My "love" of all things xantia...and Xm...and Cx..

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 30 Oct 2009, 18:44

Dave

Yes good work 8) , the rear hydractive sphere is ok, some say you need the exaust off but if you take off the heatshield that goes over the rear centre sphere and get the car nice and high on ramps you should be able to get it off no worries with that strap wrench and a good bar.

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 30 Oct 2009, 22:00

Cheers, well i had a look at it and thought that it would come off with out a problem! (unless i was looking at the wrong sphere???)
But i think perhaps the exhaust has been replaced perhaps that makes it easier.

The rear spheres i took off were from 2004, and they were not for an XM they were for a hydractive xantia??

oo er.

Im not 100% sure about where the leak is, i need to clean it, its not enough to be dripping on the floor but the pipes are wet...

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 30 Oct 2009, 22:13

The one i think Jim referes to is the anti sink sphere which with a bit of rust can be a real

£"$%$£$%$ £$%$£$ to get off.
Xantia spheres were fitted to my xm when i got it, they just give a softer ride so im told and if there is oil on the pipes you will just need to nip them up a bit, i always find when i put new rubber seals in the ports they start to weep after a few weeks, i think its becaause i dont do them up tight enough or they settle in??.

D

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 30 Oct 2009, 22:18

Well if my car has an anti sink it must be buggered, beacause it always sinks.
However i like this and dont want to rectify it!!

Ill try nipping them, then perhaps new seals.

There was a slight leak round the pump, but i tightened the connection and hopefully it will stop it.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 30 Oct 2009, 22:29

I THINK if you have and FDV and the old single output pump then no anti sink is fitted, not that it matters though, i think all the sphere does is give you some reserve pressure for braking, although i thought that came from the acc sphere, and although it works in conjunction with the anti sink if its flat i hear it makes no difference to the systems operation.

D

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 01 Nov 2009, 23:55

Still not done the accumulator due to weather.
However thats been bumped down the list, as i got back home after a shift and the drivers window would not wind up, after replacing the fuse and trying to assist it with pliers i had to take the door apart and rip the window off of its plastic runner thing, then take it off at the bottom too

.

Feeling extremely anti xm now, and the window is held up with wood.
Sadly have little time to look at it this week as on 5 long days.
Very very tempted by the xantia, the only thing that stops me is the fact its 80 miles away

If the wood holds and no one nicks it any ideas would be appreciated!(no ive already thought of torching it)

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 02 Nov 2009, 01:14

Your Xm might not have anti sink Dave, our 2.1TD certainly doesnt. I thought the sphere must have been shot (this does work the anti sink by the way) but on inspection it doesnt have an anti sink sphere. Some 2.1TDs around a certain year didnt have it fitted, only later cars i think.

Its a shame your having problems with the Xm, they are such rewarding cars when they are working.

The window is a very very common fault, its most likely a seized motor and/or a snapped/jammed cable. Ive replaced a cable on the white Xm and fitted a new motor to one side too. Im sure e-crofting sells the cable kits, infact thats who i got mine from. Bit of a fiddle to fit though.

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 02 Nov 2009, 06:45

I think its the motor as the cable seemed intact, will have to look on ebay!

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 07 Nov 2009, 14:38

An update...
Sadly the brakes are still shockingly bad and i am shamed that im still having to use my girlfriends daihatsu cuore if i think i might encounter traffic!
I took the window regulator to pieces and put it back together, bought a new switch and the window now works

Well that sounds simple, it wasnt! Had to repair a plastic clip i broke which was a nightmare!
Heres pics of the regulator, the 4 bolts in the pic replaced the rivets i drilled out.

Just need to work out how to sort the door trim out to stop the water now!

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 13 Nov 2009, 12:51

Well another update, the window i thought id fixed isnt

The plastic clip i thought i photographed as repaired jut snaps everytime the window reaches the bottom.
It really does look and drive like a dodgy shed atm, got sellotape on to try and stop too much water getting in the door! Cant wind the window down due to the broken clip so have to open the door for barrier machines

The sunroof leaked aload of water on me yesterday so i tried to do it up and pressed the wrong button, then it wouldt do up again

. had to take the switch off and clean contacts again, managed to get it done up in the end though.

Ive given it a hydraflush, didnt get as much LHM out as i thought i would, but what i did get out was a horrible brown colour!

