1996 2.5 VSX Estate

[oli]

Hi

I have spotted this car in a local auction

It looks to have been well looked after - full service history apparently (and i have had a quick look , it has quality tyres with lots of tread - not 'budget' - always a good sign)
http://www.leominstercarauctions.co.uk/ ... ke=Citroen

I am SO tempted to buy it myself because it is exactly the car i would love but currently getting divorced and really dont have the time, energy, or money for anything

I will probably go this morning and see what else I can find out - I have a list of things to check, kindly supplied by forum members & will put an update on here which i hope will be useful

I hope it goes to a good home, or at least is of use to someone who loves XMs - it is likely to sell very cheaply because we are in the middle of the sticks and if its not a peugeot or a ford or, (god forbid) a landrover, there is not much interest

Feeling gutted

[oli]

UPDATE

Checked the paperwork - lots of it
Early stuff was citroen dealers & ind citroen garages
More Recent is general garages with LOTS of visits for one or two items
Some work carried out FOC (free) - did they mess up the first time

Mention of oil in water - oil/water heat exchanger or head gasket?? and cooling sytem flush

Still think its a good car though or have i just been smitten?

[xmexclusive]

Hi Oli

Oil in water is a known occasional problem with 2.5 engine's.
Should have added it to the list.
Very easy to spot, just lift the coolant cap.
Any oil floats on top so just a little present lays thick.
Usually caused by failure of oil cooler, head gasket much less common unlike 2.1's.
Very difficult to flush the remains of the oil out even when the problem sorted.

Mileage is on the lowish side for one of these.

John

[oli]

Hi

Came with 10 months tax and MOT, and on looking in header tank *loads* of oil - almost so much that it seems unlikey to be head gasket (does that make any sense??) because it sounds great and doesnt seem to pressurise fast, and doesnt have the burnt coolant exhaust smell or steam (on a very quick peek)

Fingers crossed because I BOUGHT IT anyway

Paid under £500 even with buyers premium etc

Apart from the oil - it looks really good so didnt want to see it go, to cash in tax, sell tyres and scrap it (1500kg), which was the general vibe in the room

If it turns out to be a disaster, I will at least have scratched my XM itch and either cured it or fuelled it. And wont leave me much poorer

In part it was all the help on here that encouraged me, so, thanks guys (i think)

Will collect it on monday when insurance sorted & looking forward to playing

oli

[andmcit]

Watch the oil doesn't leach and rot the hoses from the inside out; I had this with a v6 Xm with a failed
oil / water heat exchanger cooler. Once diagnosed, the immediate fix was painless but the long term
repair was a pain as various hoses subsequently failed along the way in use.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Oli

A 2.5 can be run with the oil cooler out of circuit.
Did that for over a year with one of mine.
Just join the inlet and outlet hoses.
Short length of 155 copper pipe and 2 jubilee clips.
Then try flushing the oil out.
Lots of rags round the header tank then overfill it to float oil out the top.
If you drain down the oil just sticks to the inside of the pipes and reappears on refilling.
I had to resort to adding a dishwasher tablet to shift the oil.
Do not forget to keep the antifreeze strength up.
If the coolant is oily it cannot be tested.
No far off the frost season now.

John

[CitroJim]

No far off the frost season now.

Oh ye harbinger of deep joy John

Oli, well bought and welcome to the world of the XM. Have a lovely ride

[robert_e_smart]

It has already started here!