Having seen how good my ZX D is (hurrah - simple car), my wife's parents rushed out and bought a W plate Xantia HDI (Hmmm - not so simple).
I know I'll get the blame if anything goes wrong (!) so what would you do or pay special attention to, to keep it reliable?
ZX D
XM V6 Sei
err... and a Vauxhall.
Xantia preventative maintenance
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Rich
- Posts: 103
- Joined: 26 May 2002, 23:59
Hello arry b,
I own an X plate Xantia HDi Exclusive, and i have to agree, it does look scary under that bonnet! Even worse when i looked under the car and found EIGHT hydraulic spheres!!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Anyway, i like to get stuck in myself so this is my theory on preventative maintenance;
1) Always change oil/filter and fuel/air filter at the intervals recommended by Citroen. (I am doing my oil/filter at half intervals.)
2) If the car has air-con, change the pollen filter every year too, or twice a year if you like, depending on local pollution.
3) Have the air con serviced every year or so to keep the system healthy, and operate it for at least 10 minutes every week (even in winter) to keep the compressor seals lubricated. I use a proper automotive air-con specialist for this as they do a very thorough job for a good price. My Xantia had the full job for £70.
4) To be safe, i would flush the cooling system and change the coolant every two years at least. It says in my handbook 5 years, but i think that is pushing it for a Citroen heater matrix!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
5) Keep an eye on the height corrector linkages and keep them clean and well lubricated. Change the hydraulic fluid (LHM fluid) regularly too, and clean the fluid filters and tank in petrol. This will keep your hydraulic system clean and slow down the wear. Your magic carpet will ride better too!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>
6) If the main accumulator sphere starts to go flat (the pressure regulator will click much more often) change it. If it is left, it will eventually wear out the hydraulic pump as flat spheres place a constant load on the pump.
Other than that, don't overlook the obvious things, you know, check your coolant, oil, tyres, lights and all that type of stuff weekly. I have noticed with my Xantia that it pays to strip and clean all four brakes now and then.
Well, i hope this may be of some help, i'm sure there will be much more input on this from the other Xantia boys. These are good strong reliable (and very comfortable!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>) cars, they just need a little care like any other really.
Best regards, Rich.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
I own an X plate Xantia HDi Exclusive, and i have to agree, it does look scary under that bonnet! Even worse when i looked under the car and found EIGHT hydraulic spheres!!<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> Anyway, i like to get stuck in myself so this is my theory on preventative maintenance;
1) Always change oil/filter and fuel/air filter at the intervals recommended by Citroen. (I am doing my oil/filter at half intervals.)
2) If the car has air-con, change the pollen filter every year too, or twice a year if you like, depending on local pollution.
3) Have the air con serviced every year or so to keep the system healthy, and operate it for at least 10 minutes every week (even in winter) to keep the compressor seals lubricated. I use a proper automotive air-con specialist for this as they do a very thorough job for a good price. My Xantia had the full job for £70.
4) To be safe, i would flush the cooling system and change the coolant every two years at least. It says in my handbook 5 years, but i think that is pushing it for a Citroen heater matrix!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
5) Keep an eye on the height corrector linkages and keep them clean and well lubricated. Change the hydraulic fluid (LHM fluid) regularly too, and clean the fluid filters and tank in petrol. This will keep your hydraulic system clean and slow down the wear. Your magic carpet will ride better too!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>
6) If the main accumulator sphere starts to go flat (the pressure regulator will click much more often) change it. If it is left, it will eventually wear out the hydraulic pump as flat spheres place a constant load on the pump.
Other than that, don't overlook the obvious things, you know, check your coolant, oil, tyres, lights and all that type of stuff weekly. I have noticed with my Xantia that it pays to strip and clean all four brakes now and then.
Well, i hope this may be of some help, i'm sure there will be much more input on this from the other Xantia boys. These are good strong reliable (and very comfortable!<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>) cars, they just need a little care like any other really.
Best regards, Rich.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>