Citroen XM Forum

Hi Mathew,
The VH part of the registration was allocated to Huddersfield as was CX, so it could be registered in Huddersfield originally.

Norman

mds141 wrote:There are a few companies out there Russ. http://royalsteeringwheels.com/

Thanks Mark. Interesting.

I liked the look of that car when it was advertised, but another XM would be a step too far.

another XM would be a step too far

That is something like what my wife said Will when I broke the news!!!!
With regards, Matthew T.

Well, after tasting your cake, at least you won't starve...

Well mathew.. you have equelled me now!! Looks like I need to rid TWO xantia and find some more.. one of which I have had my eye on for some time...

Just to report progress after spending a little more time on the car and most significantly I have got the engine running and the hydraulics also work, which is quite impressive after about eight years standing. The engine is remarkably quiet and smooth and puts all my other cars to shame, which I guess is down to the low mileage and regular servicing I understand the previous owner gave. There was initially a reluctance to fire that I traced to lack of a spark and an apparently faulty ignition coil and after replacement and cleaning the plugs and other contacts etc. life was restored. The suspension rose up almost immediately at the rear possibly helped by the fact the front was supported on wooden blocks. A few other issues have come to light including a slipping starting motor that makes a rather unhappy noise and there is quite a significant hydraulic leak on a rear pipe which I think is where exposed against the underside. The hole in the engine sump turned out to be just a small neat slit where the forklift tyne scraped across that I was able to fix with plastic putty and it is holding out thus far! There is some attention needed to the sills including both rear flanges where the car sits very close to the ground and vegetation encroached and a large hole behind the front nearside wheel that is a common problem. The front bumper mounting points are also in quite poor condition. A problem with the gearbox had been confirmed that interestingly seems to be the same as that I had with my original 1990 model after a rebuild, which is the loss of all forward gears, possibly again due to a stuck hydraulic valve? I understand the latter is quite a common fault on the ZF HP18 box and it would be helpful if only the valve block had to be removed and rebuilt. One remarkable thing is the general condition of the engine ancillaries including the exhaust system front pipes which are all very clean and tidy, perhaps again reflecting the low mileage. The wiring insulation is also so much better quality on the slightly later models. In conclusion the car certainly deserves to be saved and restored, although due to budget, time and space constraints, it may take a little while! I hope to make space in my garage to start the work shortly if local dry storage for another car can be secured and I will keep you all posted. With regard, Matthew T.

When I started playing with a H reg SED of mine and an L reg 2.1 TD auto also here, I started noticing that although they may all look the same on the outside under the skin was continual changes!!

Wiring was one thing.. Where the early car had simple "Bandaged" covered harnesses and untidily mounted over the engine on the H reg, the later L reg car had plastic Conduit covered wires, and they were routed more tidy'lly and better laid.

Another thing I found too Mathew, Early PRV harness's and Later harness ARE different, however, I think its an S2 change!

I remember YEARS ago I fitted an S2 PRV to my K reg S1.5, and the original engine harness had to be used, but a couple of things had changed and the harness was a bit tight...

The most obvious difference I noticed with the wiring Paul is the far better quality black and red covering materials used, which I remember was also on my contemporary 2.0i turbo now with Graeme. There were clearly other changes apart from the two spoke wheel at this time! As with some other components on this car the engine harness looks like new! With regards, Matthew T.

Clearly Citroen wanted to rid an potential electrical issues, after it gained it's reputation for dodgy electrics.

Great news to here it's a keeper Matthew.