CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Citroenmad]

I thought Luke was getting that one Paul?

[Northern_Mike]

Rear abs sensors need fitting (supplied) rear upper Sill areas in the door shuts need some welding.. (metal to shape can be supplied) and a water leak needs addressing too... oh the front bumper needs replacing due to corner damage. ( one supplied) centre exhaust needs attention (located one much nearer to you too.)

a good project really but i really need the cash ..

Oh rear archs have estate type rust on them too...

That's too much work for me. It'd have to be a runner, as I need to use it at least 3 days a week to get to work when I'm not on nights.

[citroenxm]

It is a runner it has an mot...

chris yes luke is but ive not heard back from him.. is he home from usa yet??

[Citroenmad]

Im not sure Paul, might be worth dropping him a PM and seeing.

Is Luke wanting it as a project? He seems to have a few of those already!

[citroenxm]

Yes chris .. he is supposed to be having it as a project..

if he doesnt have it ill have to end up dooing it up myself.. bit really could do with it gone as a project...

[CitroJim]

Keep your eyes open Mike, V6s do come up for sale quite regularly and they tend to go for quite silly money mostly as people are scared of the engine size and potential running costs. That works nicely in your favour... I'd be happy to vet one for you...

Prestige and I took a trip to Reading today to pick up Robyn and her friend from the Reading Festival. Reading was stacked out, both with youngsters - all looking completely knackered - and traffic. Full marks to the organisers though, the pick-up point was very clearly signposted and despite being heavy, they kept the traffic moving as well as they could. Semi rather than total gridlock....

Robyn spotted me and the XM instantly and she and Charlotte immediately appreciated the comfy seats. I appreciated the huge boot when I saw what they had in the way of camping gear... Both girls were well knackered but a cup of Starbucks and a panini soon perked them up... Charlotte was a bit nervous about going into the services as she had a very prominent (temporary) tattoo on her left cheek saying 'Bollocks to Poverty' I rather liked and tend to agree with the sentiment expressed...

It was a great journey. First time over some roads I know are not the finest but in the XM they were hardly noticeable and being anything other than perfect. I'm loving the comfort and sheer laid-back attitude of the car.I was quite surprised at how well she corners.

Later I moved New V6 off the drive so Prestige could take her place for the week and going for a quick blast in New V6 really showed up the differences in the suspension setup. The XM is definitely built for comfort and ride whereas the V6 is much more biassed over the other way. Both excellent in their own way but on sheer ride comfort over dodgy surfaces the XM wins by a long margin...

It's been a rotten day weather-wise despite starting out with some promise. I therefore spent the afternoon writing the CCC Xantia Files Column for October and planning the CXM Convoy Route...

[bxzx16v]

I look forward to seeing your fleet at the Cxm Jim .

Mark

[citroenxm]

Jim,

You WILL remember to keep ontop of autobox fluid changes. I do my mates HP20 box (or are they HP18) on his 2.1 TD auto XM every 6k or so, and so far at 221k is still perfectly smooth!!

Paul

[Citroenmad]

Im pleased the XM is impressing Jim, they are more for comfort than the Xantias. Im sure there is some more comfort to be had out of the Prestige too, as the centre spheres are in need of checking. You will also notice that the spheres I put on are not the correct spec, they are higher pressured and so the ride is softer with those on. It suits me and what I think XMs are about but it might not suit everyone. They are genuine Citroen spheres though and the rears are the triple diaphragm ones.

Im sure Jim has got the autobox under control, It is in need of a change though.

Jim, dont forget my offer of helping you across to CXM with some of your fleet

[CitroJim]

You WILL remember to keep ontop of autobox fluid changes

I WILL Paul

It'll seem odd buying DEX2 after years of LT71141..

What about the filter in the HP18?

Cleanable and reusable or replacement job?

[citroenxm]

Oh yes nice and easy, clean and reuse... Under the box, undo the 3 10m bolts, and lever the circular cover away at the same time watching for the fluid to drop out.... then pull the filter down out the box...

Clean it up... re fit, clean the magnet off, that sits in the cover... re fit the cover...

Fill the box to cold max, and away you go...

The filter is the same as the LHM type filters...

[CitroJim]

Gosh, you need some proper girly hands to get to the autobox dipstick with the gas vapouriser in the way.

I've been having a good look at her this afternoon and delighted with the overall condition she's in.

A few smallish problems to deal with and in no particular order:

Gearbox oil to change

Fix the ABS. Lexia says it's loss of power to the control unit and safety relay. Hopefully the sensors are good...

Exhaust manifold gasket looks/sounds/smells to be blowing Looks an easier job than on an Activa though...

LHM is just about due for a change.

Apart from that, lookin' good

Oxygen sensor is static... May be due to the manifold leak...

I'm intrigued that the car seems to have no cat. That's no bad thing.

Then it's just general TLC...

[Northern_Mike]

Keep your eyes open Mike, V6s do come up for sale quite regularly and they tend to go for quite silly money mostly as people are scared of the engine size and potential running costs. That works nicely in your favour... I'd be happy to vet one for you...

Prestige and I took a trip to Reading today to pick up Robyn and her friend from the Reading Festival. Reading was stacked out, both with youngsters - all looking completely knackered - and traffic. Full marks to the organisers though, the pick-up point was very clearly signposted and despite being heavy, they kept the traffic moving as well as they could. Semi rather than total gridlock.....

I may well take you up on that offer, if one turns up at the right money. I'm not worried about the engine size, they seem to be more economical than an Activa and have more power, so that will suit me fine.

[citroenxm]

Oooerrrr Jim.. there SHOULD be a cat on her.. under new mot laws if one was fitted when new it needs to be there for the new mot.. so you may need to get one fitted else she's an mot failure.. i agree though the lpg would probably get her through the emissions.. but the cat should be there....

You may be intreaged to know that front and rear sensors are identical in shape!! However the rear sensors are a Bugger to remove...

[Citroenmad]

Yes, the gearbox oil dipstick is well obscured It took me a while to get at the oil filter too, its easier on the Activa.

Im very pleased you have found nothing too offputting with the XM Jim, though I am sorry you have found an exhaust leak on the manifold, that is not something I had clocked.

Can't say if I looked for it having a cat but it has sailed through its previous MOTs with that exhaust ...