Test drive Citroen Xantia 1998 - 2001 hatchback

Land plane

Citroen was never just a means of moving from point A to point B. Almost every model, starting with the legendary 2CV, contained a highlight that allocates it from the mass of the same type of crews, whether it is a single -spitting steering wheel, a hydropneumatic suspension or a system of compensation for the body roll.
The history of the model
1992. Citroeon Xantia is represented by a five -door hatchback. Four-cylinder engines in-line, gasoline, XU series: 8-valve 1.8 liters, 74 kW/101 hp and 2.0 l, 89 kW/121 hp.; 16-valve 2.0 liters, 112 kW/153 hp.; Diesel vortex a series XUD: 1.9 l, 51 kW/69 hp and 1.9 l, 66 kW/90 hp With turbocharged. Boxes M5, front drive.
1994. The gasoline engine is 1.6 liters, 65 kW/89 hp, the engine power 2.0 l is reduced to 110 kW/150 hp. Automatic KP. Activa version.
1995. The station wagon is presented. The engine power is 2.0 liters reduced to 108 kW/147 hp.
1996. Gasoline engines: P4 1.8 liters Option 16V: 81 kW/110 hp.; P4 2.0 l power is reduced to 97 kW/132 hp.; P4 2.0 liters appeared, with turbocharged: 108 kW/147 hp.; At the end of the year, V6 2.9 liters were released, 140 kW/190 hp. Vortex diesel 2.1 l, 80 kW/109 hp
1997. The 1.6 liter engine is replaced by 8-cycles. 1.8 l, 66 kW/90 hp, and 1.9D per 1.9SD (low -pressure TRK) 55 kW/75 hp.
1998. Restyling: Capot, headlights, rear lights, dashboard have changed, passive safety has improved. There was a diesel diesel Common Rail (HDI), P4: 2.0 l, 80 kW/109 hp.
1999. The HDI P4 diesel was added: 2.0 l, 66 kW/90 hp.
year 2001. Removal from production.
Unfortunately, for a long time this brand remained in Russia almost as rare as Rolls-Royce or Bentley, about which everyone had heard, but few saw firsthand.
However, in the 90s, the shaft of used cars from Europe brought to us a car with double chevrons mainly from France, where most motorists unconditionally support their manufacturers.
Xanthia became relatively popular in the market. Today she is asked for five thousand dollars for a ten-year-old copy to eight to nine for six or seven-year-olds (after restyling). But you need to choose complex equipment especially carefully, especially since there are not so many real specialists in these machines.
Where do you deign?
First of all, you should think carefully if you need Citroen. For excellent smoothness and the ability to change the road clearance will have to be paid. In terms of service at the company service, Xantia is comparable to popular Germans or Japanese. But on their own, you often can not do here. In addition, the company always tried to go its own way, independently creating software, scanners, even an algorithm for encoding a radio, which is not very much on the teeth (probably, therefore, they almost do not attract thieves). In a word, if only MTS with your branded tool are nearby, do not count on its specialists.
It is a sin to entrust this Frenchwoman to entrust the black work: to be on the parcels, carry a heavy trailer or carry bags with potatoes is not her destiny. Although it is convenient: when loading, you can lower it, and the road clearance will not eat! But it was created for pleasure: her vocation of the trip. Ksyusha and fans of hunting and fishing will not disappoint: a large clearance, a flat bottom and relatively short overhang for a car of this class (especially the rear) allow you to move even along a forest rut and in deep snow. The suspension stiffness increasing when lifting the body allows movement at high speed without strong vertical swing. On the asphalt Xantia feels more confident in most of his classmates. And the version of the asset in stability in corners exceeds many recognized athletes. But we will return to her.
