Am I mad?

[Citroenesque]

I am yet see my new XM in the flesh, but I am planning to take it from Essex to Castelnaudary, SE of Toulouse in June. A round trip of 1,525 miles or so (not to mention the excursions to the Med and the Pyrenees when we're there) in nine days.

I'll be getting the cam belt done when I get it. It has a full and comprehensive history and a lot has been done, tyres, brakes, clutch, spheres etc. and I believe it to be coming from an honest and conscientious owner who although hasn't had it that long (ownership cut short due to issues not directly connected with the car), is knowledgeable and helpful. I have faith that it will be a 'good 'un'. But inevitably there will be issues, I will have to wait and see.

BUT, what things in particular would be good to consider in advance of a French excursion? I have already made a mental note to carry some spare fuel line ( http://www.club-xm.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1134 )!

I am a seasoned BXer who already carries around a pretty good 'emergency pack', but any advice would be gratefully received.

[robert_e_smart]

I can't think of a better Idea Phil!

Take your usual BX box of tricks, and you should be ok. Xms are prone to the same sort of age related problems as the BX I suppose.

[Dean]

Hi Phil

I take it you will be doing the cambelt yourself, with the tensioner and water pump done too all should be well, make sure the coolant system is very clean, especialy the transmission cooler and that if it is indeed an auto that the D2 in it and its filter are nice and clean and you shouldnt have any problems at all, carrying a Bx specific box of emergency bits will be the best you can do, oh and most of all enjoy the ride

D

[Dean]

By the way the engine in your new toy is a slightly bored out and blown version of your BX gti's so there will be some familiarity there too.

D

[Peter.N.]

The only thing that I have ever had fail on a 2.1 engine is the crankshaft pully, so I think I would take one of those but not knowing what car you have I don't really know, fuel line is probably a good idea though.

Peter

[Citroenesque]

Thanks chaps. (I suspected the engine was in the same family as my 8v GTi - as was my 2.0 Fiat Ulysee's when I had it. These things get around lol).

I won't be doing the cam belt myself - I will be using a reliable local indy who knows his stuff. I asked him to do the tensioner... and I have asked that he check the waterpump too BUT on reflection I might have to see if there's a way I can afford him to do the lot. I don't feel ready to tackle the job myself. I am not experienced or knowledgeable enough. Yet. Unless there's someone local (Chelmsford Essex) who fancies helping! - I could always travel a bit too

[Dean]

Dont know why but you struck me as a die hard citroen diyer! The waterpump isnt that expensive (£30) but it depends on you budget and of course the other work you are having to pay for at the time too.plus the car you have just bought so i can understand its all adding up.

D

[Citroenesque]

Well, Dean, I don't think I've ever said I am, but I am flattered. I'm not really confident or experienced enough with the mechanical side of things, I know. But I'm learning. Necessity is the mother of invention!

You're right about the money too. I paid my max budget for the XM, so anything else is a squeeze. But there you go. Makes life a little more edgy.

BX's are my thing, but time recently has been the constraint. Plus, the (reasonably-priced and resourceful!) Dennis at Citroen Softride is better at dealing with suspension issues than I possibly ever could be and (touch wood) that's been the main thing I've had to worry about with my BXs. As for XM's I have no practical knowledge or experience, so would prefer to get urgent work done by a competent and not overly pricey specialist and Kerry - a Cambelt guru local to me - is doing it for me. I will, however try to be there when he does it. Look and learn!

[Ciaran]

1500 miles is nothing to a well maintained XM, it just eats distance and you don't even see it going.

As long as you do the belt etc and give it a good service and look over before you go, you should have nothing to worry about.

I did 1600 miles up, down, and around England and Scotland in my S1 over the space of a few days in August, then the same journey again in November in my S2, neither of them missed a beat, and they make 6, 7 hour drives feel like a trip to the local shops. I did Stranraer to Northhampton in one sitting and barely even noticed it. They really are built with that kind of driving in mind.

Ciarán

[minijet]

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Hi Phil,

the timing belt on the TCT isn't that difficult - I managed to do it . There's loads of info (with helpfull pics) on here about it.

Make sure you replace the pulley wheel/tensioner thingy - mine fell apart (ball bearings everywhere), but I was lucky, the belt cover held it in place so the belt didn't jump any teeth (very lucky). I don't think it had been changed when it had the last belt change.

I'd definately change the water pump and the other belts while they're all accessable. The water pump is a ten minute job while you're doing the timing belt.

One more thing, if you do get it done at a garage, make sure they put the belt covers back on - they're awkward to do and tend to get left off particularly the lower one - I recently discovered my 'well maintained' TCT SX is missing the lower cover, and an earlier car (can't remember if it was an XM or my old 2.0 Xantia) had no timing belt covers at all .

Good luck.

Paul

ps if that's a picture of you, you're a dead ringer for Monsieur Hulot

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