Sleeper Xantia 2L HDI

[eskerman]

I’ve been offered a 2001 2L HDI Xantia that’s been lying in dry storage for a few years and I’m tempted to take it on - and save if from the crusher. I have owned XMs and CXs and a Xantia before and I found the Xantia 2L HDI very good.

The car is one owner from new 120k with a full Citroen history - belt at pump done at 100k - it was parked up and battery removed and covered up. I put a battery in it some fresh diesel and I can’t get it to start - it will start with a squirt of easy start and that’s it - I have checked for fuel at the injectors and that’s fine - I’m wondering if it’s an immobiliser or crank sensor problem - my OB2 code reader won’t communicate with the ECU so don’t know what codes are on it

Any ideas or pointers i can follow up on - the car is worth saving IMO

Thanks in advance
Paul

[CitroJim]

That's a great find! Looks well worth saving

An OBD2 Code Reader will not work on this car...

You need to get it diagnosed using a Lexia. It's likely to give you some positive pointers as to the area of the problem...

Otherwise it's little more than a guessing game with a low probability of success...

[CitroenCrazy]

When you turn the key to the 2nd position, do you hear a hum for a second or so from the lift pump in the tank ?
Other suggestion, the engine ecu is easily accessible. It might be worth checking all the pins are clean.
Just remove the front engine cover. ECU is in the box by the 2 slot-head plastic fasteners
Otherwise, as Sir Jim says, it's Lexia time

[Gibbo2286]

Try isolating the fuel system, i.e. use a can of diesel and a hose right at the filter outlet to the pump thus eliminating faults in all the stuff between the tank and filter.

[admiral51]

Ok just a quick daft question from me as usual.
i assume that with easy start used it starts and runs until switched off but will not restart ?
As CitroenCrazy asks above do you hear the fuel pump priming, if not then i would give the tank a slap from underneath to try and see if the pump starts.

Colin

[Hell Razor5543]

I wonder if the brown 'sludge' that occurs in diesel (there are microbes that thrive in diesel) has blocked up the fuel pickup? Could be worth investigating.

[stevestix8]

Hi Eskerman,

Firstly, I have got a 98 Xantia SX H.D.i. 2L and have to say ive never been so impressed by any other car. Have kept mine going for 10 years now and it is 22 yrs old this year.

I have happily done alot of work myself in the 10 years, but the most recent was a new starting motor (original was Mitsubishi). Cost me about £50 (brand new) and it fitted well (scuffed hands). The old motor had worn out and the copper coil inside was burning out. Nice fix and the car starts like new, put new battery and brass lumps on the cable heads too.

In response to your problem, if it starts (with easy start) then it isnt a big problem and not electrical or immobilser.

When you turn key you should hear bubbling sound from electric fuel pump as the pump fills up and 'primes'. Are you hearing this?

Otherwise mine does love a good blat for a few hours to warm it up properly, the hdi injector cleaner also works well.

Steve

[eskerman]

Hi Eskerman,

Firstly, I have got a 98 Xantia SX H.D.i. 2L and have to say ive never been so impressed by any other car. Have kept mine going for 10 years now and it is 22 yrs old this year.

I have happily done alot of work myself in the 10 years, but the most recent was a new starting motor (original was Mitsubishi). Cost me about £50 (brand new) and it fitted well (scuffed hands). The old motor had worn out and the copper coil inside was burning out. Nice fix and the car starts like new, put new battery and brass lumps on the cable heads too.

In response to your problem, if it starts (with easy start) then it isnt a big problem and not electrical or immobilser.

When you turn key you should hear bubbling sound from electric fuel pump as the pump fills up and 'primes'. Are you hearing this?

Otherwise mine does love a good blat for a few hours to warm it up properly, the hdi injector cleaner also works well.

Steve

Hi Steve - sorry its taken me so long to reply to your comment -

I got the engine running and it was a fuse - think it was fuel pump - it fired up literally first turn after been lying up for over 12 months

I parked the car up for the winter months (covered and kept snug) and I am now getting on with some basic jobs

Have an alternator problem - most likely regulator (bugger to get out..)
Need new Aux belt and tensioner (bugger to get off - have to let top engine mount go and jack engine up to get access to the securing bolt)
New thermostat and coolant - any recommendations for tensioner and coolant ?
oil and all filters - standard service
I have to replace front spheres
I might look at recharging the rear ones - seems to be an option -

I also need to deal with light surface rust around the back end as the car has been off the road for a few years - nothing too serious - (I HOPE )

Regards
Paul

[stevestix8]

Hi Paul,

Glad you got it going, it looks like a tidy car! Fuel treatment removes any carbon build up on the injectors, see link.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-WYNNS-DI ... 1738857120

Re: Alternator, check the carbon brushes that make the electrical connection, these go first and can be got for a few quid and then the alternator is like new again.

