Citroen XM - was JohnK's steed

[dollywobbler]

I know, and I've definitely felt the benefit, but I'm yet to really get a chance to test them on snow. In particular, what I'd really like is to try them in a similar situation to when I got the BX horribly stuck four years ago, but we've not had that much snow since. Probably because most winters since then, I've taken the precaution of having winter tyres.

[Lacquer Peel]

What stopped the BX, was it ground clearance? Beautiful views by the way.

[HMC]

Great shot! Always wondered how the rear lightning is organised on these; the smoked lenses dont give much away, is it just the indicators on the upper cluster?

[dollywobbler]

Reverse lights too. Tail-light split into four sections (two in the tailgate) and all four also double as brake lights. Fog lights are hidden in the tailgate section.

[Station]

That's exactly the same as mine!

I changed my glow plugs today, I let is so easy to remove. Glow plugs aren't especially as they were seized.

Changed nothing though, still takes ages to start - here's a novel idea, maybe it's something electrical that's gone? Crazy I know.

[dollywobbler]

Mine is starting quite well. A little lumpy for a second or two but not enough to get me thinking 'glow plugs' yet. Air leaks in the fuel line can make starting difficult. Is there a primer? I can't even remember. Which shows how much time I haven't spent in the engine bay!

 

Oh, another thought. When mine went in for the welding, the specialist spotted that a tiny plug was missing from the final injector. It's where the small diameter hose goes from each injector to the next - unnecessary on the last one (nearside) so there's a little blanking plug. Replacing that made a BIG difference to starting. Before, it would crank and crank before catching. Now, it's pretty instant.

[beko1987]

The double brake lights are handy, if one goes it's not illegal as there's still one lit on the side! Got me through an mot that did!

[dollywobbler]

This was a pretty decent test for the tyres. VERY impressed. Did a five-point turn here with no wheelspin at all. There was some hideous sheet ice about - granted you need studs for that sort of thing. I just tried to drive over it in as straight a line as possible. Scary. 

 

On the frozen snow though, traction was incredible, and I could do a normal halt without the ABS kicking in. We were pallet hunting. Some idiot had abandoned them roadside (in this beautiful location!) so we've nabbed them to build a wood store. Hadn't appreciated just how hairy the conditions were though! This road was clear last night.

[AnthonyG]

Awesome scenery, kind of glad I don't have to drive around in it at the moment though!

[dollywobbler]

It was a bit squeaky-bum in places. I wonder how the modern Volvo thing on low-profile tyres got on. I was going to warn them about conditions but as the bloke seemed in a rush, and reluctant to move over for me and my trailer, I didn't. 

[messerschmitt owner]

That's exactly the same as mine!

I changed my glow plugs today, I let is so easy to remove. Glow plugs aren't especially as they were seized.

Changed nothing though, still takes ages to start - here's a novel idea, maybe it's something electrical that's gone? Crazy I know.

Station

if it's taking an age to start - prime the fuel pump! Running veg it did require it ocasionally. The filter in there has only been in a thousand miles or so.

 

On the filter housing there is a little bleed screw, turn it and pump on the button on top until you have a stream of diesel coming out (about five-six pumps) and then press on the button as you close the bleed screw.

 

Citroen XMs seem to be prone to air in the fuel system. All three of my diesels have done it at some point.

[dollywobbler]

Because I'm an idiot, I forgot to take any pictures of me bleeding the brakes the other day. So, I did it all again for the benefit of the camera. Thought I might as well bleed a bit more out, because I take my acting seriously and another bubble of air popped out of the nearside rear. That was nice. Have also discovered that the benefit of steel wheels is that you can pull the wheel trim off, which makes refitting the wheel a doddle. It's a pain in the arse if you can't see the centre hole, which is another reason I hate aloys. And wheel bolts rather than studs.

 

Feeling pleased with myself, I gave the ol' girl a wash. 

[scooters]

Ive got winter tyres on my XM at the moment - makes a hell of a difference especially in the wet, braking improved no end

[dollywobbler]

Ive got winter tyres on my XM at the moment - makes a hell of a difference especially in the wet, braking improved no end

 

That's been my major finding too. Problem is, you don't notice the advantage most of the time, because you don't always drive performing emergency stops. I've driven three different cars and several minibuses on winter tyres now, and the difference with retardation is very marked. 

[scooters]

usually I don't bother with winter tyres but as I had a set and since moving to Hexham I unged them on in October - the fuel consumption went up but I had to pull off an emergency stop within a week of putting them on had I not had them I would have been hit by the pillock who came round a blind corner on a lane at 30mph

[dollywobbler]

Today, I actually got the first proper pangs of 'this car seems less magical than I thought it was.' Which is annoying, as I've just forked out for a timing belt kit and water pump - though the pump is going back as it was damaged in transit. 

 

I think it could do with a fresh cash injection to be honest. Certainly, I feel a sphere refresh would probably do it the world of good. It seems to be distinctly jiggly at times. Or maybe it's just that the 2CV seems especially good fun at the moment. I'm off to Sussex next week. I can't decide which car to take.

[dollywobbler]

Well, it's still here! Further cash injection on the way thanks to some paid invoices and work. This weekend, it's a double-whammy of heading up to Messerschmitt Owner's gaff to swap the sunroof assembly over, then leaving it in Hereford for a few days where Pete Sparrow will carry out a timing belt replacement and, hopefully, a service. I'm now fretting about the 'stat as it does run a bit cool at times (70 degrees if I trust the gauge) and it seems to make sense to change if it all the coolant is coming out (water pump and tensioner also to be replaced). I should end up with the coolest courtesy car in the world again...

