R267PGF 2.0TCT - MOT Pass!

[beko1987]

Ah I think there's oil getting in somewhere. It's had a full flush, went back to the oily froth within a week. Also, with the various leaks in the system it's had about 6 flushes and refills worth of topups!

The leaks are stopped now, so on payday I intend to get some antifreeze and do a flush/refill ready for winter, not sure how oily water will react to being frozen, and I like to leave before 6 on icy days to avoid the spacktards!

On lighter news, I swapped the hydraflush for LHM

This was nice clear hydraflush. Been in about 3000 miles



The filters were covered in little bits. Came off with a blast of brake cleaner and a rinse with the hose



Did some citrobatics and it went up and down very nicely. Also, for what I think is the first time ever, it went into normal mode (rather than hard mode), the back actually absorbed tiny imperfections, rather than smashing about. Since then it's been a bit iffy re hard/soft, I think I should get the two centre spheres diagnosed. Also didn't bleed the brakes, mainly because I couldn't be bothered. I bled them really well when the hydraflush went in, I'll do it in a few months when I get some more LHM (Only for 250ml left, not enough for bleeding!)

The old girl could do with a wash and polish/wax before winter though. Pondering getting some part worn winter tyres fitted too in readiness...

[Eddie nuff]

Need to do all this on my Xantia - the spheres are over 5 years old and the LHM has been in for over 2 years.

[beko1987]

I had a rare day to myself on saturday, so decided to pay CitroJim a visit! I'm very glad I did!

After staring in awe at his workshop, he set me to work. He explained how to get the car safely up on stands, which was handy as I've always been unsure as to where to place stands and jacks on an XM, and we removed the spheres one by one, and tested them on his excelletn sphere tester. All were spot on, which is nice. Jim then got his Elit box out, and cleared out a number of old fault codes. In doing this he diagnosed the turbo sensor which sits right at the top of the bulkhead had had it, and was throwing the EML light on when the turbo kicked in and out. He kindly swapped the part out for me, and the eml light has stayed off!

I couldnt get the rear centre sphere out however, the exhaust heatshield has rusted badly, and the captive nuts bolting it onto the axle casing gave up without any fight, and now spin merrily in their broken captive casing. I have a plan for this, and once sorted I shall return to test the last sphere, which felt very rusty under the heatshield!

Overall, a very good day. She rides so much better now, the hydractive light flashes upon startup now as it should, and the rear isnt quite as crashy now. The turbo kicks in alot sharper than it did, and overall feels alot more responsive!

Now that is sorted, I may treat her to a good pre winter wash and brushup this weekend if the weather is good!

Thanks again Jim! The bread was delicious!

[captainhaddock]

Those little jobs make such a difference. Was it you that had that strange knocking sound in or around the safety belt anchor..I took the roller mechanism out the day before yesterday and: found absolutely nothing. I expected to find a bolt or something lying around there but it was totally empty. But the noise seems to have disappeared miraculously (for now)

[beko1987]

I have many strange noises but none around the seatbelt anchor I dont think. have lost about £2 worth of change around that area though, they fall through onto the carpet eventually though. I do have an annoying buzz coming from the interior light cluster, specifically the plastic lens. Need to fix that with some blu-tack though. And my dashboard makes some alarming cracking noises sometimes on a hot day when I get moving!

[CitroJim]

Sam, it was a real pleasure to meet you on Saturday and I'm delighted the work you did has been most beneficial

Thinking on I reckon that rear centre sphere might be a bit soft and well worth a check. I'd be inclined to get one in stock ready.

What's the pan on the heatshield? I as as I bet nine’s as bad...

And my dashboard makes some alarming cracking noises sometimes on a hot day when I get moving!

It must be normal as mine does the same thing. It is alarming!

But the noise seems to have disappeared miraculously (for now)

So has mine - for now I'm sure it'll return!

[beko1987]

It felt crusty enough when I put my hand over the heatshield to find it! A preventative change may be worth it anyway, even if it is ok, saves having to go under there for a long while!

[beko1987]

Had planned to give the old xm a good wash and polish today, but then couldnt be bothered, so she had a good winter service instead.

No pictures I'm afraid, thats how much motivation I had!

Fixed the exhaust. It was rubbing on the little crossmember by the centre silencer. No matter what I tried however it woudlnt stop touching it, and its all clamped up correctly. Fixed by tying it up with some stiff wire around the heatshield in a few places. Lifted it up nicely, and pushed all the joints together stopping a blow. Car sounds so much better at idle now thats not banging away underneath. Was there a special clamp for that part, or a rubber mount? Been tols it just bolts together and sorts itself out but there was lots of up and down movement as it was.

Drained the oil, and put a new filter on and some new oil

New air filter

Topped up the coolant (had sunk about 1cm since last saturday

Hoovered thoroughly

Spent some time with some cable ties securing the pipes under the car in the absence of a cover. Thought of a way to fix it using an old computer case... Either way, it hadnt caught anything yet, and sits higher and more secure now so is unlikely to in the future

Topped up the screenwash with APC and water for the last time before it has to be filled with neat antifreeze (5degrees is the lowest its been here for now

Fitted my Autoshite window sticker, and found my old Arthur Daley one I had in the Puma, which still stuck well.




Unblocked the rear washer jet finally (water shot out a good 20ft with the nozzle removed, was great fun!) Lots of crap blew through, so confident its sorted now

Spent time with a pin and got the rear jet and drivers front jets aligned beautifully. Left the passenger ones as their good enough and I never sit there.

Almost fixed my horrendous wheel shake, and ruled out anything other than tracking and wheel balancing to be the issue. Swapped the front pass wheel with the rear pass one as the front was getting a bit low on the outer edge, compared to the good rear one. In swapping this there isnow a slight murmer at about 68mph, apart from that its great! To be fixed soon with new tyres all round and a good track and balance session.

Went to the tip

And collected this beauty


Now to have a shower and do some more jobs!

[CitroJim]

I couldn't be bothered to wash mine either Sam but it got a good wash in the torrential rain on the way down to Somerset this morning

I like the new Hoover... That's a pretty vintage one by the looks of it. Does it work?

[beko1987]

Very early 1940's Hoover 262. Purrs like new, but will get a full rebuild in time! It matches my Hoover Junior 119 from 1952 as well which is nice.

Bet there was some horrible rain down Somerset way! Nice clean windscreen now...