1989 XM V6 - New Member

[french3]

Hello from New Zealand, a recent purchase has been this 89 XM V6 Manual, RP4722. Looking to undertake some minor renovation and get it back on the road soon.

[Dieselman]

Welcome...that looks lovely.

I would normally say check thoroughly for rust, but the front jacking points are in good condition, so don't think that's necessary.

As a newcomer to Xm, definitely check the front suspension strut tops for metal, or rubber deterioration. have the front wheels hanging and check the underside for torn/delaminated rubber and check the top side for apparent movement and rusty steel.

An Xm 3.0 manual is a pretty quick car. 0-60mph, 7.8s, runs out of puff at 138mph.

With a production date of October 13, 1989, that must be one of the first Rhd Xm ever made. Do you know where it was first sold, can't be a Uk car as it has no sunroof...no we're not jealous...not at all...MUCH.

[DownUnderXM]

Wow! Looks to have been incredibly well looked after. I have just picked up a 1998 V6, which looks terrible by comparison!

[french3]

Thanks, yes a reasonably tidy car, rust free with just some paintwork and a few bits of trim replaced to get it looking great. I'll check those suspension parts, thanks for the suggestion. Although it's not currently starting, just the dash lights dim when turning the key and not even a click from the starter, so will be looking at that next.

I was surprised how early the RP number was when I checked, as it was only registered here new in NZ on 13th September 1990 (with 28kms on it). This was the month the XM was launched here, but there is one the same colour pictured in a magazine article showing an XM on display at the Auckland Motor Show in July 1990, I'm hoping it may be the same car.

[Dieselman]

I would make contact with your local Citroen importer to find the details of the cars history. It wouldn't surprise me if it is indeed the same car when one considers shipping times and the later release date.
With 28km it can't be an import.

There is no starter relay for a manual gearbox Xm, the feed is straight from the Ign switch to the starter solenoid.
The usual culprits for a click, but no starter are: the negative battery terminal is loose, the Gnd on the gearbox is corroded, the starter solenoid is jammed, the starter has corrosion causing lack of internal Gnd contact. You will be amazed how a strip clean and grease of the starter can transform one from hardly/not functioning, to perfect.
It could be the starter, or the connector under the Lhm reservoir, but I would check all the other steps first. Xm electrical systems are actually pretty robust. The myths about poor electrical reliability are just that, myths and lies.

I take it this car has a keypad immobiliser. Do you have the code and does it go green? This doesn't influence the starter motor, it interfaces with the Ecu to stop Ign and Efi.

Series 1 electrical wiring diagrams.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10268

Blink Code reader for diagnostics.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7368

[DownUnderXM]

Another issue that can happen to the starter (happened to my 1995 Pug 605 - PRV engine), is the magnets coming unglued from the inside of the starter housing and jamming the stator. First symptom was starter slow to turn - like a weak battery - but pretty soon graduated to just a click from the solenoid (yes I know yours doesn't click).

Definitely would be checking all those connectors and earth points mentioned by Dieselman...

[Seravian]

Please check the fuel lines as well as the hydraulic hoses in the engine compartment, especially those near the engine. The V6 PRVs XMs such as this one are known to catch fire if one of these starts leaking. A pretty ignored hose is the hydraulic hose from the pump to the LHM reservoir; this one is positioned above the exhaust; if it leaks, LHM falls on the hot exhaust line...and the XM will burn quickly.

[Dieselman]

Without doubt they are good checks to perform, but do you have an example of a V6 Xm setting fire due to fuel, or hydraulic hose failure, I've never heard of one doing it.
The hydraulic hose is a suction hose, so if it splits the oil will either be consumed by the pump if downstream of a split, or return to the reservoir if upstream.
I have heard rumours exactly as you say, in the early 1990's, but never an actual example. First time was from a Volvo salesman trying to sell my bosses a couple of Volvo 960's, knowing they had tried V6 Xm.

There were fires with early 2.0i due to Bosch supplying plastic pulsation dampers instead of metal ones, which then split and leaked petrol onto the spark plugs. All cars were reworked by 1990.

In my experience the Hutchinson brand hoses fitted to Xm are extremely good quality and rarely fail.

[Flegmaatikko]

From my own experience those fuel lines are not that bad, but from a few examples I've seen the fuel lines in the V6 engine bays are always in worse condition than in other engine bays, I guess it's because of the heat. Mine occasionally leaked from the fuel rail under the engine cover.

I have also heard of a few close calls and here is a picture of a not so lucky 24v Series 1.
http://www.sitruunapatonki.fi/forum/dow ... &mode=view

[Dieselman]

Was that image a V6?

I don't know if the original hoses are Ethanol compatible, so they might be degrading as a result of petrol now containing Ethanol.