 

I am still liking the XM a lot, but the ride is definitely getting bouncier. It isn't smooooooth. So I need to crack on with sphere replacement/regassing at some point. Has to be a lower priority than timing belt though! I could also do with sorting out some annoying trim rattles and I think an engine mounting might be getting a bit weak. Not that you have to change gear very often in one of these.

 

It is a car I simply see no reason to sell though. Which is good, as Mrs DW is rather worried that expenditure on a car is usually followed by selling it for a pittance.

 

Slightly distressing that I might have to use the XM for 2CV camps over the summer. It's a really nice car, but it's no 2CV.

[Six-cylinder]

 

Slightly distressing that I might have to use the XM for 2CV camps over the summer. It's a really nice car, but it's no 2CV.

 

Why no 2CV in the summer?

[dollywobbler]

MOT is up in April, and it's not passing another until it gets a LOT of money thrown at it. Which I don't have.

[Six-cylinder]

Can it not be coaxed through with a shiters bodge or two?

 

There is always a spare Visa here if you need it for an event.

[dollywobbler]

It's way beyond that. It does seem you can buy new complete bodies - that'll do! XM will suffice for the summer but thanks.

[DSdriver]

MOT is up in April, and it's not passing another until it gets a LOT of money thrown at it. Which I don't have.

I read this first because I went straight to last page.Was thinking how quickly things change from day to day, so I went back for a re-read. Now I realise you are on about the 2CV. Confusion over.

[DSdriver]

If you put a new body on a car that has had a new chassis is it still the same car?

[Lukas]

It´s like the LR Defenders so many people absolutely love and tell you how reliable they are. 300.000km on the clock. And only the third gearbox, the second engine and a galvanised chassis. 

 

So I guess it´s the same car on papers, but not really. 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

 

 

There is always a spare Visa here if you need it for an event.

Only on here ,is it normal to have a spare Visa.

If you put a new body on a car that has had a new chassis is it still the same car?

In its soul,yes.

[dollywobbler]

SUNROOF REPORT

 

So, last weekend, I set about removing the headlining. This turned out to be pretty easy bar the strongest velcro known to man.

 

This was not very surprising given how much water has got in. It's still drying in the garage. I have reattached the material.

 

Fast-forward to today and after a lovely drive to the Forest of Dean, I arrived at Chez MesserschmittOwner. This all needs to come out.

 

Naturally, work was delayed by the need to drink tea and talk about awesome tiny cars.

 

This is the second time I've had a Fiat 126 watching me tinker. Roof out!

 

This is why it was leaking. The frame had got very rotten. That starts making the seal bulge away from the glass, and water simply comes through. The seal was soaked, proving that my tape bodge had not been effective.

 

Things went a bit wrong at this point. We fitted the new sunroof assembly, but it was all seized. We tried to free it up but in the end I decided we'd be better off 'simply' swapping the frame and glass over. We learnt a lot about how sunroofs work today...

 

Eventually we succeeded!

 

The roof sits too low in the 'stop' position, so we just quickly pressed 'up' to get it sitting nicely. I'll try and sort this out once I get the car home. Big thanks to MO for his herculean efforts today. That 1hr job didn't have escalate! A four-hour session in the end. Thanks also to Mrs MO for lending muscle. Trying to hold up a weighty sunroof mechanism AND bolt it in is quite a challenge.

 

The XM is now in Hereford, awaiting a cambelt change before another roadtrip next weekend. It should be ready on Friday hopefully. In the meantime, I'm having lots of fun.

[beko1987]

Lol your garage doesn't look any cleaner Campbell! Smart car looks even more buried!

 

I checked all my spheres apart from the accumulator, and I reckon it was that one causing my bouncy ride, which was still 80% better than driving the zx over the same roads...

[messerschmitt owner]

now I'm jealous!

 

Nice XM too, but you could tell from the seats that it's been damp in there.

 

Let's hope the new glass makes a bit of a difference in there.

 

Your glass was absolutely knackered though. I'm going to keep all the bits for a couple of weeks just in case ...

 

Sorry we didn't have time to sneak the 126 out - you would have liked it!

[messerschmitt owner]

the garage is a wee bit messy at the moment - not helped by keeping a plan chest and a bookcase in there - plus the seat for the Dispatch, which needs to go back inside. Chain saw needs to come out to demolish an old wardrobe so the plan chest and bookcase can go inside.

 

The engine hoist has been out and I may need it soon so it's not gone back.

[dieselassist]

"The roof sits too low in the 'stop' position, so we just quickly pressed 'up' to get it sitting nicely. I'll try and sort this out once I get the car home."

 

I bought a trademan Xantia years ago from a citroen dealer; lotsa s/h history, but they couldn't get it to start, n the sunroof was stuck open a bit - they couldn't fix it n taped a square of plastic over the roof...

 

I managed to eventually start it at the dealers, much to the mirth of all the technicians at the workshop (and the salesman who remwarded me by adding another few hundred to the asking price), n drove it home...

 

the following day, I investigated the 'open a jar' sunroof - they had taken down the electric motor off the mechanisms 'cog wheel' - long story short I managed to get the sunroof functioning fully - the motor is synced to the mechanism - I 'parked the motor' in the closed position n shoved the sunroof mechanism itself to shut - it took a few attempts, n I was initially 'one cog out' as I remember...

 

Its possibly the same with XM sunroof mechanisms....