Citroen XM Forum

Bwhaaaaa....

White Exec wrote:At last! No more need to do Playschool Circuits!!!!!!

Bloody amateurs that haven't got a clue what they're doing eh!!

There was complete method in my madness!

I am giving some very serious thought about preparing the mandarins original engine to eventually go back in one day. I know it's a strange thing to think about after doing the last engine swap only last year, but for absolute peace of mind, I want an engine I can rely on and know that is sorted. I also miss the extra power... I knew I would!
I just don't have full confidence with the current engine for some reason, although it's always ran fine. Too many annoying things have failed on it since owning it for my liking. And partly due to where it came from maybe... suspicions is one way of putting it.

I also want to know where the head gasket has gone on the mandarins engine. I know it's a coolant to exhaust failure (or visa versa) but where...I'm curious!
So because I haven't done a head gasket change before, might as well do it on an engine that is out of the car already, isn't needed just yet and do it in my own time and of course carefully.

It's a mad plan I admit. But having one engine ready to go when I need it would be great. And then I can have the other BTE engine for spares only.

I have some reading up to do. I want to start this summer, well that's the plan!

Go for it! By the way, why aren't you at Wetherby?

If you really feel the need, doing the head gasket out of the car is very easy. The failure will be compression to coolant ways towards the rear of the block.

If you are bothering doing the head gasket, replace all the crank, cam and any other seal you can get access to. It's much easier out of the car.

Dieselman wrote:If you really feel the need, doing the head gasket out of the car is very easy. The failure will be compression to coolant ways towards the rear of the block.

If you are bothering doing the head gasket, replace all the crank, cam and any other seal you can get access to. It's much easier out of the car.

That is my plan Will. If I'm going to do it, I want to make sure that it is as sorted as I can make it.

raynoon wrote:Go for it! By the way, why aren't you at Wetherby?

Too far Ray... I have never been to the Wetherby rally. I'll be at the National though.

Its been a while.... here's an update. A successful MOT pass yesterday was achieved.
Just a few niggles that needed attention. One headlight was slightly out of adjustment, a tie rod end needed a little nip up and a steering rack bolt need tightening. Flash backs to France! How that got loose who knows.
Brakes were bled, and its all good to go. Needs a flipping good wash, which it definitely deserves!

Well done on the test pass Russ!

That is great news Russ and at least you caught the steering rack in time!! It was those twisty French roads that did for mine, plus not having the right tool! With regards, Matthew T.