Citroen XM Forum

Thanks John

Well guys, the time is upon us.....After a very lengthy lay up, this saturday morning (1st Nov) will see my xm returning to the road again

As usual though, it isn't that plain sailing...After being paid up for so long the Bosch pump has decided to start leaking
Like someone who doesn't want to get out of bed after having a nice sleep, I'm expecting the odd niggle to present itself...this is the first, and hopefully it's last protest!

Ive just insurance to arrange this week, then road tax and we are away again. The Nissan goes back Friday afternoon so ill probably just take a van home on the friday night and use the xm for social use only until its back up to full leak free health again. Im glad in a way its the fuel pump thats leaking and not a hydraulic issue. perhaps more of a pain in the neck and wallet, but chasing hydraulic leaks has always been something i quickly lose patience with.

Considering its mileage, i dont mind the pump needing some TLC

Very exciting Vince. Sorry to hear about the pump.
Mine went at the back somewhere. It was a main seal. They 'pancake' after a while and stop sealing. I was told you can just change the leaky seal, but it's not cost effective as you will be chasing leaking seals forever. Best to get it done in one hit.

I would work out where it is leaking from before going too far, it could be the delivery valves, which is an easy job with the pump still on the car, or the maximum fuel screw O ring...again, easy.

That is interesting, so it could be fixable with the pump on the car, depending. I didn't know this so Vince....get more info on that I'd like to know as well, just in case

I'd just get another pump that's been revealed and stick it on. Ideally with the vitron seals but I think most use them now anyway

captainhaddock wrote:That is interesting, so it could be fixable with the pump on the car, depending. I didn't know this so Vince....get more info on that I'd like to know as well, just in case

You can, but I was told it needs to come off if you want to do the main driveshaft seal. Could be wrong there though!
If all the seals are original and therefore 22+years old..they will all be going or getting ready to leak.

As someone on a car program a few years back used to say...

Just BOSCH it!!!

Why faff around one at a time, get the lot done and be done with it.

Exactly Will. Get it all done in one swoop and not worry for another 22 years.

Well Paul is kindly helping out with he pump issue.
Due to the mileage on the car (over210k) im going to replace the pump with one that has been re-sealed by our very own Jim...so we know its done right

Between myself and Paul we can decide what the course of action is with the old one. If it is just a small job then great, if not then the whole pump will be overhauled. It looks to be coming out of the bottom rear of the pump assembly from the limited view i have with it on the car still..time will tell.

I was telling Paul that since having the LHM changed and the system fully cleaned out the power steering has been transformed It has been grainy for as long as i rememberwhich made we wonder if the rack was getting tired, mileage and all, but its fresh as a daisy now and super smooth again, just goes to show what an LHM service can achieve for very little money

Yesterday i sorted the insurance out for the very good price of £209 comprehensive I also got a comprehensive breakdown package just in case, for an extra £50odd quid. Its good to know though that im fully covered again though. The only snag is being on a classic policy i cant drive any other vehicle still....but never mind, ive managed for the last year and a half like that Just the tax to sort out today which will kick in on the 1st of Nov and im away.

In true form, the xm will return to the road on the saturday morning, and its going to be dragged straight into active service as we are off to see my sister in derbyshire on the saturday then loads of running around on the rest of the weekend Im going to take it easy with her though, a gentle re-habilitation process will ensue. If i get time on the sunday ill give it a good clean up as its not been washed for a couple of weeks at least

Im looking forward to driving it again and ive also booked tickets for the classic car show at the NEC in a couple of weeks time...i love the early morning drive down the M6 on the sunday...usually see loads of classic meandering along...