Citroen XM Forum

A picture says a thousand words. That first picture explains everything. Time up the rear bank and use the now horizontal dash to time the front bank. The balancer shaft is obvious.

Thanks Will and hopefully Dean got it right! With regards, Matthew T.

Timing is easy when you mark the chain up, you line the mark up on the crank with the line on the sprocket and the line on the front bank goes between the line and dot you mark on the chain, you then turn the crank 600deg, you then line the mark on the second chain with the line on the crank and the two marks one link apart further up the chain sit either side of the liner on the cam sprocket for the rear bank, both chains are the same and both sets of marks are the same, its by far the easiest way of doing it, I will make a note of the markings and where they go for any future work as the instructions that are out there do vary, some use the timing mark on the crank, some the keyway etc etc.

There are two ways to align the ballancer too with the dot pointing at the lines but again if you mark the chain as prescribed its a doddle.

D

I did not mark up the chains myself Dean, but I found it easy to align the sprockets once I understood the slightly different directions in the three sources of advice available! On the balance shaft I think the 'dot' and 'line' should strictly speaking be used. With regards, Matthew T.

MTXM wrote: In relation to the valve timing, you may recall my concern about finding the correct setting and the unclear and slightly conflicting advice obtained and I will dig out the earlier photo. With regards, Matthew T.

Thats odd, mine isnt timed up anything like that, with the crank in the same position as yours i think the cam sprocket locating dowls point roughly virtical on both heads whereas your engine shows them about 180 deg apposed .

I followed this method and my chains were already marked up and looked factory..........
IMG_3098 by Deanxm, on Flickr
Then turn crank 360deg + 240deg and align thus
IMG_3096 by Deanxm, on Flickr

D

Actually no they arent, they are timed the same (putting my glasses on helps make instructions clearer) they are timed the same just using very different methods to get there.
Thought it was odd because ive physically checked piston and valve position on each bank and its right, compression is good as well so there is no way mine could be wrong and yours is running now so neither can you

Going mad......

D

More progress tonight

IMG_3104 by Deanxm, on Flickr
IMG_3103 by Deanxm, on Flickr
IMG_3101 by Deanxm, on Flickr

D

That is looking good Dean, although I did not realize you were going for the additional black rear rocker and chain covers - an interesting choice! With regards, Matthew T.

All part of accentuating the V. Currently waiting on the heater pipes paint to dry, tomorrow im going to recover the starter motor and hydraulic pump from YOG for similar treatment.
I will adorn the transmission with the same OE but different colour scheme.

D

MTXM wrote:That is looking good Dean, although I did not realize you were going for the additional black rear rocker and chain covers - an interesting choice! With regards, Matthew T.

Once you get the rattle can started, it's difficult to stop.