Citroen XM Forum

I have just collected the engine back from my local garage complete with new headgaskets and cam chain guides fitted after some delay, partly due to sourcing the latter parts. The engine has had a thorough clean and I will now reassemble the inlet and exhaust manifolds etc. and other ancillaries. It appears that the engine came out in the nick of time because, apart from the disintegrating chain guides, the steel water pipes in the 'v' were also severely corroded - luckily I have some better spare pipes. I also took the opportunity of cleaning and rust proofing the front subframe that was in quite good nick under all the grime! It might be some time before the lump goes back in as the autobox needs a complete recon that I am currently saving up for! With regards, Matthew T.

Goodness...look at that chain guide...totally warn smooth. You really did get there in the nick of time Matthew. Wouldn't like to think if you had left it alone. This car could have broken in many ways.

Glad to see it is progressing well though....Nice clean subframe there!!

The guide hasn't worn smooth, the liner has come off the back-plate.

That subframe looks good Matthew. I guess all the grime was leaking engine oil.

LOOK at that subframe!!

You have too much spare time Mathew.. Get up here, and give us a hand!

Nice work there Mathew! VERY Tidy. I like it!!

Oh yes, I see what you mean. You can see the break by the rivot.

The front subframe only needed a good wash down with petrol to remove years of grime that honestly did not take very long. It also looks more impressive with the application of black Waxoil and I would come and help you out if I was closer Paul!! As I found with the gold car everything is well pickled with oil leaks and the only corrosion was surface to the front member below the rad. The cam chain guides were not only heavily worn but cracked around the rivots as noted by Will and in one case completely fell to pieces on removal! I attach another photo of the old and new guides for comparison. Regards, Matthew T.

I made a bit more progress yesterday in drilling out the three broken exhaust manifold studs and re-fitting the water pump and associated pipework in the 'v'. The first job was a nightmare and took me several hours, partly through not having any decent sharp drill bits, plus I had to find a way of positioning and holding the drill. I now need to borrow a suitable tap to re-cut the threads. The original steel coolant pipes were in a dreadful state and almost disintergrated on removal, but luckily I had a better spare set. It is quite tricky to install the pipes with aligning 'o' rings etc. and I had problems on the last occasion so took great care! The assembly of the rest of the engine including the inlet manifold, exhaust, accumulator etc. should be fairly straightforward hopefully!! Regards, Matthew T.

Well Done Mathew!! Good work!

Another clever soul making excellent progress! Well done. You really did catch this one in the nick of time. That wouldn't have been fun having that pipe go when it is all in situ.

russ92xmsed wrote:Another clever soul making excellent progress! Well done. You really did catch this one in the nick of time. That wouldn't have been fun having that pipe go when it is all in situ.

Whos the other Clever Soul Russ??