Hello again

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Groovemerchant
XM newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:24 am

Hello again

Post by Groovemerchant » Tue Dec 04, 2018 2:14 pm

Hi,
So I've not been on here in some time and had to set up a new account as I couldn't gain access to the previous for some reason.
I'm still the proud owner of a Sable XM K13 DWB.
When I bought the car, I had to replace the bosch pump and had the brake doseur had seized. As a matter of course took a trip to Pleides and replaced all spheres and fluid.
Despite a few niggles past 12 months have been relatively problem free. Does have a tendency to loose some LHM over time, but I just keep topping it up every few months as I can't locate the source of the leak.
I also attempted to cure the problem of white smoke on a cold start by replacing the glow plugs, but that doesn't seem to have made that much difference. Still a bit smokey on starting and under acceleration she throws a bit of black out of the back.. possibly the turbo I wonder?
Oil and coolant changed recently and she's still going with 70,000 on the clock.
I've noticed some bubbles in the coolant and wondered whether this is a head gasket red flag?
At 70,000 is this common? Wondered whether anyone could advise on head gasket repair or offer some suggestions. Spoke to a local citroen specialist and they're not interested in doing a repair.

Cheers
Andy

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MTXM
Citroen God!
Posts: 4895
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:45 pm
Location: Aylsham Norfolk

Re: Hello again

Post by MTXM » Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:20 pm

It is great to hear from you again Andy and I hope that all is well and keeping busy! In relation to the coolant bubbles I would be surprised if the head gasket failed at 70K despite the age of the car. I wonder if you are loosing much coolant and there is always KSeal! With best regards, Matthew T.
1989 V6 Exclusive (Poland car) - Now living in a local Motor Museum!
1990 V6sei auto (grey auto)
1990 V6sei manual (gold car)
1990 V6.24 Pallas (Germany car)
1990 V6.24v (Scotland car)
Other previous XM sold and broken too many to mention!

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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: Hello again

Post by White Exec » Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:46 pm

Does the coolant smell of exhaust at all (which would indicate HG)?
If no smell of exhaust, could be that sustem is not thoroughly bled of air, and there is some hidden localised boiling in head/block. Any coolant loss? Is system staying properly pressurised when engine is hot?
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

Groovemerchant
XM newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:24 am

Re: Hello again

Post by Groovemerchant » Wed Dec 05, 2018 9:51 pm

Hi Matthew and Chris.
Good to hear from you Matthew, hope you are keeping well! Many thanks for the response.
I took the car to a local garage today and they seem to think it's just air in the system. No sign of exhaust smell nor it the it loosing coolant. It holds pressure and there's no trace of coolant in the oil thankfully. It just looks a bit foamy.
My previous XM with many more miles on the clock used to bubble under revs and it turned out there was a hairline crack in the engine block. Think I was just concerned this might be going the same way.
I've decided to to an oil/filter and coolant change and check again in a couple of weeks.
I've re-homed the blue '77 CX in a garage around the corner from where I live. It's had a new set of tyres and is now both TAX and MOT exempt! I was quite surprised to learn that cars of this age no longer require an MOT certificate.
It's had very little use the last 2 years, so I'm looking forward to using it in the spring.
Hopefully I will get chance to pop along to one of the rallies in the new year!
All the best
Andy

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

Re: Hello again

Post by citroenxm » Fri Dec 07, 2018 8:17 am

Average life of an original psa hrasgasket can be 70 to 100k.. This has been the same with the Bx xud and Xantia Xud. If it needs dooing go proper and get multi steel layered gasket.

They are a very fiddly job to do in situ but it can be done. I've done early non egr heads and late ones with egr in situ.

Black smoke on hard acceleration I'd say was normal.. Hut as long as its not to the point the car behind disappears. Most turbo d cars give some black smoke on accelerating.
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

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