just registerd play gentle :shock: ;)

[citroenxm]

AND it was Four Cylinder too Franklin????

[Duke]

Indeed Paul - 2.0i.

[endorfin]

The FIL suggested a spark plug tester? Only 7 quid from ECP so might get one of those.

I've posted a couple of replies here but they seem to go missing.

[citroenxm]

As I said, but always get argued with, EARLY 2.0 engines DID NOT have a keypad security on them.

ONLY the V6 engines from the start..

I dont know exactley when the keypad was added.. prehaps around 1991/2 on the 4 cylinder cars.

[Dieselman]

Definitely pre-1991.

[Vince]

Good to hear of an early xm turning up after being laid up for a few years...wonder how many more there are lurking around undiscovered...

How many miles does it have on it? Compression, spark, air, fuel pump working and fuel getting into the cylinders and you should be there

The leak may just be a perished or split pipe that could be replaced. You can buy fuel hose in different internal diameters from most factors.

Good luck and get some pictures up

[CitroJim]

Why??? It will only run on three cylinders Malc...Dont be a woose .. Its not like a diesel injector which sprays..

You enjoy being engulfed in fireballs do you then Paul? Petrol mixed 14:1 with air is rather flammable!

Before you do anything else fix that fuel leak first. It is the most important job of all.

[xantia_v6]

OK guys, I went to see this car this afternoon. It's hidden under a thick coat of dust but it's silver and bodywork seems to be in pretty good condition.

It IS an auto....but it's not a diesel! It's a 2.0i petrol. And it won't start. I hooked up two batteries I had with jump leads and it turns over strongly but doesn't fire up. There was a strong smell of petrol and when we moved it to another space at the lady's request it leaked petrol along the way.
I will be going back this week to get the car recovered. I had hoped to be able to get it running and drive it to the MOT testing station near me but unless I can get it started it doesn't look possible.

My knowledge of petrol engines is limited, if it was a diesel I could troubleshoot why it wasn't starting but I don't know a great deal about petrol cars. Obviously the starter is ok as it's turning over, plenty of battery power. Petrol leak could be an issue? If it was diesel I'd put it down to air getting into the fuel system but does this affect petrol cars as well. Spark plugs? Any ideas?

We don't actually know that there is a petrol leak, there is just a smell of petrol. this could have been after attempts to start it, and due to fuel lying in the exhaust/inlet plumbing. Modern petrol is very smelly after sitting a few years, particularly if the fuel tank is not sealed Did early XMs have carbon canisters?

First thing to do is pull a spark plug and see if it is wet/dry/sooty, and if there is spark. If there are spark and fuel, it is possible that it is flooded, or over-fuelling, or that the petrol is just too old.

Good luck.

[citronut]

Why??? It will only run on three cylinders Malc...Dont be a woose ..

so theres no chance of it back firing out of the intake then Paul, great balls of fire come to mind

ANYWAY whats the issue, the car wont start anyway.. so theres NO problem!

it might try

regards malcolm

[citronut]

The FIL suggested a spark plug tester? Only 7 quid from ECP so might get one of those.

I've posted a couple of replies here but they seem to go missing.

i would not go encouraging it to create a spark in any way till you fix the fuel leak

regards malcolm