Should I keep the Xantia?

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 19:47

As much as I love Xantia's mine just seems to be in the garage more than on the road.

I started a list of jobs that need doing, but this list keeps getting longer and longer!

Jobs that need to be done are;

Oil leak, don't know where its coming from although its very small and it doesn't need topping up.

Engine doesn't reach full running temp, i'd say it runs just below 70.

The front brakes squeal like no tomorrow.

When deaccelerating the car rocks about and is very jerky, put your foot down and it goes back to normal.

A couple of other niggles like the n/s door lock doesn't work, put the key in and it just goes round and round, plus the ariel rubber seal has gone so leaks water inside.

Maybe i've got the january blues, but starting to feel out of my depth with all these annoying problems

Any advice?

Thanks.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 02 Jan 2011, 19:56

Better the devil you know is my usual advice. Non of those faults sound terrible and whatever you replace it with is bound to need some money spent on it.

All mine leak oil, as long as they don't leave great pools I don't worry.

70c is quite warm enough for the engine to run efficiently.

So the brakes squeal, do they stop the car OK?

They jerkiness of the engine may be a bit more involved, does it tickover smoothly? if it does it may be an engine mounting issue.

I have some worse faults on my cars.

Peter

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:01

I can't answer your question for you, if you still like the car and think its worth getting the odd jobs done then keep it, if not get something else, but as Peter says, that will probably need something doing too.

With slight oil leaks i always use some Forte Seal Conditioner, it replenishes the oil seals and can cure slight oil leaks. Ive had quite a few success stories with using that, cheaper and easier than finding and replacing seals.

Your Xantias list doesnt sound too bad or too costly.

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:05

Peter.N. wrote:Better the devil you know is my usual advice. Non of those faults sound terrible and whatever you replace it with is bound to need some money spent on it.

All mine leak oil, as long as they don't leave great pools I don't worry.

70c is quite warm enough for the engine to run efficiently.

So the brakes squeal, do they stop the car OK?

They jerkiness of the engine may be a bit more involved, does it tickover smoothly? if it does it may be an engine mounting issue.

I have some worse faults on my cars.

Peter

Brakes work fine, just very loud squeal, which turns heads

It doesn't tick over smoothly, the car is quite shakey. Is it safe?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:07

Replace the thermostat, dead easy to do, just make sure you have new antifreeze to top the system up, or combine it with a flush and renew.

Pop your front wheels off and check the state of the discs and pads, replace if you need to.
I take it if you drive along and apply the hand brake you also get the squeal?

Check the engine mounts.

For the oil leak, check the cam seal, it gets old and hard then leaks, not expensive and is easy to replace.
Another possible place is the vacuum pump seal.

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:24

If the engine mounts need replacing, is that an expensive job to have done?

Thanks for all your comments

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:39

I doubt its engine mounts that need replacing.

I experianced rocking engine/car with my own TD Xantia when I went through a couple of Pump swaps... I THINK it was down to idle speed being too low, you may find it could also be something to do with the Throttle return damper...

Door locks, we ALL have door lock problems, or have had it. Its a case of crap in the lock which would need removing, possble with the handle left on the car too, and cleaning it out, however, lock dismantleing is not a simple job.

Oil leaks, are XUD common, but one of 3 places, rocker cover gasket, Cam shaft oil seal ( Belt and cam pully off unfortunally), crank shaft seal leak, sometimes sump gaskets leak too... Leaks can also come from the Cam shaft End Cap but not as often as the belt end.

Because of the rearwards incline of the engine by design, rocker cover and cam seal leaks always work towards the rear and drip off the rear corner of the sump...

Paul

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:53

Thank you Paul, mine IS dripping off the rear corner of the sump, so it should be rocker cover or cam seal then?

Think I might have to book my car in the garage for a (another) treat.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Jan 2011, 20:54

Might have asked you before, where are you? in the uk?

Paul

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:08

I'm in Dorset.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:14

Ah thats right, a bit away from me... shame..

Fancy a holiday to North Wales?

Paul

colski · Post by **colski** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:20

Thats a little too far unfortunately

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:34

Oil leak wise, another thing to check is the oil filler cap seal. I've had to replace those a few times. Only available as a complete cap though.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:46

Oil filler caps are not mounted on the engine head rocker cover on XUD engines, but go down to the front of the engine nearer the gearbox end.

I have though, seen these weep too.

Paul

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 02 Jan 2011, 21:54

Oooop's, forgot that ! Too long with an HDI !!