Xantia buying advice, how to test suspension etc....

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 17 Aug 2009, 00:05

Hi,
I seem to remember a thread that gave tips on what to look out for when checking a Xantia, I think it covered most things like how to check the suspension, what to look out for, etc...I have tried searching but I can't seem to find the thread....Anyone know where it is? or have I imagined it?

Is there anyway we could have something like this posted up as a sticky as I think it would be very handy.

Cheers.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 17 Aug 2009, 06:35

I also remember reading such an article. It was very detailed and had a long checklist. I am happy that I have read it after I bought my Xantia

I made a google search and voilà there it is, the first link which is from UK citroencarclub

Try these words, copy/paste to google:
- buying a Xantia
- What to look for when buying a Xantia

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 17 Aug 2009, 08:43

Hi,
Yeah I also found that via Google, however I'm sure there was a thread on this forum that detailed the things to look for etc...

Cheers.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 17 Aug 2009, 09:27

There was this thread recently "buying an Xantia Diesel" started on Wed Jul 22, 2009. Lots of good tips. Especially at the end of the thread a nice summary posted by "falling-out-with-my-car". You can also check HonestJohn website Xantia review. (click on top "Car-by-car" --> select "Citroen" and "Xantia")

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 17 Aug 2009, 12:27

Try this is brilliant, I always use this site when buying second hand motors and he actually seems to like Citroens to.

you can enter almost any make and model of car for a fairly decent run down of what to look out for.

www.honestjohn.co.uk

regards Nigel.

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 17 Aug 2009, 23:58

Thanks for the pointers...the Honest John site is good, with lots of info.

Cheers.

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 18 Aug 2009, 11:49

buck,

i think that the only thing Honest John misses is the wear on the rear radius arms and corrosion behind the rear brake discs causing the rear brakes to bind because the brake calipers are out of line with the brake discs.

standing well back from the rear of the Xantia check to see if the rear wheels are upright and have no inward camber with the top of the wheels leanning toward the inner wheelarches.

although a repairable job it can cost a couple of hundred a side to have the bearings replaced in a garage.

As for the rear disks they develop oxidisation behind them because they are steel and their mountings are alluminium the corrosion pushes the brake disc out of line and can cause the rear brakes to bind, my xantia was so severe when I bought it that it put the front of one rear wheel slightly toe in. usually more apparent on cars that have been standing for a long time unused.

again simple enough to fix by removing the corrosion.

buy one you won't regret it and you wont want to let it go once youve got it.

regards Nigel.

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 19 Aug 2009, 00:18

Thanks for that....I have read of the rear disc problem on here before.

I know about the radius arms bearings as when I had a Pug 309 a few Moons back that had the problem....rather than messing on I found a good Axel at the scrappy & fitted that.

Just toying with the idea of a Xantia at the moment...I have never owned a hydraulic suspension car before but just have a fancy for one. I have read that the 2.1 TD diesel is a great engine & it seems well liked on this forum. The only thing that I'm a bit apprehensive of with the 2.1 is the fuel pump....it seems to be the weak point of the engine.

Also most of the hydraulic suspension Citroen's I have seen in the past had some form of oil leak from the suspension, some worse than the others, is it possible to have a leak free system or do you just have to live with the odd drip here & there?

Cheers.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 19 Aug 2009, 00:22

mine don't leak
for me hydraulic suspension is much simpler to maintain than conventional springs and I'd say cheaper and easier to repair/replace.
safer too!

Post by **myglaren** » 19 Aug 2009, 06:42

My first hydraulic Citroen was a GS1220 and it didn't leak in all the time I had it.
Then a BX 19RD that didn't leak.
Then a Xantia 1.9TD - no leaks on that one either.
Currently a leakless C5.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 19 Aug 2009, 08:33

unclebuck,
I wish I was also able to say "mine don't leak". Unfortunately it had a leak and it was from steering rack valve because of a worn out seal

Seal replacement pack solved the problem. So that was the only one in 11 years and 186000 miles

wonderful car with a great ride 8)

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Aug 2009, 08:48

Given the pressure the hydraulic system operates at and the very low viscosity of LHM, small weeps are inevitable but as everyone else has said, the systems can be kept totally leak-free over long periods. leaks are normally pretty easy to rectify, usually be replacing O rings. It is not a reason to not enjoy a hydraulic Citroen

The 2.1TD is a great engine but yes, admittedly, the pump can be the cause of a big headache if it decides to play up; mainly because they are almost unique to the 2.1TD. The only other application I know of was on a Transit Van

That said, if you feed them clean diesel and look after their filters and pipes, they go on pretty reliably. The advantages of having a EPIC injected 2.1TD outweigh the disadvantages in my opinion and if the worst happens, a Bosch or Lucas mechanical pump can be fitted.

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 19 Aug 2009, 09:35

Thanks for the replies.

So it is obviously possible to have a leak free suspension...maybe the cars I saw hadn't been that well maintained.

I read the thread about fitting a Bosch 1.9 pump to a 2.1...it was quite interesting.

Cheers.

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 19 Aug 2009, 22:12

ive been pretty lucky in the five years ive had my xantia no lhm leaks.

I did have an engine oil leak from the vacum pump recently but well advised by forum members it was a very easy job to replace the two rubber seals which cost a, mere 75 pence from a citroen main dealers.

nigel.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Aug 2009, 22:54

Its common place for springs to snap on modern cars now, puncturing the tyre and often leaving the cars underside touching the road. I can imagine thats more than scary at motorway speeds!

Something you wont get with a hydraulic Citroen, although you might see the strut top pop through the bonnet if your very unlucky

My C5 had a leak recently, all was needed was a new seal in the rear cylinder. My local Citroen indy garage says they usually just replace the full cylinder though.

The only other two leaks we have ever had on any of our Citroens, current and past is a pipe burst on the Cx and one of the Activas rams started to leak - the biggest car related mistake was trading that in for a late model Xm. Really wish we still had the Activa

Anyway, yes they are pretty simple, although it would seem the price of genuine Citroen spheres for Xantias is increasing by quite a bit.

If looked after its a cheap system to maintain, but when things go wrong and get leaky or rusted is when id rather have a conventionally sprung car. One local Xm owner i know of spent over £1000 recently at a local Citroen indy having a lot of its pipes replaced

Just copmpare the price of a front Xm strut to a price of a front spring and damper

Still, thats not the point is it

Good luck with the Xantia searching