Hello Chaps....new owner

[Dieselman]

Normally they are.. Yours is the first I've witnessed being as bad as it was..

That's because the timing belt hadn't snapped, it was still driving the cam, but the timing retarded to the point the valves met the pistons.

Once the cam followers broke the cam drove them sideways into the valve stems.

All for a £10 auxiliary belt.

The old saying...The ship wa' lost for a Ha'penth O'tar, comes to mind.

Fortunately stickfingers has a few large barrels of tar...and sticky fingers.

[Stickfinger]

Well....I discovered I screwed up today. IDIOT !

I forgot to fit the washers to the head bolts.

Out one at a time, back in with washer and re-tightened...then the next one. Fingers crossed.

Suffered one --Snappage-- however....

20210610_152644[1].jpg

[citroenxm]

Been there done that but with torx bits.

Halfords ones but you get a free replacement with their professional range..

[Stickfinger]

FFS.....how is it possible to fit the spring and bolt on an XM's exhaust down pipe -2-Pipe !.....the crush washer prevents me getting a nut on as the springs needs to be compressed......which is @@@@@@@ impossible !

[citroenxm]

I told you.. I've been on about it for ages, when I had the engine and box out of the auto 2 years ago I held the engine forward on the crain to get the bolt spring and washer cup in place loosly then put the engine in place..

[White Exec]

Longer bolts?

[citroenxm]

That's not the issue Chris. Looking up lieing under the car the right bolt UK drivers side is up against the down pipe tunnel.. The bolt is loose.. The spring is loose. And do is the cup washer.. So.. You need to hold the bolt get the spring and washer on hold them in place and then get the 10mm bolt on.. When you can't get a hand there it's nigh on impossible., the classic example of the fact running gear was assembled on one jig so there's no body work in the way and body added later..

[Stickfinger]

What a ball of a job !....It really would have been easier with longer bolts (about 5-10mm)

They are on now but I still have to tighten them up/line-up the exhaust etc.

That is not 3 hours I will ever get back !

[citroenxm]

Tightening I didn't find so bad once they it was on. Leave the passenger side one off so the weight of the pipe pulls on the other one and if bolt and nut threads are clean is should tighten without needing to hold the top bolt.. Then the other one is simple..

But well done in succeeding... A credit..

[Stickfinger]

I agree, tightening is not the problem with new bolts, getting the nuts on however...a PIG of a job that would be easy if the flange was vertical rather than horizontal.

I will check it again tomorrow as I was a little "unhappy" with the angle of the joint.....maybe me being over zealous but....