rogermunns

On several occasions, with various older cars, I've left the radiator pressure cap just loose. That is, in place but not making the pressure increase. That way water may not be lost. This is just a trick to put off the evil day. And of course keep a close eye on the pressure gauge!

Thanks for the advice. I've messed about with cars - everything imaginable - for 40 years. No more. While garages here are expensive, they do proper jobs. But after that - I'll leave it - it'll be well under the 80000 recommended since it was last done. BTW -- Copperease stopped the infernal sqeaking on the front brakes (applied sparingly between caliper and pad backing plate).

I'm wondering whether I ought to get the cambelt changed. The car is a 1998 1.8i 16V with 114000miles on the clock. I am the second owner. The first owner was fastidious about servicing and the cambelt was changed at 58000miles. I have maintained the car (no garage servicing) for 2.5 years and the car has never been revved hard or abused. It runs perfectly. I live in France where car servicing is very expensive, so the quote for €540 to change the cambelt was not a surprise. This does include changing the water pump. There are no faults with the car - no water leaks, no noises, nothing. Over here the car is probably worth about €1500, (although we were only offered €500 against a new Citroen). We intend to sell (and get another Xantia) in about 6 months. What are the risks in not getting the cambelt changed? I guess we will add another 6000miles in that time (total then 120000miles).

Hi Sorry, but I reckon that you have been tricked by the mileage! Ten year old diesel with 78000 miles? I don't think so. More likely 270000. I have a 98 car (1.8 16V petrol) with 100000 miles on the clock, I've done about 20000 of those miles. No probs except rear suspension went hard - I replaced rear spheres and also ticking noise at front (replaced centre sphere at front ). 40+ mpg (almost 50 if you really try)........very comfortable (and I live in the sticks with bumpy lanes) and capacious.

Just as a guide, I get just under or just over 40mpg in my 1.8 16V (1998). I'm very pleased with this. On a long motorway run in the summer I got 48mpg. These figures are obtained from full tank to full tank with speedo correction using mileage posts on the motorway.

1998 Xantia 1.8i 16V - I have just fitted all new lightbulbs in the headlights but I'm still not happy with the lights. Can the lamps be adjusted?