2 * 2.1 SD

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Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Sun Feb 28, 2016 3:32 pm

Just an update on the starter motor fix. IMO, this is well worth doing as the performance of this one is now exceptionally good. At -2c earlier this week, it started the engine in under 1s having been left overnight, as it was spining at full speed.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
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Ciaran
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Ciaran » Sun Feb 28, 2016 4:54 pm

Excellent starter work Will.
I have had many an XM with lazy starters, mainly all petrol though (any diesel starting problems have always been the failing ignition switch / relay fix).
In some cases cleaning up the terminals / changing the battery made a marginal improvement, but with one particular car (2.0 SEI) the starter was changed by a mechanic friend who suggested it sounded quite slow. I actually thought that that one was relatively Ok, because it had always cranked that way since I first bought it, and had never once failed to start, but once the replacement starter was fitted I instantly noticed the difference, it was like night and day.

Might be well worth carrying out your suggestion on any that start acting up in future, it doesn't look too bad a job either, thanks for posting it.

Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Tue Mar 01, 2016 6:10 pm

A couple of times in the last week I have noticed the power steering assistance disappear for a few seconds, only int he first 5 minutes of driving on cold mornings. Initially I wondered if the FDV was sticking, but then thought it might be air being drawn into the hydraulics.
Yesterday I checked the suction pipe for tigtness on both spigots and found I could twist it on the pump spigot.
Tighteing the clamp appears to have not only fixed the steering malady, but also the steering feels a bit lighter and the suspension appears more supple.

The cold weather makes the clamp force lower on the pipe, combined with the oil being more viscous, means drawing air is more likely at this time of year, so is a good time to check. Having to tighten the clamp a little every 24 years isn't really that much of a chore...

Sunroof rattle...
this has turned out to be the foam cushions under the wind deflector allowing the deflector to contact the metal cable guide. I've glued a bit of rubber under the delector as a cushion.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
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90 2.1SD M.RP 5049 EJV Mandarin
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Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Wed Mar 16, 2016 8:08 pm

It was time to tackle the oil drips on the Cobalt car.
I had noticed a problem with the sump plug dripping previously due to the sump taking a bash prior to my tenure, so replaced with a new plug and copper washer which meant it was nearly perfect, just a bit wet, however I had noticed spots of oil on the drive, especially if the car was left running while parked.
A look underneath suggested the sump gasket was leaking, which is a lot better than the crankshaft seal behind the flywheel. The rear of the flywheel is dry so I think the crank seal is ok.

This is a simple job, raise the car, remove the flywheel guard, drain the oil then unbolt the sump.

The offending split.

Image

A quick wipe around revealed no sludge and the witness mark from the sump being bashed into the fixed baffle.

Image

Note the design of the sump plug captive nut, to ensure a complete drain. It has dished underside to create arches which act as a channel.

Image

Reform the bottom of the sump, dress the fitting flange where the bolts had distorted it slightly, smear both mating surfaces with none setting gasket sealant, smear the sump plug washer both sides and re-assemble.
When refitting the sump be aware there are three shorter bolts, which go into the No1 main bearing cap and the crank case where the oil breather pipe fits.

I also noticed oil high up on the front of the engine and injector pipes. After cleaning it off twice I realised it was coming out of the boosted air intake pipe only when under full boost. A check revealed the flexible coupling had split on the underside and was opening up under pressure.
I was going out so did a quick fix with PVC tape, reinforced with material tape.
Next moring I found the repair had held but oil had been forced through the tape.

Image

I had a coupling, so cleaned it up and fitted that, another clean down then as the front of the sump and the underside of the subframe were rusty got the wire wheel out, then slapped on some paint.

Top of the engine.

Image

Underside.

Image

Having checked, it appears the sump is now dry, but I will keep checking and in addition the boost pressure is at proper pressure, so there is less smoke and more torque can be felt.

