Can I find the reason for the leaking pressure we previously found? Can the leak be fixed with a cylinder head overhaul?
G553 XPO Restoration
This is the story of the return to the road of G553 XPO. A Citroen BX 16Valve that has been off the road for 13 years.
At the start of 2021, perhaps in a fit of COVID boredom, I took on my biggest automotive project to date. A full restoration of G553 XPO. A near immaculate shell that hasn’t been on the road since 2008! The road to success is paved with previously made bodges and unexpected pitfalls.
The XPO adventure starts
The running engine has arrived up with ~25 BHP missing. Can I find the missing ponies with some cylinder head leak testing alone?
While cleaning the engine I started to strip the ancillaries and found a multitude of poor engineering practices, and 10mm sockets!
I don’t think I’ve ever ever seen such filth under the hood of a car. Its time for cleaning the engine, before tearing it down.
Perhaps not a conventional start, my first task on this restoration is the removal of the engine so I can work on it in the warm garage.
Having recently bought a new Citroën BX 16Valve project, I’ve had a look back over its 31year history. XPO certainly has a story to tell.
Ready for the next Automotive Adventure, an opportunity came about I couldn’t resist. Now I have a new Citroën BX 16Valve restoration project