Before the 1998 restyling (see the history of the model), Xanthia was produced in four main trim levels. The dummy X was distinguished by the ultimate asceticism: neither gur nor tachometer (not to mention ABS and airbags!), The back of the rear seats is indecent, the suspension is the simplest hydropneumatics (its rigidity does not change at speed), the engines are least powerful in the range. Where the prerestyling SX looks worthy: GUR, central lock, tachometer, front electric windows, split (40:60) back of the rear seat. Hydractive suspension is present in the top version of VSX. Here are already available ABS, tinted glass, fog lights, a driver’s airbag, an electric grinder and adjusting the driver's seat in height. The top of the luxury of Activa with a system of counteracting the body rolls, climate control and wood inserts on the dashboard.
After restyling, starting with the SX configuration, ABS, front and lateral airbags began to be installed on all cars. There were a climate package (for SX as an option, for VSX and the assets are regularly), rain sensor, decoration of the chairs velor and alcantara, wooden inserts (VSX and Activa), immobilizer in the key (do not confuse the CSC control button!).
Spheres of influence
A hydropneumatic suspension is installed on Xantius, leading its pedigree from Fantomasovsky DS 19. Recall briefly the principle of its operation. The suspension stand is connected to the sphere separated by the membrane. Under the membrane there is compressed gas (nitrogen), on the other side of the liquid flowing through the jet from the rack (shock absorber) and vice versa. Thus, the gas acts the role of the elastic element of the suspension, having significant advantages compared to the steel spring. Firstly, as the Citroen is loaded, the suspension becomes tougher better than the breakdown, and as it is relieved, it is made softer, more comfortable. In the classic suspension, the opposite is true. Secondly, the critical temperature and nitrogen pressure are such that the suspension provides almost the same comfort in winter and in summer, and high fluid pressure eliminates its foaming.
In the simplest and most reliable version (for the configurations of X and SX), five areas are involved: four rack and one central (battery). This scheme allows not only to change the clearance at the command of the driver, but also automatically maintain it regardless of the load. The drive and all the actual mechanisms are mechanical here.
In the version of the hydracture to five areas (the sixth sphere anti -senior was installed on cars after 1993), two more for each axis are added. By connecting and turning them off, you can change the rigidity of the suspension. The operation of the bypass valves is controlled by a computer. However, the clearance regulates the traditional mechanical sorcerer with springs and rockers.
Contrary to common opinion with green balls, there are not so much trouble. The main childhood diseases won back in 1995. The front spheres serve four to five, the back five to six years. And changing them is no more difficult than an oil filter (better with a couple). Keep in mind that the spheres differ not only in car models, but also depending on the engine and operating conditions (there is an option for a cold climate). Noriginal costs two to three times cheaper, but also lives about the same amount of times less. Some craftsmen temporarily restore the performance of spheres, replenishing the decline in nitrogen. If you are lucky, they will be enough for a year and a half. The racks themselves serve 120150 thousand km.
Problems often create a clearance adjustment mechanism. If the levers are deformed, the springs weakened or the hinges acidified, it will not be possible to accurately set all the positions of the body (the lying, of course, does not count). Do you want the mechanism to serve longer? Switch the selector sequentially, waiting for the alignment of the body. In order not to blind oncoming drivers, Citroen falls like a camel: first in front, then the ass, and rises in the reverse order. If you shim with a lever immediately from the edge to the edge, the rockers in the adjustment mechanism may bend.
The first sign of aging hydraulics squatting the car in the parking lot. With new details, the body remains raised for several days. If the leaks are large, in the morning you will have to wait a few minutes, while the pump restores the pressure in the system. Therefore, it is better to watch a car after a long parking.
The decline in the suspension is also indicated by its increased rigidity. And if at idle under the hood, frequent (more than six per minute) clicks accompanied by hiss are heard, it is time to change the central sphere, it is located near the radiator. Do not tighten with the replacement of the lowered areas: due to their malfunction, the load on other nodes of the silent blocks, suspension supports, valves increases.
If the car began to suddenly squeeze, the supporting bushings in the rod of the adjustment of the road clearance were probably worn out. It is not difficult to replace cheap details yourself. In general, there should not be noticeable backlash in the drive. And most importantly: at least two or three times a month, make the car go on tiptoe and lie down on the abdomen, it is useful for him!