I did this on saturday and Sunday and am still in agony now, so hopefully it's been worth it.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
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90 2.1SD M.RP 5049 EJV Mandarin
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Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Tue May 17, 2016 2:03 pm

Latest news.

The Cobalt car now sports an undertray again and gained another MOT test pass yesterday. Two advisories; two tyres with sidewall cracking and a track rod end boot coming slightly adrift from the locking wire.
I've had trouble with the boot previously and decided to properly investigate why. There was no groove in the ball joint for the boot to locate into, which was soon sorted with a bout of Mr Angry Grinder. It won't come loose now and additionallly the ball joint got a daub of fresh grease.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
Prev
90 2.1SD M.RP 5049 EJV Mandarin
92 2.1SD A.RP 5698 EJV Mandarin
94 2.1SD A.RP 6218 ERT Triton Green
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raynoon
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by raynoon » Tue May 17, 2016 7:20 pm

Congrats! Always a good feeling when your car gets its MOT
1993 Citroen XM 2.1 turboSD auto
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Dean
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dean » Tue May 17, 2016 9:27 pm

I do love a visit from Mr Angry Grinder :D

Nice to see another pass Will, forgone conclusion really.

Did that one originally have an undergraduate, was it taken off for the sump work ora new addition?

D
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Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Wed May 18, 2016 2:06 pm

It originally had an undertray which was taken off early on for the engine work. Most of the fixings were u/s, so it never went back on. Now the subframe is de-rusted and painted, it can live again giving the cooling and aerodynamic benefit it was designed for.

The Mandarin car will be getting the same treatment.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
Prev
90 2.1SD M.RP 5049 EJV Mandarin
92 2.1SD A.RP 5698 EJV Mandarin
94 2.1SD A.RP 6218 ERT Triton Green
91 2.0SI M.RP 5187 EWT White

Dieselman
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by Dieselman » Thu Jun 16, 2016 7:16 pm

Two more jobs done today.

Yesterday I noticed the engine took a while to start and once started from cold had a slight misfire for a few seconds. I tested it again today and again found it took more turning than normal before it fired. I suspected a glowplug fault so checked the relay output, then power to the plugs, then removed the intake manifold and disconnected the glowplug feed rail and checked the current to each plug in turn.
I was surprised whan all the plugs appeared to have an initial current draw of 20A reducing to 10A over the course of 20 seconds, or so.
I decided the fault must be the fuel side, so pressed the primer to check for pressure in the fuel feed pipe.

There saw no resistance to the primer being pressed and after a few pumps I saw...

Image

Obviously the diaphragm was leaking. I should have checked that first.

How to fit a new diaphragm.

Unbolt the filter unit and drain it. On the bench, prise the locking tabs for the primer ring back.

Image

You cant get the rear one, but it's best to leave the ring attached at the rear anyway, so just lift the ring clear from the front.

Image

Slide out the diaphragm and inspect. This one was just splitting in one area.

Image

Image.


Slide in new diaphragm, press the clamp ring down hard while bending over the locking tabs with some water pump pliers. Refit, prime, then start the engine.


Another job was to have a quick look at the hydraulic pump belt as on a few occasions I have noticed there be no power steering assistance when the engine is idling. The belt appeared to have a section where it was worn, thus able to slip when that area was on the crank pulley.
I had a belt, so stuck that on and the steering seems to be fixed.
92 2.1SED M.RP5740 ECZ Sable Phenicien
92 3.0 V6-24.Rp 5713 EXY Black
92 2.1SD M.RP 5685 ENT Blue Sideral
Prev
90 2.1SD M.RP 5049 EJV Mandarin
92 2.1SD A.RP 5698 EJV Mandarin
94 2.1SD A.RP 6218 ERT Triton Green
91 2.0SI M.RP 5187 EWT White

sdelasal
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Re: 2 * 2.1 SD

Post by sdelasal » Sat Jun 18, 2016 12:50 pm

That's useful to know, thanks. Is it fairly easy to source a new diaphragm then>? I assumed not available!

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