Welsh Xm 2.5 TD VSX Estate 1996 Owner (Red)

[nightorb]

Hi guys sorry for not introducing myself earlier, i have already posted a couple pf problems and got great replies (thanks John). I bought this car from a friend £250.00.
You all most probably thinking same thing i was when i heard about it however, after full RAC inspection the mechanic stated he had not seen many in as good a condition underneath, there are a few scuffs and the like on the bodywork but nothing a good couple weeks in summer wont fix. There is so much room in the car (being an estate), i have no problems with my two girls and one boy and all their gear for weekend trips away, and at only 85000 miles on the clock plenty more in her i should imagine. Lastly if anyone has any tips etc on servicing and what parts i should stockpile i would be greatful.

Cheers,

Marcus

[xmexclusive]

Hi Marcus

Glad you have found a good 2.5 estate at the right price.
As far as stockpiling spares is concerned there are a few things XM worth buying if available cheaply.
The 2.5 engine and ancilliarys is another story I am afraid.
Only used also in some Pug 605's and I have never seen or heard of a 2.5 one of those in the UK.
Check that the normal running temperature of your car is 90.
Keep a good eye on the coolant level and condition. Know how to top up and bleed. Not quite as simple as it looks.
Coolant problems have been known to write off the engine.
Make sure you use the correct large oil filter (Halfords offer the wrong small one standard in most other XM's.
Radiators are unique, expensive and there are two of them. 2.5's have a reputation for eating them.
Clear out the collected leaves and muck at least yearly.
Engine oil cooler is another unique item with a failure history.
Front suspension strut heads are another non standard item.
Buying another scrap 2.5 XM to pillage for spares is an option for those with storage space and a tolerant SWMBO.
One thing to consider is that current weigh in scrap valve of an XM is around £200.
So you payed little over scrap price for yours.
Number of XM's is now dropping fast so this next year may be the time to buy.
I doubt any XM other than another 2.5 will provide you with worthwhile spares.
Body and trim bits should be sourceable as individual items from scrap cars.
Switches, window winders sidelights and wing mirrors would head my list.

Enjoy your XM.

John

[messerschmitt owner]

is the 2.5 engine used in the Xm, the same as that used in the Talbot Express and Citroen C25?

Can't believe they would have made more than one 2.5 at the same time.

[Dieselman]

is the 2.5 engine used in the Xm, the same as that used in the Talbot Express and Citroen C25?

Yes it is..it's a Vaaan engine.

[nightorb]

Cheers john,

Good comprehensive list i need to pay heed to. I may have another donor vehicle just waiting for the nod from a friend but we will see what happens. Searching the scrappies as we speak to find cheap useable spares too. Ill keep an eye on all points mentioned and yep engine runs bang on 90, no oil in water and vice versa. Does anyone have the coolant bleed proceedure i could do with giving this car a service just to be sure everythings ok. Gonna flush the cooling system too give it all a good clean out. Is there any proceedure for cleaning diesel injectors etc or should i leave alone ?

Thanks
Marcus

[Dean]

John will know but im sure they are not the same engine, different heads and im sure the car version has a different block with ballancing shafts so i dont think there is much hope there.

Like i say John will know

D

[xmexclusive]

Dieselman not ever used in a van as far as I know.
The 2.5 XM engine was launched as the new engine with the Mk2 face lift of the XM's mid 1994.
It is designed to be as smooth as the XM V6. It fully met that expectation.
The engine achieves this using two cam belt driven balance shafts.
Drivers side engine mount is a single central air cooled rubber bush.
The exhaust starts with a large braided section to prevent vibration transfer.
Engine designation is DK5.
Nearest van engine is the DJ5 used in Relays etc.
Some of my engine spares came from a local garage about 4 years ago.
The engine in their low mileage relay van blew up.
They bought in a 2.5 estate to scrap for the engine.
Car cost them £500 but the bit that really upset them was the time wasted in finding out by trial that the engine did not fit.
Then they stripped the two engines to make the original good.
That did not work either as the bits they needed were not interchangable.
As well as the trim bits I went for I got a skimmed and tested head plus a look through the heap of footmarked engine bits.

John

[xmexclusive]

Hi Marcus

For bleeding the coolant you need to provide at least 200mm of coolant surcharge above the top of the header tank.
This is because there are sections of the pipework that can become air locked when refilling.
Cylinder head valve seats are one key area.
Just fill and go can write the head off by cracking the valve seats.
On non aircon 2.5's bleed, bring up to 90 then rev with the surcharge still present until the rad cooling fans have cut in 3 times.

John

[Dieselman]

Dieselman not ever used in a van as far as I know.
The 2.5 XM engine was launched as the new engine with the Mk2 face lift of the XM's mid 1994.
It is designed to be as smooth as the XM V6. It fully met that expectation.
The engine achieves this using two cam belt driven balance shafts.
Drivers side engine mount is a single central air cooled rubber bush.
The exhaust starts with a large braided section to prevent vibration transfer.
Engine designation is DK5.
Nearest van engine is the DJ5 used in Relays etc.
Some of my engine spares came from a local garage about 4 years ago.
The engine in their low mileage relay van blew up.
They bought in a 2.5 estate to scrap for the engine.
Car cost them £500 but the bit that really upset them was the time wasted in finding out by trial that the engine did not fit.
Then they stripped the two engines to make the original good.
That did not work either as the bits they needed were not interchangable.
As well as the trim bits I went for I got a skimmed and tested head plus a look through the heap of footmarked engine bits.

John

Interesting. I thought it was the van engine with added lanchester shafts.

[messerschmitt owner]

ah, yes, the van engine is the CX 2.5!