Citroen XM Forum

Well I have had to abandon any plans of tweaking the idle setting today. The bloody car won't start! I think it is the battery. On Thursday it just about kicked into life...and now it is dead. It will crank over, just won't start. Typical! So it is being charged up.

My own fault, too many short runs and not enough long distance driving.

So it brings me to a little question about tweaking the idle setting, whilst the battery is filling up with electricity. I have a Bosch pump so obviously it is about undoing locking nuts and adjusting screws. The Haynes manual is quite good, but not sure if you do it while the engine is running or off. And which way your meant to turn the idle adjustment screw ...down or up....which is nice and inexcessable. I will have to remove the air inlet pipes to gain access to it.
Sorry to ask such a silly question.....such an easy job I know, but never having done it before, I just want to make absolutely sure.

Everything else seems to be correctly adjusted. To be honest, with the MOT due this month I'm getting to the point of just booking it in and having the service done too and have done with it. Not the cheapest solution and feels like giving in!

Might have more success tomorrow. HA!

Intake manifold off, start fully warmed engine, loosen the locknut on the RH screw, adjust speed to 800rpm, tighten screw, test revving to check idle is stable, rebuild manifold.

Since adjusting the idle my gearbox no longer chatters at idle, the engine no longer vibrates like an electric toothbrush head, since freeing off the stuck accelerator ferrule and removing the damper the car now shifts as intended...the back goes down and the horizon gets closer.

Why does the inlet manifold need to come off Will?

CitroJim wrote:Why does the inlet manifold need to come off Will?

Because the car was designed to have a Lucas CAV pump fitted. Access to the screw is impossible with the intake manifold fitted.

russ92xmsed wrote:Well I have had to abandon any plans of tweaking the idle setting today. The bloody car won't start! I think it is the battery. On Thursday it just about kicked into life...and now it is dead. It will crank over, just won't start. Typical! So it is being charged up.

If only it was a manual gearbox...

Yes thank you Will. A manual is now looking like a great idea!!!!

Seriously though, thanks for the explanation it really helps. I thought the inlet manifold needed to come off, and wasn't sure if the engine had to be warm or not....and it does....Great!


Only magic would adjust that screw, if you didn't take the inlet off. Honestly Jim, I'll take a photo for you, it is tucked right out the way.

Ahh, now you see exactly what happens when some-thing’s designed for one thing, in this case a Lucas pump - which is far superior - and then they reckon it's better to fit something different, like a Bosch... Shouldn't be allowed...

If I recall, it's necessary to have the manifold off to replace the leakoff pipes too..

Still, you're in good company with us ES9 V6 owners; there's many jobs that require the inlet manifold to be removed such as replacing the rear bank spark plugs

Still, on the plus side, the top section of the 2.1 manifold is easy enough to remove It's not quite so on the ES9

Take a photo Russ cause I don't follow. Cant you tighten up the throttle cable a little bit..I don't know. Anyway, I was fettling with crusty hydraulic pipes on a CX GTI turbo with airco....now there's a story! :~) By the way, I would recommend a good strong new battery, keeps frustration at bay.

The accelerator cable is the wrong way to adjust the idle speed on any car, but especially a diesel.

Ah, I see, hence the need for the flaring tool. I thought it might be for the CX. Hope it isn't too bad Jaap.

I will take a pic tomorrow. You are very right. A new tougher battery will be on the cards. It is my fault. I should of taken it out more and give it a quick blast down the M5 more often.

Well I have measured the cables as Haynes suggest and they are all correct. However they do feel a bit slack. The kick down cable is certainly in need of adjustment on having another look, so that will be done tomorrow.