XM Fettling - MOT Day

[High Jetter]

7 hours ago, wesacosa said:

sorry about the stain on your trailer, mate

Couldn't you wait? Well bought, more like a modern DS. Brilliant.

[Datsuncog]

Very nice. I found the handbrake arrangements on the manual XM took a bit of getting used to, but no doubt you'll work out your own hill-start shuffle in good time.

This one looks like it's been well cared for, and hopefully there'll be plenty of wafty fun to enjoy here.

[Bstardchild]

Love these - got to borrow the bosses V6 or turbo (can't remember) years ago - it went well and the seats were mega comfy

Don't want to own one but I'm glad others do

[Zelandeth]

Nice!  Getting to be rare cars now.  Nice colour too.

They're a car I've always fancied...but shied away from because of complexity.

...Then ended up with a Xantia...Activa.  Oh...and a V12 Jag XJ-S.  Yeah.

[wesacosa]

9 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Nice!  Getting to be rare cars now.  Nice colour too.

They're a car I've always fancied...but shied away from because of complexity.

...Then ended up with a Xantia...Activa.  Oh...and a V12 Jag XJ-S.  Yeah.

Ooh, a Xantia Activa. Would love a go in one of those.

[Spurious]

3 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

Ooh, a Xantia Activa. Would love a go in one of those.

They're brilliant. 

Best handling car I ever drove. Or ever will to be honest. Shame it was only the LP Turbo in UK/IRL and not the V6. But you'd leave anything for dust in the twisty bits so didn't matter. 

[wesacosa]

given I can't drive it until the new V5 comes , this isn't a full jobs list but so far found the following issues

LCD screen not working (TADTS, and can apparently be fixed)

Chirping noise, seems to be alternator or belt. Belt looks very worn

No evidence of a cambelt change so will need to be done

Drivers electric window dead

Passenger electric window makes noise but doesn't move

Heater fan dead

ABS light on

LHM puddle on drive , initial inspection suggest brake valve as under the scuttle is full of fluid

 

new o ring and end cap ordered so fingers crossed that fixes it

Steering seemed a bit notchy when I pulled it on the drive so after watching one of @dollywobbler's videos from his XM ownership I think a fluid change and filter clean might be in order

Oil and filter change and then hopefully a proper road test can be done

Can't wait

 

[dean36014]

I might have a brand new heater fan in a box I'd be willing to sell. Mine I believe is for an Aircon model. It's easy enough to remove under the glovebox

[wesacosa]

26 minutes ago, dean36014 said:

I might have a brand new heater fan in a box I'd be willing to sell. Mine I believe is for an Aircon model. It's easy enough to remove under the glovebox

cheers. I haven't checked the obvious yet like wires and fuse but will give you a shout if the fan turns out to be Donald ducked

[artdjones]

It might be worth doing a Hydraurinçage flush as part of the fluid change/filter clean. Then all the bits and pieces deposited in the system will end up in the filters and will be removed when they are cleaned before putting the new LHM in.

[wesacosa]

2 minutes ago, artdjones said:

It might be worth doing a Hydraurinçage flush as part of the fluid change/filter clean. Then all the bits and pieces deposited in the system will end up in the filters and will be removed when they are cleaned before putting the new LHM in.

yeah I was looking at that. looks like GSF still sell the flush so might give it a go

[jamescarruthers]

Sadly Hudraurinçage was discontinued a few years ago. If you do find some old stock, it would be worth doing a  1500 miles or so with it  
 

http://www.club-xm.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10128&sid=9548a63c2b34c4ef462fe82bce953b59

[wesacosa]

9 minutes ago, jamescarruthers said:

Sadly Hudraurinçage was discontinued a few years ago. If you do find some old stock, it would be worth doing a  1500 miles or so with it  
 

http://www.club-xm.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10128&sid=9548a63c2b34c4ef462fe82bce953b59

ah yes.GSF still show it on the website but when you try and buy it , there is no stock

[jamescarruthers]

8 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

ah yes.GSF still show it on the website but when you try and buy it , there is no stock

These guys in NL seem to have some, it might be worth a call to double check shipping. I’m sure it will be pricey as there is import duty and administration charges for EU —> UK shipments now. 
 

https://www.vintage-citroen.com/a-50947251/hydraulics-spheres/total-hydraurincage-5-liter/#

[Tadhg Tiogar]

3 hours ago, wesacosa said:

ah yes.GSF still show it on the website but when you try and buy it , there is no stock

Try Amazon or eBay, but not cheap!!

