XM HEADER TANK -- LEAKING

[Andrew Morgan]

I am new to the forum, so here goes.

My car is a 2.5 TD 1994, which I have owned since 1995. Car has done A1 service, with approx 240,000 on the clock -- but with 95% of that long distance motorway, so no major issues.

Apart from electrics, car has done good service, but I have had problems with a leaking header tank now for over 2 years. The leak started after an MOT -- perhaps it was given too hard a time. Whatever, its been once for repair to a rad specialist work-shop (their words not mine) but the repair didn't last long. It's more an inconvenience than anything, with a need to top up all the time.

Despite having the XM manual, I rate my skills on tackling any job on the XM as 2 to 3 out of 10 -- so am reluctant to tackle the repair myself if it means removing the tank, draining the system -- refill -- etc.

So a few questions :-

1) Can a repair be attempted with the tank in situ -- ie., remove the top half -- clean all surfaces, -- seal and replace

2) If it can -- what's the best sealant -- or is there an agent that will bond both surfaces ???

3) I notice that there are metal clips holding both halves together -- can these be obtained from a Citroen dealer

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Andrew Morgan
Swansea

[robert_e_smart]

Welcome Andrew,

New expansion bottles can be bought from Citroen for £50 for the 2.5 TD. I would go for a new one rather than trying to repair a leaking one. Cooling is a weakness on 2.5s, so better to avoid any weaknesses.