CitroJim's 2.0TCT SEi Auto

[russ92xmsed]

Nice one Jim. I bet changing your pads was much more straight forward than my little escapade. Those winding tools are great.

[CitroJim]

Those winding tools are great.

And just about indispensable Russ... It's a heck of a long and tedious job without one

It's been a lovely day down here today and my last full day of freedom before I begin work again tomorrow. It's been three months now and it’ll seem odd to be working again... Half-days for the next 12 weeks to see how it goes and then - who knows?

So, I've been making good use of it. Engine oil, gearbox ATF and coolant all changed on the XM Oddly, the ATF change is the easiest of the lot. The oil filter is hemmed in a bit by the LPG vaporiser heater pipes and takes a bit of getting out. I treated myself to one of those oil filter removal tools today that look like a big pair of forceps. They're excellent and without them I'd have struggled a bit.

I also cocked up refilling it. I'm so used to knowing how much oil a TCT in the Activa takes I assumed the XM TCT took the same. It's dangerous to assume anything with an XM and found I'd well overfilled it I had to carefully loosen the sump plug and let some out

The coolant was trickier than it should have been - the rad drain cock is broken and can't be used. I had no option but to disconnect the hose that goes to the LPG vapouriser at a convenient tee-piece and drain that way.

The ATF was easy by comparison It was a bit mucky and I'm pleased the gearbox has now had two changes in short succession. It smelt OK and luckily I didn't overfill it..

I did have a bit of a worry though. I drained the ATF into a cat litter tray and noted there seemed to be lots of metallic flakes present. I then saw these metallic flakes are actually embedded in the plastic of the tray and not floating in the oil at all - phew!

I rounded off the day by spraying some Dynax UC around underneath the car - hopefully to keep winter at bay a bit. Already the poor XM has been showered with salt a few times this year. On the way back from Aberystwyth the gritters were out with gay abandon Gawd knows why - it was wet, mild and a long way off freezing and a frost was not even forecast. Crazy

[CitroJim]

A great day at the NEC Classic Car Show yesterday It was great to see Chris's (Citroenmad) Activa on the CCC stand and to meet up with a few characters...

I travelled there courtesy of the Chris570 limousine service - otherwise known as his XM V6 and it was most pleasant relaxing (yes!) as a passenger in that fine car

The show was good although a day is not really long enough to appreciate everything. I gravitated toward the tool stands as is my usual and came away with some goodies...

A new set of numberplates for the XM with Welsh dragons on them...

A set of everlasting drills - we'll see

And a small gas welding kit, something I've been toying with getting hold of for ages. It's rather good too and apart from small and delicate welding jobs it's great for brazing and warming up things that are otherwise reluctant to move

[CitroJim]

New numberplates fitted today....

[citroenxm]

Theres no Denying Jim, New number plates are not, shes still the BEST eira, 1994 on an L plate.. No newer.... thank god..

Awww look at that, a welsh dragon, I bet that will get a few funny looks down there when people see it...

[CitroJim]

I agree Paul, the best vintage for an XM

Awww look at that, a welsh dragon, I bet that will get a few funny looks down there when people see it...

Not where I intend for me and that car to end up it won't

[citroenxm]

Nice ONE Jim!!!

[russ92xmsed]

Number plate looks great.

I totally forgot about the NEC until it was too late.
Glad you had a great time Jim. You can spend ages going round all the stalls ect.

[ragger]

Looks good. New number plates make a very noticeable difference to a car's appearance in my view. NB What a daft sentence construction that is!

Rob

[CitroJim]

Sentence construction looks fine to me Rob...