Citroen XM Forum

I have removed a couple of V6 sump plates Russ but they were steel and I am guessing that you will have alloy? The seal is likely to be liquid gasket and it should be possible to gently prise apart with a sharp blade as you suggest. With regards, Matthew T.

don't pry it on the gasket face, that's never a great idea, strike the sump with a rubber mallet hard at a 45 degree downwards angle and it will pop off. Make sure you have all the bolts undone at the flywheel end.

D

Yep. All bolts undone and accounted for. I have tried the rubber mallet but maybe I'm not being brave enough.
You can't get anything in between the mating surfaces. As you say Dean I really don't want to damage the surfaces.

I will give it another go with your suggested method Dean. I'm very aware it's aluminium so I don't want to crack or damage it.

It's stuck like a limpet...blimmin thing!

The alloy ones are cast, heavily ribbed and very strong, the mating surface is machined nicely unlike the pressed steel ones so if the gasket has been removed and replaced with gasket seal they have plenty of surface area to grab over.
If it gets desperate you can hit it with a lump hammer via a wooden drift but there is no damage you can do to it with a rubber mallet so smack it one, i understand access may be poor though.

Good Luck!!

D

Thanks Dean. I shall go a hit the living you know what out if it!

Does the alloy sump have mounting points for an A/C compressor? If so, you may be able to put a bolt in and use it as a point for applying leverage (but don't hit it).

It does. Funnily enough I did think of that too. Will try it. Also wondered if a car jack between the subframe and sump might put some pressure on it.

After much careful thwacking, it still remains firmly stuck. Although it's starting to loose its grip on the gearbox end. You can see oil starting to appear. Yes the oil is drained!

Keep working on the end that's started to open up - that's its weakest point.
If the gap opens up by a few mm, then a wooden wedge won't damage the surfaces.

Done. I'm broken! That was horrid...Simple enough job, just fiddly. Not helped with someone putting a subframe in the way.

On to the rest of the reassembly now.

Well done Russ that is good news and mine was rather easier being steel and the engine was also out!! Regards, Matthew T.