Geoff Lebowski

[Geoff Lebowski]

Hi everyone,

I know Paul aka Citroen XM from the FCF site where sadly my main input has been providing spares from my 2.1 TD Xantia. Don't get me wrong, I'm not into scrapping cars at all, but being honest, I never really bonded with the Xantia. I found it a Euro Box, all be it a very competent and comfortable one. It had a leaking rear hydropneumatic valve, needed a new clutch, had an oil leak from the gearbox, had the Lucas Epic (which I loved, but thought it would go pop at any moment!) and finally, the harmonic balancer fell apart and the rubber part met with timing belt and was the straw that broke the camels back.

I will shortly however, be taking ownership of a rather tired and neglected 1996 Mk 2 XM Exclusive 2.1TD Auto in Silver. I've driven it once and also driven my fathers 1995 XM Exclusive 2.0 ltr Turbo Auto (not far off 200K!) and found them to me like nothing else, even far away enough from the Xantia to make them feel like two completely different makes of car. Hopefully, I can look to get the XM on the road towards the end of this month (he says hopefully!)

I shall in due course detail what little history I know of my 'soon-to-be' XM and hopefully you can guide me through sorting some of it's current issues, with a view to a long and reliable ownership.

I have owned Citroens since 1997. My very reliable and workhorse BX TGD Turbo died of rust in the end. Or rather, it died of lack of effort by me to weld it up. Instead, I bought a BX 16v to keep me going, which has proved such a lovely car that it really is a keeper but needs to come off the road for some TLC, a much needed clutch, a gearbox refurb and a spot of welding.

I also have a TZD Turbo with air con. Looks tatty but has been welded up and is a keeper (hopefully).

Cheers

[xmexclusive]

Hi Geoff

Welcome to XM ownership and also to joining us.
You will find a wide range of views here.
Everything from you having picked the best possible XM right through to it being the worst of the bunch.
The one thing we do seem to do well is provide help and information for all XM queries.

John

[colinxm]

High Geoff, welcome to the forum. Great cars the 2.1td's

Colin.P

[Peter.N.]

Hi Geoff

Welcome to the club. As John says, you will find a variety of views, mine is : right engine, wrong gearbox Enjoy your XM

Peter

[robert_e_smart]

Welcome Geoff,

Hopefully your XM experiece is better than your Xantia one.

2.1 TD auto. Good choice!

Robert

[jonathan_dyane]

Nice to see you here Geoff

[Geoff Lebowski]

Mr Dyane, good day Sir!

I know the name Robert Smart from ebay, I've bought something from you before now (I think) certainly made XM related enquiries! I shall be replacing the harmonic balancer on the XM forthwith!

Thanks for the warm welcome. I must admit I'm very keen to get behind the wheel and the 2.1 was faultless in the Xantia over the 9 years or so it was with us.

[citroenxm]

Hi Geoff!!

WELCOME at last

We shall keep you all informed and help when ever we can!

Paul

[normantilbury]

Welcome Geoff to the forum, Tell me what and where is a harmonic balancer?

Regards,
Norman

[Dieselman]

Welcome Geoff to the forum, Tell me what and where is a harmonic balancer?

Regards,
Norman

The rubberised crank pulley. The crank vibrations are damped by the rubber ring so no harmonics build up in the crank. If the rubber ring gives up either the outer ring shears off or the rubber flails around, so check them at every opportunity.