hydraulics but nothing too hard or costly to fix. Just a symptom of lack of servicing in the past.

[Peter.N.]

Oil changes are the most important thing, the frequency not the cost. I use the cheapest oil with the correct spec for my diesels about £10.00 at Trago Mils. I change mine every 5,000 on the XUDs and a little less often on the Hdi. One of my XMs is coming up for 300,000 miles and the 406 has just passed 200,000. Had little or no problem with the engines - the rest of the car, well that's something else.

Peter

[Stepto1]

Always stayed on top of oil changes since I got the car. Back then it was like black water so I flushed it with new oil and have changed it every 6k since. Always bought the good stuff and changed the filter every other time. It's such an easy engine to service! I have a trade card at Halfords so get about a third off any service items. Well worth getting by the way. If you are in a trade to do with engineering then just ask for a trade card. I'm a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy and got one no probs!

[myglaren]

Always stayed on top of oil changes since I got the car. Back then it was like black water so I flushed it with new oil and have changed it every 6k since. Always bought the good stuff and changed the filter every other time. It's such an easy engine to service! I have a trade card at Halfords so get about a third off any service items. Well worth getting by the way. If you are in a trade to do with engineering then just ask for a trade card. I'm a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy and got one no probs!

If you have any bother with them you can always torpedo the buggers

[Estately]

It may be worth changing the gearbox oil.

Given the cost, change the oil filter with every oil change and the air filter every other oil change and don't overlook the fuel filter.

Keep the door hinges lubricated and grease the hand brake cables where they pass through the guide loops.
If the brakes are binding clean the area where the pads and caliper meet.

Someone on this excellent forum may be able to advise whether the hand brake adjusters can be lubricated.

There is a dirt trap behind the plastic inner wing guards, just forward of the front doors that may need clearing occasionally.

Hope that helps

[Rhothgar]

Maybe we've seen each other around Stepto1 - I'm Nottingham based.

If you ever get short for time for any parts collection, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Our warehouse is near GSF in Sneinton and I' m frequently near Citroen Bristol Street.

[Stepto1]

Thanks Estately. Funny you should mention it but I changed the pads and discs last weekend. I sanded out all the muck from where the pads sit in the calipers. Then I applied a little copper slip to the guides. I guessed the handbrakes may be sticking so greased all the handbrake guides and where they meet the brake. I changed the fuel filter a while ago and I use a K&N air filter that only needs cleaning and re-oiling very rarely. All the door hinges are greased but I will look for that dirt trap. I removed enough compost from the seal behind the rear doors last weekend for a couple of hanging baskets!!!