Continuous asset
This is the most difficult and most expensive version and repair version. Its main differences: more powerful engines (usually P4 2.0 L turbo and V6 2.9 L), expensive equipment and a unique suspension of a hydroractive with an anti -Crene effect. To counteract the rolls on the car, very rigid reptile stability stabilizers are installed, but the back of the right and front left racks of the stabilized stiff stabilizer. The same principle is used here as in the suspension: the hydraulic cylinder is connected to the gas -filled sphere. While the rolls are small, the gas damps the movements of the stabilizer. As soon as the angle of inclination of the body exceeds 0.5 degrees, the pressure is redistributed in the hydraulic cylinders, and the spheres turn off the game.
The opposition of the roll occurs instantly: the imposing sedan in a steep turn quietly becomes almost a formula car. The lateral acceleration of the assets of 0.94 G (on tires 205/55R15), while Honda NSX showed 0.93 G, Ferrari-512TR 0.92 G, and most cars are demolished at 0.8 G (Lautomobile magazine data). It is a pleasure to control such a car, but do not overdo it at speed: after all, charged Xantia can accelerate to 230 km/h!
We have to pay for the drive regular (approximately every 50 thousand km) replacing the hydraulic stabilizer racks, expensive diagnosis and very expensive repairs in the event of an accident.
The inspection will pass!
The gamut of the engines of Xantia is diverse and generally coincides with their set for Peugeot 406 (see the history of the model and ZR, 2004, No. 8, p. 200). The main thing is not to pull with the replacement of the timing belt: 90100 thousand km, a real recommendation for Russia.
Most of the gasoline engines with a volume of 1.8 liters, 90 and 110 hp. relatively economical and inexpensive. Less two -liter and very few three -liter V6. The last joys of the kings of the gas station: after all, even the passport consumption of gasoline in the city cycle has almost 16 liters, and with a machine gun exceeds 17! On versions with a turbocharged, fear deep puddles: a cold shower leads to the cracks of the exhaust manifold and the TRC building.
Gearboxes of both mechanics and a machine gun do not cause serious complaints. But manual transmission with aluminum synchronizers (except for the V6 gasoline engine and 2.1 l diesel) do not like sharp inclusions, they are not for racing.
Another ailment of the manual transmission is rarely manifested, but the cost of cure is much more impressive. After several years of intensive operation, a satellite tooth may break off. He falls exactly on the gear of the main couple, who, picking him up, drives into the aluminum crankcase of the CP (the gear is located almost close to it). Through the cracked crack, hot oil flows in a matter of seconds, then returning to the evacuator and replacing the box. Therefore, having heard a click under the hood, immediately check whether the crankcase is intact. If you notice the oil leak in time, you can do with the replacement of satellites by brewing a crankcase.
Gur and brakes in Xantia feed on the same hydraulics as the suspension. Therefore, a fluid leak leads to the refusal of all three systems. However, not immediately. First, the suspension sets and tanes, then the steering wheel is heavy, and only then the case comes to the brakes. In practice, with proper care, failures are extremely rare. A tanned lamp of insufficient fluid level in the tank usually signals about the wear of the pads. By the way, you can pump the drive here alone, because the pressure in it creates a pump.
There are no big claims to the steering. Only sometimes the right sleeve of the rail is broken (if the stem is still alive, it can be replaced) and the cardan joint of the steering shaft wears out. With the replacement of the latter, it did not pull, the worn hinge was shaken when turning the steering wheel.
The brake pedal on Xantia acts only on the dosing valve, so the reaction of the mechanisms to pressing is almost instantaneous. Some drivers do not immediately adapt to dead brakes help ABS. But, oddly enough, many cars do not undergo inspection due to insufficient effort on the rear axle. The reason is the original pressure distribution scheme along the axes: it depends on the pressure in the suspension racks. It is easy to use a simple and elegant design solution for the benefit: to increase brake force, it is enough to increase the pressure by raising the car, or load a cast -iron radiator into the trunk





Anatoly Sukhov
 

Source: The magazine "Driving"