Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[Dieselman]

Anyway, drained it fine. But not much came out. We did loose quite a bit with doing the o rings, but I was slightly perplexed as it should be near enough 10 litres in there somewhere. No more would come out.

Did you undo the block drain?

Ahhhhhhhhh. No I didn't cos the HBOL didn't mention it at all. Where is that then Will? ...apart from being on the block!

The block drain is on the rear of the block in the open space to the n/s of the turbo.

[russ92xmsed]

Ahhhh, cheers Will. That's were it is. I shall seek it out.

[White Exec]

".....open space....."
You don't know how jealous I am of this.

[Dieselman]

It was a relative description.

[White Exec]

Thank goodness for that! Was just wondering whether it had a part number...but I think it went NFP on all the later models.
You know what they say, "Where there's a Will there's a relative..." Ouch!

[russ92xmsed]

I extracted the XM out of its hiding place today after finishing off the under sealing on the front subframe yesterday. 3or4 weeks its not been used for. I had a check underneath and there is an oil leak, but i think it might be the sump gasket... not totally sure.
The alarm is reset and the remote central locking is not loosing its novelty!
I took it for a good spin to blow out the cobwebs this afternoon and see if my odd coolant change would cause any overheating. It didn't of course and it seems fine. Nice to have it back and it rides so much smoother than the C5 at the mo.

The flipping hydro belt still squeals like billy-oh. I have tightened the hydro belt up so many times and even replaced it, but until it warms up, its noisy. A visit to the car doctors might be on the cards.

Just hope the alarm doesn't do what alarms do and wake everyone up at 4 in the morning!

[Vince]

Hi Russ,

Apparently the sump gaskets dont go that much on the 2.1's as i too thought mine had gone looking like it was leaking oil from it. It was diagnosed as more likely to be a leaking crank rear main oil seal which travels round the sump join and looks like a sump gasket issue. Described as not serious and to just change it if and when a clutch goes in. Either that or a leak further up around the turbo pipe / manifold area

[russ92xmsed]

Thanks Vince, to be honest I haven't investigated it further. I need to get it on the ramps and have a good look. It only looses a tiny amount of oil, and the dip stick level doesn't seem to change.
I think it might be coming from behind the engine as you say.


Whilst I am here, a little update. Well not much has happened really. Had some cold start issues rumbling on. Worst starting took three cranks on the glowplugs and it just about kicked into life. I have been running injector cleaner through it, changed the battery and cleaned up the contacts. Found a negative lead, a small aux one had nearly come loose. So stuffed that back in.
But recently it has been starting a little better. By accident I let the glow plugs go on heating a little longer after the light had gone out, whilst fighting with the seat belt, and it started first time. Anyway I will keep an eye on that mystery. Might change the glowplug relay and see if it changes things. Otherwise it's glow plugs possibly.

Hydro belt has a replacement. I broke my ratchet tightening the pump belt up a few weeks ago. So now have a breaker bar to do that job from now on! Got a new ratchet for Xmas too.
Also I now have a nice set of black carpet mats in it. Very posh! apart from that lot, nothing else has been going on.
Needs a good wash really.

[Vince]

Thanks Vince, to be honest I haven't investigated it further. I need to get it on the ramps and have a good look. It only looses a tiny amount of oil, and the dip stick level doesn't seem to change.
I think it might be coming from behind the engine as you say.


Whilst I am here, a little update. Well not much has happened really. Had some cold start issues rumbling on. Worst starting took three cranks on the glowplugs and it just about kicked into life. I have been running injector cleaner through it, changed the battery and cleaned up the contacts. Found a negative lead, a small aux one had nearly come loose. So stuffed that back in.
But recently it has been starting a little better. By accident I let the glow plugs go on heating a little longer after the light had gone out, whilst fighting with the seat belt, and it started first time. Anyway I will keep an eye on that mystery. Might change the glowplug relay and see if it changes things. Otherwise it's glow plugs possibly.

Hydro belt has a replacement. I broke my ratchet tightening the pump belt up a few weeks ago. So now have a breaker bar to do that job from now on! Got a new ratchet for Xmas too.
Also I now have a nice set of black carpet mats in it. Very posh! apart from that lot, nothing else has been going on.
Needs a good wash really.

Funny you should mention the starting issue Russ, mine is also now harder to start from cold than it used to be, but only when its very cold outside.

It was noticed that the diaphragm was broken on my fuel filter housing when the pump job was changed, The assembly was changed for a second hand one which wasnt split but i dont know what if any difference that would make? Nothing else glow plug wise has been touched, but it does take a couple of glow plug "sessions" to get it going with a light touch of the throttle.

I guess it must be considered that these are still old cars being started in recently very cold and damp weather...probably to be expected then perhaps?

[russ92xmsed]

Actually Vince, on my old XM when the pump had been done ( it was totally resealed with new seals and timed to perfection), It started perfectly and ran like a dream. It had power, was more efficient. Just wish I had that now... Although the mandarin one is running okay, it could do with slightly better starting. I am wondering if it could do with some adjustment on the pump.

Get there in the end.