Xantia mk1/mk2?

[Stepto1]

Finally done the dirty and put my name down on a 1.9 TD Xantia. Had to happen with fuel prices as they are and the distance I drive each week.

It's reg is R484 ETL. I know it's a 1.9 TD and is in a very dark metallic grey colour.

I thought it was a Mk2 as it has a low level brake light in the boot lid but it has Mk1 headlights and grill? Did late models have a mix of Mk1 and Mk2?

Also, can anyone give me more into on this car? Which engine does it have?

Kind regards, Steve.

[myglaren]

I can't tell you personally other than to say that at the changeover of models there did seem to be a lot of mix'nmatch take place.
However, if you can post the RP number or possibly the VIN then there are those among us with access to all sorts of arcane information.

[Xaccers]

Pretty sure the low level boot light came in 96/97

If it's a 1.9TD, then it's a XUD19TE, with Bosch semi-electric fuel pump, great for running on vegetable oil.
What spec is it? LX, SX, VSX?

[Stepto1]

It's an SX with no sunroof but with c/c and a/c instead. On the DVLA search it comes up as a Desire whatever that means!

£250 quid with 12 months MOT. Just over 100k miles and in very tidy condition except for two small patches that needed welding inside the rear wheel arches. Think it may need a new cambelt.

Will know the vin number later.

[Xaccers]

Desire is what Citroen renamed SX as, and the Mk2 version got called Desire II.
Basically its the best spec version of the normal hydraulic suspension Xantias, the next up being the VSX (and later Exclusive) which have hydractive suspension which stiffens as you throw the car about, can give a better ride but there's slightly more to go wrong (not that it's major if it does go wrong).

£250 is a good price
Rust in those areas is less common on Mk1 hatchbacks.
Unfortunately as they're close to the seatbelt mount points it's an MoT failure if they're too rusty.
All estates are prone to rust there as they weren't built by Citroen, and Cassy needed a patch welded in on the passenger side a couple of years ago.

[Stepto1]

I used to run an old pug 106 1.5 oil burner on pure veg oil over the summer with good results. Then veg oil was 41p a litre!

Can I do the same with this Xantia? The pug had a Lucas pump and I had no probs until winter when I had to mix in some derv.

I notice that veg oil is about the same price as diesel anyway so is there any point?

[Xaccers]

You were lucky to get away with running a Lucas pump on veg, long term use results in them seizing up due to lack of lubrication.
The Bosch pump is built like a tank and handles veg long term. One thing that is likely to happen is that by now the seals in the pump will be hard and starting to crack. Hot veg gets in the cracks and expands them when it cools and solidifies, so eventually the pump will start to leak, it all depends on what condition the seals are in. When it starts, pick up a replacement pump, fit a seal kit and just swap them over.
If you want to disable the immobiliser, just start the car and unplug the keypad. Then you can replace the keypad with a more useful oddments tray from an earlier or Mk2 car. Don't forget to tell your insurance company, and it should not affect your premium as the factory fitted immobiliser gets ignored by insurance companies anyway.

If you have access to Costco or Makro you can get veg for 80-100ppl which makes quite a saving. Otherwise you could try and source some waste veg oil, filter it and heat it, then pour it straight into the tank. There are places that even pre-filter and dry the oil.

[Stepto1]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'm off to Makro soon then!

I drive 260 miles from Nottingham to Plymouth and back most weekends. Costs me between 40 and 50 quid in my 1.8 16v Xantia. Hoping this will be more like 30 to 40 in the oil burner. Less if I go down the veggie route.

[Rhothgar]

What colour is it? EDIT: Just seen it's dark grey metallic!

If it's Silver, we will both be the only S1 1.9TD SX in the Plains area and we'll be able to give each other that knowing wink! Don't forget to wave if you see me!

[Rhothgar]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'm off to Makro soon then!

I drive 260 miles from Nottingham to Plymouth and back most weekends. Costs me between 40 and 50 quid in my 1.8 16v Xantia. Hoping this will be more like 30 to 40 in the oil burner. Less if I go down the veggie route.

£40 - 50? THAT'S EACH WAY - SURELY?

In a 1.8, that has to be nearer £50 each way. Approx. 32 mpg for £50 at £1.38/litre.

In a 1.9TD SX, you will cut that to £40 each way based on the 42 mpg I have done over the last 2 years or so. You will cut that to £36.75 each way if you take it a nice and steady 70-75mph based on 45 mpg and £1.40/litre. I have been returning 45 mpg this year with more leisurely driving.

Veg oil will decimate your travel costs if you can get it cheap enough.

The cheapest fuel in your area will be Shell Marmion on Carlton Road. It's always one of the cheapest in Nottingham. Depends if you fancy dropping down Porchester Road on your way to or from work.

You will do the whole trip comfortably on one tank. The most I have achieved was 870 miles though 600- 650 is the norm for sensible driving.

It's probably worth using some injector cleaner on a few tanks. I used 4 bottles to and from Austria this winter and whilst it doesn't make it any cheaper (as you are adding £8-£10 to the cost of a tank) I am wondering if my increased mpg is certainly something to do with its use.

[Stepto1]

Thanks for the replies guys. 40-50 quid is each way. I've got 36mpg recently on a lazy run back and always manage the run on less then 50 quid, (except when I used Morrisons petrol, cost me 60! And the car was gutless on the hills.

Intend to run veg oil most of the time. I figure that as the engine only has to warm up the once on a long run its better long term then lots of short runs.

Any ideas where to buy oil from in Nottingham/Plymouth?

[Rhothgar]

The nearest Costco is in Derby on Wyvern Park on the A52 so not ideal.

Last time I looked sometime last year it was £1.09 a litre so no idea where Andy is getting his prices. Perhaps it's cheaper in MK as I know Andy runs on it 100% of the time from memory.

There is a guy down the Cattle Market in Nottingham that had Bio last year for £1.05 a litre but I found it wasn't worth it. I got less to the gallon and ended up with a fuel filter that was totally tatered! There's a link on the forum to a vid on YouTube somewhere. Stay well clear!

[Stepto1]

Can't wait to cut the costs a little. Getting silly now.

Anything I should know about the 1.9TD? I had a non-turbo 1.9 in a 306. Seemed a strong and simple unit.

It's done just over 100k now and think it needs a cambelt change. Big job?

Just need to swap the alloys/towbar/radio over and find a nice home for my 1.8 16v Xantia. Don't really want to scrap her.

[Stepto1]

Vin number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Can anyone shed anymore light on what I'm buying?

[VertVega]

Vin number is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]
Can anyone shed anymore light on what I'm buying?

You're buying a
MK1 XANTIA
5 DOOR SALOON 1.9 TD Manual gearbox 5
with engine TURBO DIESEL XUD9TE
which was "born" in France Rennes la Janais
on September 10th 1996