Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[russ92xmsed]

This is hardly surprising, but I must say there is a great improvement in performance to my car. It must have been getting gradually worse over a period of time, and eventually just went. Fortunately at home, so I wasn't stranded anywhere.

I have now ordered a new filter...£15.00. Not bad...So fingers crossed it arrives quickly and I can fit it and return Campbell's filter to him.

[russ92xmsed]

The magic of the XM strikes again......

My ABS investigations quickly turned into repair strut leak off pipe connection fixing today. The one I had replaced was oozing fluid by the strut. Annoying!
So a new method of using jubilee clips securing the pipe end to the strut was installed. just cannot get that original clip back on. Thought I had sorted that...clearly not. Anyway fixed now. But what was funny, was whilst putting it all back together, I had to lift the car off it's axel stands. Well no surprise there, it was the reaction it caused that was funny.
A family had just parked in the road to walk into town. Long story short, this is a constant battle with parking spaces, hence I was parked in the church grounds.....
Anyway as Father and young son were walking past, Son being a pain hence the lagging behind rest of family... I started the car and the back rose up and then the front ect ect, I heard behind me...ooooo look at that...the son was mesmerised and father quite impressed....You never know, that might just have been the trigger of future Classic Citroen ownership right there. Interestingly their family car was a Picasso.
love it when the XM makes an impression like that.

ABS is behaving, which means tomorrow it won't be. I did clean that sensor whilst the wheel was off. For some unknown reason, I keep thinking that one is at fault, even without a lexia telling me...odd.
It was a bit mucky. I also checked the engine fuse box. Some of the fuses were slightly loose. So pressed them all back in properly. I doubt this was the cause of anything, but you never know. Anyway, as usual it seems, the more it is used the ABS plays up less.
So I have to book it in for its MOT. Which means it will be fine right up to the morning of the MOT and ping....I can see it now.

I need to do a service too. First job done. The air filter. Quite black and the odd leaf was found. Must say, very much like the way it is housed. The screw fixings are strangely a delight to use. I am of course comparing this to a KA, where one screw is totally inaccessible and a simple job is a bloody pain. Which means you risk breaking the whole lot just to get at the filter. Anyway..enjoyed that easy job!
I extracted some LHM out of the tank too, to see what the colour is like. Gone dark green. It was changed a year ago, so i'll hang on for a little bit before changing it. I will do the Filters though.

That's it for now I think. Not much else to report. Apart from I am really enjoying its improved performance, better mpg, and it is running a tad cooler.

To quote Jaap.....Happy days!!

[captainhaddock]

Happy days indeed:) , could be better with endless sun shine but still..

Put vaseline in the abs connectors is a tip (moisture repelling) but in my case my faulty abs sensors looked completely undamaged but still old age got to them. Now I heard that Ford Escort ABS sensors fit a citroen CX, so isn't there any sensor that would fit the XM Bendix. I know about the VAG ones that can fool the computer for some time but still, wouldn't it be great to find out

[russ92xmsed]

Sun is shining here Jaap....it was 158 degrees again today..but it is laced with deadly looking storm clouds now!

If only there was another models sensor that would fit. I wish there was a way. You would think, with modern technology and computer programming, something could be done. Suppose no one has tried.

Good tip on the connectors. I do wonder if my problem is damp related. Hmmmmmmm.

Most likely age. It's getting old and fragile. poor thing!

[russ92xmsed]

Well the new fuel filter arrived today. All shiny and new. Total price £15.00 including delivery. Pretty good.
Filter inside and added bonus of a fuel heater built into it. Anyway, not going to use this, so need to blank off the pipes.

But all fitted this afternoon. Taken for a spin and it's great. Still need to do the idle setting errrrrr!!!!!...but it is much better.

I have booked it in for its MOT next week. EEK. Fingers crossed.......

[MTXM]

It was good to receive your update Russ and all the best for the MOT tomorrow!! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

Hi Matthew....its next week...28th. Which means by then I will be a nervous wreck!! Such is life!

[captainhaddock]

I'll try and NOT make you more nervous when I will come home Thursday with a long long list of failures After all XM's are crap cars, or aren't they?

[russ92xmsed]

CRAP!....I won't have that!!! mischievious yes I am convinced they like to plot!

Well it'll give me the weekend then to go through your failure points on my car.
Seriously, hope it does pass. You'll be fine. As you say Jaap, you have been all over the car sorting out the troubles.

Best of luck!

[CitroJim]

Russ, great update and all the very best with the MOT

You know you can buy new strut return clips from GSF? I spotted them on the 'bay as as a friend of mine needed to replace one on his V6 Xantia at the weekend. His clip was re-usable as it happened but they do fight and really need the pukka tool to do them up.

If you want details I'll go dig them out..