GEEEE'z what an adventure!

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 01 May 2011, 12:49

Once I've got the XM sorted I'll weigh up the pros and cons (Ooomph vs potential extra cost of insurance)

Damn, I've missed your post vince, I don't know...

Thanks

The XM is a keeper, the ideal model and condition. RUNN is also a keeper, I've spent far too much time on it to go and do a silly thing like selling it. The XM could never fulfil daily driver duties in Devon, most of the roads I travel on aren't built for it so it works out well as I will never be spoiled with the extra comforts of the XM.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 01 May 2011, 17:12

Some very good progress there Kev, your soon flying through that jobs list!

How do you mean Devon was not designed with XMs in mind?

They are reasonably big cars, though by current family sized cars they are mearly average, certainly narrower than most. The C5 is a good bit wider than an XM and not at all far off its length either, very similar in fact. The estate C5 is longer but the XM estate is HUGE! I seem to recall an avid member drives Xm estates around Devon on a daily basis for fun ...

Though I realise the Xantia does feel small in comparison.

Its good to hear the XM has been added to RUNN for a 'keeper' car on your fleet. Its obviously made a very good impression on you

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 15 May 2011, 20:24

After a break of a few weeks, the XM mini restoration is now continuing. The front accumulator was replaced firstly.
The passenger's side was jacked up, put on axle stands and hydraulics de-pressurised ready for the mid to rear end jobs. This includes replacing the anti sink sphere and adjusting the exhaust mid section, ideal really as they both need the same stuff taken off.
The only trouble I have come across so far was one of the exhaust heat shield bolts. I thought these might be a challenge so I wire brushed and sprayed a bit of WD 40 on them then tightened up slightly before loosening. This bit was fine but the nut the other side of the metal they screwed to had come unattached so the bolt had to be cut off.
I was rather annoyed about the size of the nut on the anti sink sphere as my spanners only go up to size 46! 4mm short of the one I needed. Dad reckons he can get hold of a 50mm socket tomorrow so that will soon be off.

What with not being able to do much else underneath, my attention was turned to the drivers electric window. That was a lot easier than I was expecting, only 6 screws!
Naturally, a couple of the clips broke but at least I managed to get the mechanism out. That cable is damn rusty!

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 25 May 2011, 19:14

Well, its offical, this XM is a money pit. I decided that I wanted to garage it and wasn't going to pay someone else for the priviledge to use theirs so I bought one. I'm very lucky in the fact that they are in huge demand in this area and its about 20 standard kitchen lengths from where I live, fate?

I've also decided that the XM will be the daily driver for 3 months rather than running alongside as after that above payout, I'm a little skint

citroenxm · Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 May 2011, 19:25

Well done on the Cam belt..

Did you notice behind the Aux belt pully that the setup was still the same as the TCT - in that theres a timing mark on the block.. At least you did NOT use that to time the engine like I did on the first one I did... Luckily the timing is not too far out to cause rocker finger damage...

So you found the Crank timing hole. I did after my small error.. at least I know now.

All looking well Kev.. Ill be down in Devon/Corwall in September for a week, staying in St Austells.. Im not sure yet if my 2.1 SED will be ready for that or not.. if not it could either be the Xantia V6 or Xantia HDi exclusive.

Paul

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 25 May 2011, 21:48

Measurement in kitchen lengths! Thats a new one on me

My kitchen is about 20ft long

Good news on the garage Kev, ideal really.

Oh, and the XM as your daily runabout for three months

Very nice, have you started using it yet?

Ive had a bit of an XM filled day today and have also been pottering about in our XM, I do enjoy that

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 25 May 2011, 21:54

You bought your XM a garage Kev?

surely thats proof of total dedication to the cause

.

Mind you im eyeing up the idea of a car port for mine, i dont like the car cover as a long term solution although it does work well.

D

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 25 May 2011, 22:45

Paul, I went straight for the flywheel timing hole and completely missed the crankshaft one, only because thats what I did on the Xantia. Not at all familar with the TCT unfortunately

If you're up for popping around, drop me a PM or text. You'll almost be driving right past our town.

Chris, I would say thats about right! Slightly larger than average

The XM will become the daily driver next month, surprised I haven't already told you. Though I've been logging on MSN mostly after 10pm recently

I'm looking forward to pottering around in the XM

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 25 May 2011, 22:59

I don't know how you guys cope with Xm withdrawal!! I can't. CX withdrawal is bad enough. Roll on July when it gets used.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 25 May 2011, 23:14

As of next month hey, I think we need to arrange another road trip for sometime in those 3 months

Ive not been on MSN in a while, been quite busy of late.

Dommo · Unread post by **Dommo** » 26 May 2011, 00:31

davetherave wrote:I have a slightly different take on the power thing! I find my xm to be painfully slow compared to the xant, and a joke compared to the cx!
I think something must be rather wrong, and im sure it has to do with the sreaming noise when the turbo tries to kick in!

Dave.

It's worth checking the four rubbers around the back at the top of the engine. On my Xantia they were all hardened, which meant that all boost pressure was pouring out of the engine before it reached the cylinders!

The four rubbers mount between the metal inlet manifold and plastic inlet that sits on top of the engine. It's rediculously easy to remove, and while it's off it's worth blanking off the EGR and replacing the glow plugs as they're just there for the taking (IIRC)!

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 28 May 2011, 19:39

My last update didn't include what I had actually done to the XM.

Dad did manage to get hold of a suitably sized socket from a nearby surplus place (If you ever need a marine V12 with cylinders bigger than dinner plates, 6' lion statues or even a decommisioned anti aircraft gun, these are the guys!) and I replaced the anti sink sphere. A rather interesting task but very little in the way of rust compared to photos of others I've seen.

When taking off the exhaust heat shield, one of the nuts in the rear subframe came unstuck so the bolt had to be cut off. When it came to putting it back we welded a new nut on the outside.

The exhaust also need adjusting again as the long pipe on the middle silencer was dipping down and on occasion, scraping the floor which wasn't good.

The drivers electric window is also back in and working after replacing the cables with some stainless steel ones I bought from a local bike shop. One end was already crimped so for the other end we made a couple of crimps by drilling a hole down the middle of a bit of metal bar and brazing it on the other end. Going nowhere soon that!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 28 May 2011, 21:57

Excellent stuff Kev... Some very good engineering going on there

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 28 May 2011, 23:00

Wish I had the skills.

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 04 Jun 2011, 15:29

Cheers

At the end of the day we've all got skills in different areas, ask me to work in a the motor factor business and keep it afloat along with mixing in with all the real blokey talk, I couldn't do it. Same with cleaning cars, its very rare that I have the patience to do anything more than a vacuum and a quick wash. Those are no doubt, but a couple of of examples.

The XM is now the daily driver with the Xantia tucked up in its little house. The first run on Thursday over to Toby_HDI was a good one. Well on the way back at least, got caught up with a fair few grockles pootling home at anywhere between 30-40mph what seemed like most of the way there.

Today, on the way back from running some errands I stopped in a bit of traffic and suddenly heard this pop and one of the caps that cover the scuttle screws on the XM landed on the bonnet. Much to the amusement of a Renault 5 waiting to pull out of a junction on my right.
No wonder French cars get their repuation of falling to bits in front of your eyes...