Citroen XM Forum

After a bit of a drive, try dipping the LHM tank with a small transparent container to see if the fluid there contains bubbles. There should not be any, even microscopic, unless there is air ingress from somewhere.

Found the feed pipe, tank end, had a crap hose clip. It had gone a bit oval. All replaced and it is better. Hydractive is far more noticeable now on new spheres.
Fed the sills with oil too today, amongst other tinkering.... so it's dripping nicely out in the road, leaving curios oil marks!!!

Bitron Box... is it under the parking brake handle?

Noticed for a while, some coolant warning lights have come on randomly, and promptly disappeared, never to reappear. The actual temp gauge is reading perfectly, so it's not doing what it's says it's doing.
On Saturday I was sure the fans were on when they weren't meant to be. So with all this in mind, I think the bitron box is on its way out.
Found the spare, just need to change it.

Finally, after a week away in the Peak District, I have finally got round to changing the bitron box.
Did that this afternoon and took it for a drive and no odd lights are popped up. So far......
The brown plug next to the blue plug ontop of the wax stat, is looking a little ropey. The insulation has split right up against the plug. So I think I might have to solder a new plug on at some point.
Otherwise all seems fine, and a oil and filter change is next to do.

I have got round to giving the engine a flush through and an oil change last Saturday, to see if I can stop the intermittent harsh-ish ticking from the lifters or lifter. It's taken ages purely because of a complete intolerance to the cold nowadays and I have been quite busy last month with one thing and another.

I used Wynne's engine flush and to be honest wasn't hugely hopeful, although the list of positive comments about it were quite convincing. But surprisingly I think it has helped. The valve gear seems freer. Performance is good. Idle initially was ticking away intermittently, but after the 20 mins flush, it completely changed. The intermittent ticking has gone or so it seems. The oil that came out the sump was very black and thin. So it's clearly removed something from inside there!

I have been driving it about now the last few days, and it does seem happier. But I do think to really get it sounding nice and quiet.. well as much as a diesel can be, it needs a slightly thicker oil. So I might try a 15W something next oil change.

Currently it has millers diesel oil 10W40, which I hope with having more detergents in it, will help to clean it through some more.

So hopefully it continues to improve.

Long time, no post! Hope you are ok, Russ.

Second that - How are you doing, Russ?

I am still about!
I'm doing okay... I have been quiet because of some health issues going on for the last year, and in March had a kidney biopsy which has taken 4 weeks to get over. So been a bit consumed by that really.
I now suffer quite badly from the cold, (medically induced due to blood pressure medication) so I have not been doing anything with the XM over the winter. Poor thing was turning green, so I wrapped up like the Michelin man and gave it a spruce up a few weeks ago. Should really have garaged it over winter and it's something I might now consider in future.

Don't worry Rob the XM is fine... in fact I have many cosmetic plans this summer for it.

Jobs I would also like to do is to replace the FDV for a good spare I have, and replace the upper engine mount I just bought from Dean.

So there might be some updates in due course.

I had also missed your posts Russ, but I remember you mentioning some health concerns and a possible future operation. It was very good to hear you are now up and running again (almost) and have works planned for the car. I just wondered if we might see you on Sunday? With regards, Matthew T.

Back to important matters...

I wouldn't bother sourcing a replacement FDV, as a strip down and fit new O rings works wonders.