Citroen XM Forum

Hey there, thought I'd introduce myself! I'm David and this is my new xm I got yesterday! bought it as a hopeful daily driver, seller originally gave me a bit of a list of problems it has like the locks being buggered and the low beams not working and the heater only works on full blast, all seemed like simple issues to fit, was quite far away so I got a company to deliver it.
All seemed good till it was driven off the trailer and hydraulic oil started pooling up on the floor by the front right hand side, which was to say the least bit heart wrenching and I'm yet to actually dive into where this is actually leaking from. But today's a new daily and I'm feeling a bit more hopeful!

I think I'm right to say that hydraulic oil (LHM) leak will be from a low pressure return, as the suspension raised enough to be loaded and unloaded from the trailer? A leak on the low pressure return means an easier fix.

Your XM looks lovely! Please post about all your work on it

Congrats, mate!
The car's looking pretty good!
Have a look on the back of the hydraulic cylinder,. Theres a rubber draining house wich returns the LHM fluid to the canister.
When it breaks the leak is quite often mighty.

Julianw wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 02, 2025 12:47 pm

I think I'm right to say that hydraulic oil (LHM) leak will be from a low pressure return, as the suspension raised enough to be loaded and unloaded from the trailer? A leak on the low pressure return means an easier fix.

Your XM looks lovely! Please post about all your work on it

It was a bit slow in raising the front and once I parked the car up and turned the engine off the front was nose down very quickly compared to the rear
But it's reassuring that this should (hopefully) be a easy fix! I'm completely new to these cars, so I wouldn't have a clue where to start but I am excited to learn on go

TigerHunter wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 02, 2025 1:47 pm

Congrats, mate!
The car's looking pretty good!
Have a look on the back of the hydraulic cylinder,. Theres a rubber draining house wich returns the LHM fluid to the canister.
When it breaks the leak is quite often mighty.

It's definitely a bit rougher than it looks in pictures! But such a cool car, kids are well excited about it


&& Is there any specific type of hose needed to replace this if that's what's broke?

It's more than specific. It' s quite unique by design. I call it ' the alien'.
Can't show you more than a simple picture.
It's used on the Xantia's and C5's also . It's identical.


[http://www.dbk-dimitrov.com/dbk-dimitro ... xm-kb-015a][/url]

The rubber leak back hose is P# 95050399
The clip that retains it is P# 96127591

Consider this part a consumable item, so order a pair. If yours has the original stainless steel, click-clip, you can reuse it, if not order new clips, or a hose and clip as a kit.
The hoses normally perish and split at the top, where it pushes onto the steel return pipe. As a temporary measure, cut the hose off the steel pipe and push the remaining hose on.

Hose.



Original type clip.



A 2.1Td makes an excellent daily use car, especially useful in estate form. It looks like it's Sd trim level, any more info? Is it manual, or auto?
The Rp number printed on the left front door A pillar is important for technical information and parts. As the car was registered April 1993, it could have an early Hydractive-2 system, as opposed to Hydractive-1. The Rp number will tell all, as all Xm built post 11th February 1993 are Hydractive-2, Rp 5930 on.

There are some windscreen side trims available in the Sales/wants section of the forum.
My preference would be to re silver the bumper and trim inserts.

Be attentive to corrosion, it is the killer of an Xm, mechanically they are very robust and will cover very high mileages.
Don't be scared of Citroen hydraulics, they are very simple and generally reliable. There is nothing you cannot fix yourself, with basic tools, on an Xm.

I'm sure there will be trials and tribulations, but stick with it, a properly working Xm is a real treat to drive and ride in.

An overview of the hydraulics systems can be found here. viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10291

The low beams issue is likely to be the relay behind the right headlamp not making good contact in the holder.

Series 1 electrical diagrams can be found here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10268
The Haynes ones are accurate for what they cover, as they are re-drawn Citroen diagrams.