I just bought today a Xantia 3.0 V6 Exclusive

[xantia_v6]

Pressure washing an ES9 V6 engine is not a good idea.

The spark plugs are in deep wells that fill up with water which then sorts out the hight tension voltage.

The front 3 plugs can be accessed fairly easily for drying by removing the plastic cover and ignition coil block, but to access the rear 3, the inlet manifold has to come off, which is a bit of an awkward job, particularly the first time.

You may as well put in a new set of spark plugs while you are there, and check for oil weeping from the camshaft cover seams.

[Stickyfinger]

eek....Jet washing ANY engine is not a good thing

[kentc5]

lol ... I will look at it tomorrow. It's a good excuse to check all the serviceable items, since I have no service history of the car.
Yes yes I know ... jetwash no no etc. But the partial OCD cleaningness kicks in... cannot see old dirty engine bays! lol I like them clean and inviting to work on.
As I mentioned from the 30 odd cars I had and cleaned the engines, this is the first time I experienced non starting issue. (apart of a Renault Megane 1.5dCi with a missing fuse cover! lol ... hair dryer done the job. And a new cover).

[Stickyfinger]

Every year they get more sensitive to moisture, I cannot think how much that would cost me if I jet washed the X7.

[chinkostu]

eek....Jet washing ANY engine is not a good thing

I jet washed mine. It is a diesel though, minimal electrics!

Came up a treat. It was also from no nearer than about a foot so as to not push water into anything

[kentc5]

ouch ... well I found out why the car wouldn't start. The No1 spark plug was soacked in oil and water. (The oil was from the filler cap... when the previous owners garage was trying to fill it up, the excess was going in there... quite poor design to be honest.).
Anyhow, with some brake cleaner and compressed air and towels. Everything has come up as a treat. I did not manage to remove the manifold. So I started the engine... it was misfiring but at least it was running.
I have let it to warm up nicely and then switched it off.

After an hour the car is running like a dream .

I have called Citroen today and ordered the O-Rings. I will replace them tomorrow.

[CitroJim]

ouch ... well I found out why the car wouldn't start. The No1 spark plug was soacked in oil and water. (The oil was from the filler cap... when the previous owners garage was trying to fill it up, the excess was going in there... quite poor design to be honest.)..

A very common problem and yes, poor design.. I always wrap a bit of rag around the oil filler when filing or topping-up exactly to prevent this..

Good that all is now resolved

[kentc5]

I am driving her to High Wycombe as I am not 100% confident to do the O-rings my self. So I will enjoy a long journey

By the way I found some yellow letters (stamped) on the radiator 24-06-06 so I assume this is a "new radiator changed around that time. Hence the coolant looked new in the expansion tank.
Where are the fill up marks on the expansion tank? :S

[CitroJim]

Where are the fill up marks on the expansion tank? :S

There's none...

Fill it to half-way. If you look inside the tank you'll see a sort of pipe in the middle with ribs radiating from it.. Fill when cold until the top of this structure is just and just covered....

Any excess will be got rid of via the overflow when the engine is up to full running temperature.

[kentc5]

Well it is all sorted my friend had all the required spanners to make life easy and we replaced the o-ring in about 20mins all in all.
Cleaned alll the LHM+ thats came out. And topped up. Did some citrobics.
And now the car is with no leaks and everything is working brilliant. Did about 280miles yesterday... I am sure she is still in shock! lol.
Only think I need to sort out now is the sticky height correctors. But not an emergency for the time being

[CitroJim]

Great news Kent

[Stickyfinger]

Sounds like your enjoying a Xantia with the recommended amount of torque

[kentc5]

I spoke too soon there is no leak from the top etc.
But the alternator is wet ... I suppose the bottom pipe now is now leaking.

Is it the same O-Ring? Or I need to buy some more.

[CitroJim]

I expect the leak now is from the rubber suction pipe on the pump or just as likely the other O ring opposite the one you swapped. To swap the second one is a pump removal job... Also remove the alternator and give that a good clean too...

[kentc5]

I managed to get the Radio code from the dealer they gave it to me over the phone with no charge really pleased.
One more thing working on the car

I will book her for timing belt replacement ...
Would that do to order?
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Citro ... 5d2&000332

Garage quoted 5hrs labour more less.
When they do the timing belt they will have a closer look of the suspension pump as well.