Re:fitting A Diesel Fuel Pump!

[Little&Large]

Hi
I have managed to track a fuel pump down. With an exhaust back box delivered and guaranteed for £130 which I thought quite reasonable. Can anyone give me a rough idea of how long/much it would take/cost to fit,and is it very difficult to do? I think that it will be beyond me to do....unless you talk me into it!! Any help would as always be appreciated.
Regards Rob

[Peter.N.]

If its a 2.1td with a mechanical pump its not to bad although quite a lot of dismantling is required to actually get at the pump! You have to remove the top cambelt cover which means removing the top engine mounting, but, you may be pleased to know, you dont have to remove the cam belt, as you can lock the pump sprocket into position with two bolts and remove the pump leaving the sprocket in situ. A Haynes manual will give you fairly good instructions and there seem to be plenty of those about on e-bay. While you have the pump off it might be a good idea to change the two glowplugs behind it!

Peter.N.

[Little&Large]

Hi
I went to my local garage today. He was aware of a problem with wear to the spindle of the fuel pump. Apparently there is an O ring seal that can be replaced on them...so fingers crossed. They are going to have a look at the car tomorrow...I'll let you know!
If I do have to replace the pump,bearing in mind how much has to be removed is it worth having the timing belt and head gasket changed at the same time or is it much more work?
Many thanks

[Peter.N.]

Well, in order to lock up the pump drive sprocket you have to remove the top engine mounting and top timing belt cover, thats a fair way toward removing the belt, really depends on how many miles its done, recommended interval 72k but if its done more than about 20k its probably worth changing it.

The head gasket is a definite no, unless its leaking of course. I have recently changed mine and it took me two weeks at an hour or two a day and its a pig, Citroen will probably quote you around £1,000 for the job.

Peter.

[stjxs01]

Hello Bob

It has been interesting reading about your problems as I had a similar experience with my 2.1 td. I get a terrible sense of deja vous as your problems unfold. Hope you get the problems sorted as these cars are very satisfying to drive. I especially like the way the suspension firms up the faster you go, you can really chuck these things about and I'm talking estate car here.

I replaced the fuel pipe between the filter and the metal supply pipe and it made a world of difference. Having starting problems as yourself with a 1/4 tank fuel on the fuel guage I never let it get that low again - especially parked on a slope.
I guess you live and learn with XM idiosynchrosies. My car suffers from hessitation like yours, I never did fathom that one out...
Happy spannering.

Jim

[Little&Large]

Hi all
I am not sure what the chap at the garage did but it has certainly improved things.The chap works on XM's quite a bit.The car starts better but still not first time(he says the glowplugs deinitely need changing),but idles OK now,with only occassional reluctance.I am off to France again in July so I will be able to be able to afford to fill it up then.Does anybody know exactly how much the tank holds?I managed to get 18.5 gallons in it,and there was fuel left when I filled so I suspect the tank is 100 litres?The mechanic said the spheres needed replacing as they were hard.To me the car seems comfortable!My brother changed the spheres on his Xantia-is it a similar job on an XM?Does any body have any tips-I think I read on the site that we should change the accumulator as well?
Many thanks
Regards Rob

[Peter.N.]

Have you ever seen an XM estate in France? I got the feeling mine was the only one there.

Peter.N.

[Little&Large]

Hi
There were a few on the motorway-normally going past at about 95mph.They were all saloons though!
Regards Rob