Citroen XM Forum

CJS wrote:On your DIY signature, I bought a house 20 years ago with a marble bathroom floor, then it cracked, then I realised the bathroom had been two rooms knocked into one and they should have done something with the joists. Started the job and the bathroom floor has not been complete since...because I have too many cars!

you got the V6 head gaskets done though right?

D

Hi Chris, I have a mandarin SED too, but k reg. Just out of interest, what's the RP number (number printed on the passenger door pillar) on the SED? Being G reg, another early car known to the club would be interesting, especially being a diesel, as the other early cars are V6 and 2.0 models.

"you got the V6 head gaskets done though right?"

That made me laugh. All new bolts, that's what took the time as they were unobtainable in the UK where after weeks of delay I got some but not all head bolts, exhaust studs, stem seals etc. Walked into my local Citroen dealer in Normandy, ordered the missing bits and they came the next day which was silly of me as the rebuild was done in Normandy anyway so I should have gone there first. And the French shake your hand every time you walk in. They think I am a nutcase with my XMs, but they are very helpful. Clearly a good head rebuild is more important than a bathroom floor. Both heads lightly skimmed (more of a clean) at Jenkins in Whitton, bloke in there had/has a Lotus Carlton, far more interesting than floors which we did not discuss. Never was sure that the slight water use was the heads, incredible job to do then find you might not have needed to.

SED is RP 4873, March 13th 1990 I have in my notes. As mentioned above 2011 I fitted new exhaust, repiped over the back axle, walked the MOT then at random water would drip at the back of the engine which I think was a pipe rather than head gasket. Going into 2012 my work (technical design of TV studios) went from recession rare to overload and the SED got parked. I think it could be brought back to life because there's 20 coats of Waxoyl underneath and every six months it starts no problem. I'll try starting it this weekend because it is daft just leaving it in one of my two parking spaces. The 2.5 has to have a council parking permit so the SED can sit on the drive!

Edited to add, just looking at your website Russ. Good stuff. I can change an XM 2.1 head gasket but can neither draw nor play a musical instrument, and am impressed by those that can.

Thanks very much. I admire anyone who can do a head gasket too.

Sounds like your SED is a good one. Must be one of the earliest diesel XMs about now.

Dean wrote:

CJS wrote:On your DIY signature, I bought a house 20 years ago with a marble bathroom floor, then it cracked, then I realised the bathroom had been two rooms knocked into one and they should have done something with the joists. Started the job and the bathroom floor has not been complete since...because I have too many cars!

you got the V6 head gaskets done though right?

D

Life's all about priorities.