I have not long done my Aux belt and it wasn't easy. When you remove the old belt make sure you wire brush the pulleys to get out any old bits of rubber. When all clean position new belt on all top pulleys (about 6 on mine) then work from underneath, once it sits nicely where it should then you should be able to pop it on to the lower adjuster, then adjustment to tighten. Mine been reliable since and im hoping ive got another 50k in the cambelt.

The belt and tensioner is Gates (best as far as I know) check link,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DRIVE-BELT-K ... 3948581165

You might aswell do the service yourself, really is just the fuel filter, oil filter, air filter (Pollen filter in cab, probs just needs a clean), then an oil change if you want. I always use Bosch filter sets, check link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SERVICE-KIT- ... 1438.l2649

Is best to keep on top of the spheres situation and replace sooner rather than later, but when all working well it the best suspension system I have ever known. There is a reason Rolls Royce & Bentley use the same oil pressure suspension system.

Otherwise good luck with it and the good thing about Xantia's is that others will have had the same probs you might have and can help, also that the most important parts can still be got brand new.

Steve

[eskerman]

Hi Steve

Sorry for the delay with my reply and thank you for your advice and contribution. I am slowly getting on with the service works and have ordered five new spheres - should be with me shortly. In the meatime I am waiting for some parts for the 150A Bosch Alternator - I found a faulty diode on the bridge rectifier and have decided to refurbish the alternator - new regulator, slip rings, bearings and rectifier, prefer to stick with the original Bosch as I am not a fan of Chinese knock-offs (for anything)

Have received the Gates belt and tensioner and idler pully and also have to replace the top engine mount bushing - on order. Timing belt and pump are fine - but tempted to change regardless as I have that side of the engine accessible -

So next phase is fit aux belt and tensioner, alternator, oils and filters, new battery and get the car running .. then its spheres and general de-rust under the car - check all pipes etc. Need to fit some drop links at the front

Then if all the above goes to plan - get the car MOTd... In Ireland its called the NCT

Then its on to change out the seats with Leather electric ones and fit some original Citroen Alloys..

Call it a labour of love ..

PS: in the process of doing a deal on a 2000 HDIsx... as a donor car - lots of goodies and spares in it - leather seats etc

[stevestix8]

Hi Eskerman,

Good to hear you are on top of it, how are the works going? Did it pass the NCT?

Theres a 1.9l Xantia going on Ebay at the moment (not mine), check link:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265181960015 ... 1438.l2649

Have got some fairly major works coming up on mine, and is not even something I would do. Mine is 23years old this year so is not surprising that some rusted areas underneath came up as an advisory on last years MOT, so got it booked in for possible welding, also as it was 10 years since I got the Cam belt done so I will have to get the Cam belt done aswell (even though only done about 50k since).

Having said that I am happy to get these bits done and the price quoted was good (Tony Weston Citroen specialist), have made other savings (my insurance is only £155 this year, fully com, breakdown, protected no claims, etc), but the car tax is up to £280.

Either way, if I did get another car it would prob need the Cam belt doing anyway, so am happy to get mine sorted for another 10yrs!

Anyway good luck with yours,

Steve

[Rhothgar]

Well this is a timely post.

I’ve been a very lucky chap today.

I was driving up to Sheffield from Nottingham for a hospital checkup with a consultant and the battery light came on. Driving conditions were atrocious but I turned the demister off and put lights onto side.

Made it there fine. Stopped car as soon as I arrived and restarted it. It started fine.

Came out after the appointment and it started so started on my way back to Nottingham.

I noticed the de mister would not switch on when the battery light was on.

At one point, it went out and the demister came on.

Then the light went out but other lights started to come on and the engine power nosedived.

Airbag light, ABS light, side airbag lights but still no battery light.

It was clear I was going to break down so I detoured to avoid the M1 through Barlborough.
As I approached a junction in Clowne, I noticed an MOT Station on the left hand side.

I nipped in there and asked if they had a boost charger.

They kindly charged my battery for me. It was on 11% when then put it on and must have been well below 10V. Two hours later it was on 94% so I reconnected it and drove the hour back to Nottingham.

What a Godsend those guys were.

So when I got home, I put all the heavy current draw items on and checked the voltage. 10V so it looks like the alternator has gone.

Where did you get your parts for it please?

Mine’s HDi too.

[myglaren]

You may be able to revive it Roger - new brushes and possibly a diode pack.

[Rhothgar]

Yes Steve.

Hopefully @eskerman will reply with where they were able to get the spare parts.

[stevestix8]

Hi Rhothgar,

Nice story, is good they keep going even if they've got problems.

Was told recently that Harry Bucklands (in Cheltenham) have got a Xantia they are breaking (is rare occurance), they might have a replacement alternator.

Having said that I would try to re-condition the existing alternator, check carbon brushes and/or general condition, is it worth fixing?

Also improvements to the battery system like brass lumps, instead of the standard lumps, improves the connection.

Otherwise there might be some on Ebay but you will need to make sure they are an exact match for voltage etc.

Steve