And as for the brakes so long as i double/triple braking distances its fine.
Today or tomorrow ill be visiting the xantia to give it a run(hasnt been run since it was put away about a month ago), it will be very tempting to take it back with me!

Need to book the ferry crossing to france for next year, but i think ill pay the extra insurance so i can change the vehicle if need be!
It honestly wouldnt suprise me if i booked it and went to start the car and the doors fell off!

On a positive note i recieved the new trims in the post from Brian Primmer. I just need to get the time to fit them!

List of urgent ish things to do.

1) Reduce brake delay to less than a day.
2) Fix drivers window and replace door card
3) Fit front and rear accumulator spheres currently rolling around in back.
4) Find out where small LHM leak is and find out why there is a constant hiss which disappears when steering wheel is turned

5) Get rusty wheel arch sorted!

Lol and thats just the urgent stuff....

Edit:
6) supose it would help if i could get the ABS light to go out as well!

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 14 Nov 2009, 18:11

Well today, or rather this evening i battled with the rear accumulator sphere and won!

In the end I opted to weld up my dads ramps rather than risk axel stands etc, i think i now have a deep mistrust of axel stands and jacks.
Cant wait till i can buy myself a 4post lift... yeah right.
So it now has a nice new sphere, the old one was of 2005 vintage.

When i took it off I was greated by very foamy LHM/hydraflush so the air leak must be causing a system wide problem

.

Anyway thats one less sphere rolling around in the back!

I started the xantia yesterday and she was still beautiful! started no problem!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Nov 2009, 20:59

Excellent work Dave

has it improved the brakes at all? It could have been that the sphere was leaking nitrogen into the system, either that or you have an air leak on the pump suction pipe that bringing a lot of air into the system. Try a length of clear hose as a test.

I tend to agree about axle stands although I still use them and touch-wood, with no problems although for some jobs done under stands, it does help if you're a championship limbo dancer. I'm planning to treat myself to a set of ramps, along with a decent big hi-lift jack as the best way of getting a car onto ramps is to jack it up high enough that the ramps will slip under the wheels. The little jacks from Halfrauds and the like just aren't up to that though...

Goo to hear your Xantia is still in good fettle

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 15 Nov 2009, 10:07

I think if its any sphere it would be the new/old accumulator one, as i believe that to be 10 years old

.
So i have another one to replace it when i get time... maybe today but unlikely lol!

If i can find a length of clear hose large enough ill try that Jim!

I did find that being an auto the XM went up on ramps much better than the xantia as it didnt slip down!

davetherave · Unread post by **davetherave** » 24 Nov 2009, 16:25

Update..
Since the last post, my passenger window has also ceased to function

.
However apart from when the brakes dont engage at all due to the ABS, they have improved with bleeding and new accumulator sphere!

I have just been outside taking the rear seats out, as i am picking up a set of mk1 leather on saturday!
I will aslo see about getting the window regulators from it as well!
Will mk1 fit mk 2?

Have just done a bit of testing on the ABS sensors and have found the o/s rear to have a reading of zero, so ill be trying to get the abs sensor off of the car too! any tips?

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 26 Nov 2009, 21:40

Hang in there Dave

.....I wouldnt rule out the idea of running the Xantia if you can whilst you work through the XM. You need a mental break sometimes by having a working car to use whilst you work through the other one. Nothing kills enthusiasm like a car which just keeps breaking something else everytime you fix something. Perhaps it needs a Mike Brewer and Ed "wheeler dealer" approach to get it tip top again....work through all the problems than drive it?

On the constant hissing sound, where is this coming from? Funny thing is i saw a 406 the other day in Liverpool which was hissing really loudly...that seemed to go quiet when he turned into a street in front of me and then it started again as he straightened up and carried on...As 406's dont run hydraulics i was wondering if it was air con compressor related (though this wouldnt necessarily be affected by the steering) or a problem on the rack or P/S pump? Strange one...

You will crack the problems im sure

.....Im sure most of the XM owners on here have come across or know about the root cause of these faults. One thing is for sure...you wont be the first to have them, or the last

and if you cant find the answer or solution to any particular fault then give me a call as i have a good base of Citroen independant contacts in my directory including a Citroen Master Technician who served his time on 80's and 90's Citroens

P.s. Your positive comments about mine helped me when i was losing it last week.....so thanks for that 8)

A consolation is that XM's look awesome...... 8)