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Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 3:00 pm
by Betweenthewheels
......that I might be interested in buying:
Type: Y4 WH
RP 7732 - Jan1998
Colour: Polar White
Engine: XFZ ES9J4
Engine Number: FJ470018074
V6 - 2946cc 194hp.
Transmission: 4HP20(AG)
Mileage: 103,000
The bodywork has had the usual rot sorted out as far as I can tell - Both sills rear sections removed, replaced and treated. Inner sill sections welded.
Last MOT last year - no advisories.
Is there anything in particular with this model (e.g. Auto gearbox at 108k miles) that I need to pay special attention to?
Any help would be appreciated.
Re: Looking at a 24V 1998 Auto....
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 8:49 pm
by xantia_v6
The transmission is a lottery, they all fail sometime. The failure point is typically 130,000 to 180,000 miles, but can be sooner or later, depending on driving conditions. A car with a rebuilt transmission is obviously a bonus. It is often said that regular transmission fluid changes will postpone failure, but as the failure mode is usually a blocked filter, I have never been totally convinced. I change the 4HP20 fluid anyway, as it can't hurt.
The ES9J4 engine is pretty much bulletproof if properly maintained, the timing belt should be changed at 60,000 miles or 10 years. They often have oil weeps from the cam covers or cam support blocks, these need to be attended to as they cause the spark plugs to drown in oil, with a possible fire risk.
The top engine mounts often fail and are unobtainable, but they can be refurbished with new rubber.
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:32 am
by Dieselman
Nice car that one.
Was written off Cat-C due to being reversed into a post breaking rear bumper and spoiler on R/h corner. No lights, or body damage.
Looks fantastic in polar white, with no sunroof.
Sills needed welding in 2020.
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:00 pm
by Betweenthewheels
I knew I could rely on you Dieselman to know the car

. If the Citroen XM Wikipage was personified - it would be you!!
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:01 am
by Dieselman
A couple of pics of the car, including damaged spoiler.
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2025 1:39 pm
by Betweenthewheels
Thanks for that folks. Am going to have a look at it on Tuesday next week and see what happens.
Cheers.
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2025 12:53 pm
by Degens
Hi, if you buy it and you look for a spoiler I have a Mk2 spoiler. See here:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/car-replaceme ... 1493255861
I have many more Mk2 XM parts advertised there also, so look at other adverts if you look for something. I continue adding slowly but surely, dismantling more and more my blue XM 2 CT
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2025 10:57 pm
by SteveLP
I have one of those and it just goes on and on .. rust is the main worry.
And things will go wrong just because it is old now, and the engine is big and it's not the easiest to get your hands into to find the leaks!
You will have an oil leak from the gasket that fills the spark plug sockets. Either mend it or give it all a good clean before the MOT!!
Plastic on the lhm splitter will crack. And the hp pump is unique to this model.
I love the engine, the car is really fast and responsive too.
250k miles and still doing a couple of hundred a week.
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:24 pm
by Betweenthewheels
Thanks Degens - I think the spoiler and the bumper repairs are all done now but will keep your Gumtree link to hand for the inenvitable part replacements.
Cheerds
Re: Looking at a v6 1998 Auto....
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 5:52 pm
by Betweenthewheels
Have done the deal here in Lincoln with the owner, forum member and absolute gentleman (P. M). Am going to collect in a 2 weeks or so when the war office has been appropriately informed of the new addition

Will need that spoiler after all I think Degens - the one that's on it has been hit by a lot of pitting since the repaint following the barrier reverse. I'll PM about it. Thanks for all your help folks.