Slight panic...I see steam!

[russ92xmsed]

Nearly had heart failure today sitting at a set of Traffic lights, en route to the Post office. Just happened to look at the bonnet shutline, about where the expansion tank is and noticed steam coming from it. (There was no car in front of me.)
The temp gauge was half way up the gauge, so it wasn't over heating...from the gauge reading anyway, it was just warming up in fact. I haven't used the car since last week.
So I pulled over only a minute later as I reached the PO. Popped the bonnet, nothing. No hissing, no steam, no water leaks. Fine.

Anyway one long wait in the PO queue later, I took the coolant cap off and the coolant level was bang on. So must have been water evaporating off the bonnet or something....I hope it was that anyway, as the head gasket has been done only 6 months ago I hate it when something like that happens. I assume it was this as I drove home and the bonnet was dry and no steam to be seen.

One down side to owning an older car...I don't trust it!

[davetherave]

That's the problem the more you know and do to the cars the more paranoid you get....

Sometimes I envy those who expect their cares to always work and are surprised when something goes wrong!
I can scarcely remember that surprised feeling.
These days its more "oh what now!"

[captainhaddock]

Have faith! I am taking an old XM half way around Europe next weeks. Don't expect trouble. Should have done it in the 'toyota' quality Xantia, which has terminally died this week.

I do have faith in this XM. It will bring me home tonight sure.

It helps, to put that mantra in your head!

[citroenxm]

That's the problem the more you know and do to the cars the more paranoid you get....

Sometimes I envy those who expect their cares to always work and are surprised when something goes wrong!
I can scarcely remember that surprised feeling.
These days its more "oh what now!"

Hmmm, I expect this Xantia HDi of mine to go wrong anyday, but she DOESN'T... just keeps going and going! I just do oil changes, and thats it.... oh, tyres as and when... but thats it...

[russ92xmsed]

When ever I get in mine, I always ask under my breath, so whats gone wrong now....
I agree with you Dave on that one.

Still after some more checks, it seems to be okay. So I can relax a tiny bit. Still don't trust it.

Oh no Jaap, is the Xantia a write off or no time and part to fully investigate the problem. Electrics.... Never a French forte!
Mind you, you'll be able to travel in full comfort now.

Paul, have you fixed your Xantia then? What was it?

[citroenxm]

Yes Russ... Keep her under 3k, and NO MORE then half throttle and shes is Perfectly fine, with no issues...

However, 3k plus, and full throttle, and issues remain..

[russ92xmsed]

Oh no! Well at least you have a sort of fix. Wonder what is causing it.

[citroenxm]

Just a knackered Pump Russ, its likelt the combination of a faulty pump fuel pressure regualtor, plus on the tip of the rugualtor a tired seal and spacer..

Basically, the pump cannot regulate high pressures at higher speeds.. So as the injectors use the fuel in the rail at hard accelleration - shown at 20mpg on the trip computer, the pump cannot supply enough fuel to keep the rail pressure up... so she simply "STOPS" dead...

Untill I can afford a replacment pump, it will have to wait, but yes, I can control it, and know how to NOT let her cut out..

Suit an old fart who pussy foots about perfectly...

[russ92xmsed]

How I drive most of the time! ...not much choice with an auto.

At least you now know the problem. Worse if it was a complete mystery. Best of luck with the eventual fix.

[CitroJim]

Hey Russ, not as bad as an XM owner I know who has a cloud of smoke rise from under the bonnet every time the brakes are used in any sort of anger

We know the problem. It's an ES9 V6 with a small cambox oil leak. Collected oil ends up on the exhaust manifold under heavy braking!

I've seen the same steam on a Xantia a few times now. Just collected moisture boiling off..

I give all my cars a good, fastidious check-over every week whether they've been used or not. That normally shows up small problems that need an eye kept on. That's held me in very good stead for a good few years now and touch-wood...

The only Citroen breakdown I've had was on the V6 when the ignition coil packed in. No way you can predict that or guard against it. Could have happened on a very young car.

Jaap, what's up with the Xantia? Have I missed something in my absence and is there anything I can help with?