[wesacosa]

First day free to so some fettling on the XM, and the news is mixed

First time I started it up since I bought it and it fired instantly with no smoking or coughing.  Filling up the LHM has put the "stop" light off and the heater blower seems to be working  now , although I didn't do anything to it

I decided to have a go at the leaking brake doseur valve, hoping it the button seal.  First job was to depressurise the system, which involves dropping it to lowest setting and then cracking the pressure bleed valve on the regulator. I would love to meet the person who decided where that pressure valve lives as its almost impossible to get at from engine bay, and almost impossible to get from underneath when car is on lowest setting.   

Managed to get it done but found some LHM around the bottom of the pressure regulator, its not pudding onto the floor but its definitely damp around that area 🤦🏼

next up was to get to the doseur valve (brake master cylinder for those not au fait with the hydropneumatic suspension, like me !!)

Easy enough to get to on a RHD as its all in the scuttle, but I believe a pain on the LHD

Three bolts and the bracket from the brake pedal lever is removed, then two bolts and the cylinder is free from the car. Looked promising as the fluid was definitely leaking from around the seal, and the seal is not OEM (which are black) but a cheap ebay one. looking good.

However after prising off the hog ring and withdrawing the seal its clear quite a bit of fluid seems to be getting into the chamber past the O ring sitting behind that circlip. Given that the button seal is the usual source of a leak I assume some fluid must be able to get into that chamber but I am not sure how much.  Some of those O rings are still available and some are obsolete

 

[Zelandeth]

I wouldn't worry too much about the area around the pressure regulator etc looking slightly damp.  LHM has an incredible ability to creep over time, so even the tiniest weep will spread out over an area.  So long as it's not actively *wet* or dripping you should be fine.

At least it's less obnoxious when that valve leaks on the XM.  On the Xantia it fills the driver's footwell up with LHM, which does a lovely job of dissolving the carpet underlay and sound deadening into a horrific sticky, tarry molten mess.

[wesacosa]

also some slight bending on the ring which secures the rubber button cap in place, which are now obsolete by Citroen

can see how parts supply on stuff like this is going to kill these cars off. Finding a lot of stuff like these brake valve seals and ABS sensor just aren't made anymore 

 

[Zelandeth]

1 hour ago, wesacosa said:

also some slight bending on the ring which secures the rubber button cap in place, which are now obsolete by Citroen

can see how parts supply on stuff like this is going to kill these cars off. Finding a lot of stuff like these brake valve seals and ABS sensor just aren't made anymore 

 

Yep, legacy parts support from PSA is pretty shocking.  That's likely what will see the Activa off as my daily... Which will suck because I've not the foggiest idea what's competent enough at absolutely everything to replace it!

[wesacosa]

time to stop for the day before I lose my patience with it. I simply cannot get that bastard ring to sit in square with the new seal

[wesacosa]

today has not gone well so far 😡

[jonathan_dyane]

I think what the problem is you need to fit the retainer into the seal first then push them in together, ideally with something like a big socket. If you fit the seal then try to push the retainer in it won’t work.

Hopefully you can straighten the retainer out a bit first.

[wesacosa]

2 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I think what the problem is you need to fit the retainer into the seal first then push them in together, ideally with something like a big socket. If you fit the seal then try to push the retainer in it won’t work.

Hopefully you can straighten the retainer out a bit first.

yeah I was going to try that next, until I wrecked the seal, although the guides I saw on Citroen forums suggested they didn't go in together, but I pushed the ring until my fingers hurt and would not budge a mm further. I think the ring is not great but it's quite tough so not sure it will bend back that easy. 

[jonathan_dyane]

You might struggle unless you can straighten it up or find another ring

[wesacosa]

yeah going to see if I can find another. I have to wait to get a new seal so can't do much now.  Not very hopeful though as they obsolete and have been for several years. 

 

[jonathan_dyane]

I know I have one somewhere, I will have a look on Monday but I can’t promise I can locate it…

[wesacosa]

14 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

I know I have one somewhere, I will have a look on Monday but I can’t promise I can locate it…

cheers mate, although I think I have found one online ( the only place showing any stock) I have ordered so will see if something arrives !!

[jonathan_dyane]

Fingers crossed!

[jonathan_dyane]

@wesacosa should it not arrive

[wesacosa]

7 minutes ago, jonathan_dyane said:

@wesacosa should it not arrive

Ah great. thanks!  should know by mid next week