Hi there!

New to the forum? Feel free to introduce yourself / your cars. Also have a look for any frequently asked questions and information.
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White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: Hi there!

Post by White Exec » Tue Apr 14, 2015 8:38 pm

The (French) dot matrix repair item above is good, and comes with printed instructions and photos. I can post a translation of this, if you need it.
There are posts her about doing the job, and several more on the web.
An straightforward job if you use the conductive rubber strip in this kit, which means you don't have to worry about lining up circuit tracks, nor additional packing.
Pulling the dash out isn't as bad as it looks, and certainly easier on a subsequent occasion - everything comes with practice!
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

User avatar
White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: Hi there!

Post by White Exec » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:02 pm

Don't get daunted by the apparent complexity of the 2.5. It's an extraordinarily reliable lump, with a silky engine, a delightful clutch, and a tough manual box.

DO, however, look after the cooling system.
- If you don't know the history of the coolant, drain and replace it. Avoid long-life OAT types.
- If you aren't sure the exact make and type of coolant mix in there now, drain it, and refill ONLY with ONE BRAND AND LABEL of coolant, and keep some spare. Do not mix brands, types, even if the same colour, or nasty interactions can happen.
- Bleed the system according to the book (temp header bottle, four bleed points).

Be aware that the oil-water heat exchanger, which sits under the oil filter and is plumbed into the cooling system, is the known delicate item in the system. It is made of aluminium, and is prone to internal corrosion, especially if the coolant quality is not maintained. When it goes leaky inside, engine oil is injected under pressure into the coolant circuit, showing up as black engine oil appearing in the coolant header tank. This can happen slowly or dramatically; the latter can show up as a sudden Low Water Level + Stop warning on the dash. (The oil in the header tank makes the water level probes non-conductive.)

This fault is easily diagnosed, and remedies include replacing the unit (expensive, or using the smaller unit from a 2.1), jumping it out of circuit (many owners have done this), or replacing it with a conventional nose-cone mounted oil radiator/cooler. Posts here about all of these options.

PS As you now know, always jack up under subframes or chassis members, never under the sills or sill so-called jacking points, even with rubber jacking blocks. Make sure anyone who works on the car knows this.
Last edited by White Exec on Thu Apr 16, 2015 6:54 am, edited 4 times in total.
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

citroenxm
Global Moderator
Posts: 9981
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:11 am
Location: North Wales - FAR far far away!!! :-p

Re: Hi there!

Post by citroenxm » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:05 pm

.... the second much smaller cooling rad infront of the larger cooling rad prone to rotting.. virtually impossible to find and is more expensive then the larger one.. look after front subframes they can rust and are unique to the 2.5 engines too..
Projects:(eventually if theres any bodywork left)
93 L Xm 2.1t D auto project
93 L xm V6 12v Sei Manual

Others
In use.. 1995 M reg S2 2.1td auto exclusive

User avatar
White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: Hi there!

Post by White Exec » Tue Apr 14, 2015 9:23 pm

Both rads listed as available new from Behr-Hella.
IIRC, Valeo listing them too, last time I looked.
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

Sesquialtera
XM newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2015 8:47 pm
Orga / RP numbers: XM 2.5td Exclusive, RP 7246

Re: Hi there!

Post by Sesquialtera » Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:03 pm

Thanks again for all the useful info. Certainly noted re the cooling system! Looking at the service history, it seems a little while since anyone who might be called a specialist had a proper look at it so perhaps it would be good for peace of mind to get it looked over, even though it has just passed its MOT? Living in Leeds, the most obvious place seems to be Savoy Garage in Burnley but that's not exactly local - does anyone know of anywhere nearer that I might have missed? I know one often has to travel a long way for specialist attention!

Would have loved to have been at the X Rally but sadly will be on holiday! The next event I'm likely to make is the Northern Rally at Newby Hall on the last weekend of May. I'm a CCC member but as I'm also a church organist I don't tend to make it to events as they're usually on Sundays! I'm looking forward to introducing myself and the car soon. In the meantime I will set up a thread on the 'Members' Cars' section!
Matthew

1998 XM 2.5td Exclusive
2008 C2 1.1 SX

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