Citroen XM Forum

Has the 2.1 of Russ's vintage not got an ally sump then John?

And don't forget the gorillas used by garages to do up sump plugs They don't help. Sump plugs do not need to be done up to 350 ft lbs but try telling some garages that

Thanks chaps for the info. I do believe it is an 8mm square holed plug. That does sound right.

Interesting about the tightness....I think it certianly is an alloy sump. I will be careful. Well because of not having the right tool, or having something that would do, I haven't really tried to loosen it, so no idea if it is stuck. It has a slight seep, so maybe it is free. If not, then I'll have to get it sucked out.

The last person to change the oil, is a well known Suffolk based specialist. so no idea there how they change the oil.


Has anyone had a serious leak from their sump gasket, or had any horror stories of it going suddenly?

Russ, mine is both, the 8mm square insert and the outer part 21mm hex. I presume as Jim says they are all/mostly like this.

I preferred using the 21mm outer part to unscrew, as it just felt safer and easier applying the loosening torque here than on the 8mm square insert. I didn't want to face the possbility of rounding it off. Much easier this way IMO.

You could get a new sump plug with the 21mm/8mm combo head. It's cheap and you'll be thankful you did.

Hey, 12 months MOT! Congrats!

Get the right tool Russ, take it gently and it'll be fine, just don't go mad at it and use a long breaker bar gently rather than a short bar aggressively if it is really tight. That way you stand a lot less chance of inflicting damage..

russ92xmsed wrote: The last person to change the oil, is a well known Suffolk based specialist. so no idea there how they change the oil.

They most likely get Harry Potter to cast a spell over it... Seriously, if they were the last to do it I'm sure they won't have done it up silly-tight...

russ92xmsed wrote:Has anyone had a serious leak from their sump gasket, or had any horror stories of it going suddenly?

Only on an ES9 Russ so you’re OK Quite a common failing actually due to no gasket, just sealant...

Mine has sealant. You can see it.

I think I might do as Rohan has suggested and get a new plug with the outside bit. Mine is flush fitting and only has the 8mm hex. Mind you it still means buying a new tool for this one to get it done. ERRR nothing is easy!!

I will do as I'm told Jim...nice and carefully...Don't want any creased up sumps.



Thanks very much Rohan...yep it got through. Massive relief.
I like Johns advice on the emissions... just sit with it running until it goes in! Must do that next time.

russ92xmsed wrote:Mine has sealant. You can see it.

That's not very professional

Halfrauds do new sump plug and washer sets along with most decent factors. beware there's two sizes and I can never recall which fits what only that I know on my fleet I use both so I tend to buy one of each every time to be sure I get one that fits...

CitroJim wrote:

russ92xmsed wrote:Mine has sealant. You can see it.

That's not very professional

Halfrauds do new sump plug and washer sets along with most decent factors. beware there's two sizes and I can never recall which fits what only that I know on my fleet I use both so I tend to buy one of each every time to be sure I get one that fits...

Admittedly it isn't that much...it is the bits that squidged out when it was last done.

I'm of to Halfrauds tomorrow. 8mm square socket adapter oil drainage end thing is 5 quid. Hopefully more successfully tomorrow.

The XM sump washer goes nicely over my little finger! The smaller one is for the more modern stuff!

Grind an allen key down to make the 8mm square tool, then knock the end of the sump plug with a hammer, insert the tool and knock it round with the hammer.

Shock is much better for undoing tight threads than axial force.

Well that's one way of doing it.
I prefer going to Halfrauds and being told by their demented computer system that the key bit I needed was in stock but only available to collect on Tuesday...I now officially hate Halfords!

Went to the Gloucester branch instead. It is so much better. Like old Halfords used to be. And there it was...with a golden halo around it!!!

So tomorrow I will complete this simple task of changing the oil.