A bit of a delayed post after my initial introduction, as the project was put to one side. However, I'm back on the case with my XM and I'll do my best to document progress here along with probably a never ending list of questions as I get my head around some parts of the car.
Here she was as she came in:
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/XFYvzfn/IMG-2480.jpg)
The first thing I replaced was the accumulator sphere as it didn't appear to be working
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/fG98WYk/IMG-5632.jpg)
This has improved the brakes and the suspension doesn't rapidly sink with the engine off now, so that's something ticked off the list.
I've looked into the slow starting, and I'm fairly certain air is getting into the system somehow. I have a Bosch pump:
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/5vkvHzb/IMG-5633.jpg)
The fuel heater is already looped out, so that's that crossed off. I've replaced the spill off pipes as one was leaking, but that hasn't cured the starting problem so there must be air getting in elsewhere. I've checked the glow plugs and they're all measuring sensible resistance and the relay works correctly. If you prime the fuel system via the button on the filter then the car starts fairly easily. The previous owner seemed to think that there was a leak in the fuel pump, and supplied me with a spare engine and pump to swap over - I'm not sure how I would diagnose this bar seeing a fuel leak on the fuel pump body?
Alongside this the wipers weren't working properly, and some investigation led me to find the passenger side spindle was seized. I've stripped that, cleaned and re-greased the parts, then rebuilt it.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/6rBR20J/IMG-5803.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/zhytR3M/IMG-5804.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/8N0L8dk/IMG-5813.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/t2zDfPn/IMG-5818.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/M9YyyTL/IMG-5823.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/ncJvMkG/IMG-5824.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/DYDnJY7/IMG-5827.jpg)
I made an effort to ensure that things were lined up as they were before they came off, although it turns out where they were originally parking was quite far off.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/DW5CFnv/IMG-5842.jpg)
I adjusted them to account for their travel, and all seemed good... until I refitted the painted scuttle trim. The drivers arm clatters into the trim when it parks. If I adjust it one spline up, it sails off the side of the windscreen at full travel. I'm sure it's parked in the correct position, but something isn't lining up properly anymore.
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/DYmqHpW/IMG-5850.jpg)
I'm pretty sure I've got the right arm on each side (my paint mark wore off before refitting...)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/JCNLDHb/IMG-5852.jpg)
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/WKfMbP8/IMG-5851.jpg)
I feel like if the whole wiper assembly could rotate back on its axis somehow then it would be ok, I only need a few extra mm of clearance - there's absolutely no movement in the wiper assembly though when you slack off the fasteners.
So I need to have a think and come back to that.
Another problem I've only just started to investigate is the ABS. I appear to have a Bendix unit, and when starting the car the ABS light comes on, briefly goes out and comes back on again - it then stays on. From a little bit of bedtime reading I understand that this potentially means that the ABS self diagnostic starts but is failing at the first test. I haven't been able to find a list of blink codes though so I'm unsure what this is telling me. Presumably that an unobtainable sensor needs replacing...
The headlights have come back to life at least, and after replacing a sidelight bulb I now have a full compliment of lights.
I'm keen to get to the bottom of the wiper alignment and the ABS fault(s) as quickly as possible as once these are sorted I will put it in for an MOT. The slow starting is less urgent, but I will need to get to the bottom of that too.
Oh, and for some reason the boot has suddenly decided that it won't open - I can't tell if it has suddenly locked itself (it never used to lock on the central locking) or if the pull handle has stopped operating the latch. Does anyone have any pointers for releasing the hatch from the inside?
If I can get on top of the mechanical bits may even give it a wash soon, as I reckon that the green will look fantastic with the years of barn dust removed
![Image](https://i.ibb.co/d5TtRPm/IMG-5658.jpg)