M.O.T. fail on -

[Stonehopper]

"Unspecified suspension fluid leak"

Well, we got it back up in the air and took a look. The "unspecified" leak is causing a wetting of the subframe, and there was a little puddle (a desert spoonful) of LHM on the deck.
It appears to be coming from the junction tucked up against the lower inner wing above the steering rack end. There's a rubber section that has an expamet type clip around it, and whilst it's wet all around, can't see the leak. As it's on the return side (I suspect) that junction needs a look at. But what a nightmarish position! Doubtless the rubber bit is original, so that's 40yrs old - but is that the bit being part of the horrendously priced 'octopus'?

Are prehensile limbs and flexible spanners that harden on attachment required?

Any clues would be welcome.

[Stonehopper]

Just spent some interesting time under the bonnet, and discovered most of what I need to do will not involve getting under the car (phew!). The culprits are short sections of rubber tubing connecting nylon stubs to metal pipes (two in all) and held on by Ligarex clips.

I'm getting there . . .

Quite why it started leaking on the test I do not know. But it did, and so has prompted a needy replacement.

[Stickyfinger]

Quite why it started leaking on the test I do not know. But it did, and so has prompted a needy replacement.
=
Citroen

[Stonehopper]

= Citroen

Aah yes!

. . and a happy birthday to my wife. (I'm watching you Reynolds - a-l-l-ways watching . . .)

[citronut]

same as the DS i am re/commissioning once i sorted the injector fault ( new set at £600 ) we took her for a spin round the owners land and she go so excited she wet her self , BIG pool of green stuff/blood under the rear of the O/S front wheel arch

[Stonehopper]

Aren't they fun . . .

Well, I got the nylon junction box off and the rubber pipes that connect from the nylon stub pipes of the junction to the 3.5mm metal pipes from the height correctors and pressure regulator (all return pipes), and found that despite being quite thick walled, they are showing signs of cracking with multiple fine cracks around the ends and part of the pipe. Only three inches long, but they have different bores at each end - 3mm ish at the metal pipe end and 5mm at the nylon pipe end.

Taking some new fuel quality pipe I was able to fit one end over the nylon pipe, but they are too loose over the metal. Tried some pipe clips to squeeze onto the bulge in the metal. Much blue air and several hours later - need new pukka rubber connections. Damn. Right faff of a location - bet the DS is likewise. One connection is hard under the section of the front subframe.

Edited for update 5 May:

Original pipes with dissimilar end i/d's are not available.
However, I find that 5mm i/d pipe takes the 3.5mm pipe seals a treat, and can be squeezed inside one end of some 5mm pipe resulting in 5mm one end and 3.5mm the other. With said pipes fitted and clamped with petrol pipe clams (10-12mm ones) we have no more leaks. Success.

[Stonehopper]

Oh dear - only partial success. The aforementioned leak has been stopped, but more LHM dripping from the cross member just aft of the gearbox.
Suspect brake dosseur valve or connections thereto. Maybe a damaged pipe. I do hate crawling under cars!

[citronut]

maybe in fixing the first leak you have pulled the plastic pipe out at another point further down the line,

[Stonehopper]

As if it would be that easy!

The drips kept dripping, And due to the nature of where the car sits on the drive, LHM was finding its way from the source of the leak along and around the subframe members setting me on a wild goose chase.

Whilst the replacement of the small rubber pipes did alleviate some seepage, the real culprit has turned out to be the doseur valve seal - a little Bowler hat shaped jobby that is held in with a steel ring. Mine was perished, and was allowing LHM to dribble down the bulkhead on the engine side where it ran around a lip in the bulkhead form, and dripped onto the cross member following gravity depending on the parked attitude of the car.

The close fitting piston of the valve fits inside the barrel with no seals. The underside of the Bowler hat has return pressure LHM (correct me if I'm wrong, this is my first exploration of a doseur), and the split in the hat has led to a distinct leak on the low pressure (return) side of the hydraulics.

New seal on the way. She might get us to Scotland in June yet!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k5h9mfm79kgvu ... 9.JPG?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pm16g2f97ard8 ... 9.JPG?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[citronut]

are you getting the bit from citroen , if not were and how much

here is price and part No. for the protector ( bowler hat ) and its alloy retaining ring from citroen

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
5424455 CNTRL-UNIT RING 3.61 GBP 4.33 GBP 4.33 GBP

95640067 BRAKE PROTECTOR 6.64 GBP 7.97 GBP 7.97 GBP

if you did not know you are aware there still available from the dealer

why did you remove the circlip ane plunger?????

[Stonehopper]

£11.50 + VAT plus p&p - Mr. Moss.

I did not know they were available from dealers.
The plunger? I can't resist taking things apart, and thought there might be further seals involved. There are no images that show seals, so a look see was done. Fine piece of engineering. Is back in with fresh LHM but awaiting the Bowler.

[citronut]

here is a screen shot link of service citroen for a BX dosure valve

all the same as a GS/A

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8h6u1fed49mt ... 5.png?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NFP = no longer available from Citroen

also if you feel like delving into cam belts and tensioners, these also are available from the motor factors,

i just bought a twn/double belt kit for Mr Salters GS for £36 quid odd including VAT from my local Ajays car part, and the tensioners are available from the likes of GSF for around £11 each

[Stonehopper]

Thanks Malcolm. Car's done less than 3,000 on the present belts and tensioners, and there seems to be a supply through the likes of Ebay.
The 'Bowler hat' on the BX looks the same, though the body of the valve and much else looks different. The BX has a bleed nipple at right angles to the bore, and no sign of return or overflow return. Happily a replacement will not be on the cards, as I've been quoted £195 + the usual.
All info welcome though. Not having had to do a lot of service maintenance (save changing piston rings and gaskets - the former I was advised not bother changing as "They last forever", but the ring gap was .010" over the wear limit and general practice is to replace if stripped down that far. Bad economy not to) I have not had the need to seek out suppliers, and fallen back on Chevronics or Der Franzose when in need, so the alternative sources are mostly unknown to me.

[Stonehopper]

I have come across an issue with the doseur valve cap seal.

The part number as shown by Malcolm in his screen shot, and the part number on the bag containing a new doseur valve cap seal as received from Chevronics, is the same: 95 640 067. Both screen shot and bag indicate this seal is for a BX. In all good faith it is believed this seal fits the GS. It doesn't fit mine.

Moulded into the inside of the crown of the 'Bowler hat' of the seal is a metal ferrule that fits over the end of the plunger/piston. The I/D of the old one is 6mm and slides over the end of the plunger. The new one as supplied has an I/D of 5mm. This will not fit over the end of the plunger on my '75 French GS.

I have a second hand doseur valve about to wing its way to me, but does any sage have a comment?

Short of machining the end of the plunger/piston down, a complete unit is required.

[citronut]

i was not aware of this issue,

is it possible the bonded rubber is stuck around the inside edge of the metal cap/feral creating a smaller hole??????

i would be very suprised if they turned out these with different diameter holes

wonder if one for a XANT would fit,

well i just did an all families search on service citroen with that part No., and these models come up as that part fits

1 document(s) found for XANTIA II
2 document(s) found for BX
1 document(s) found for XM
1 document(s) found for XANTIA
1 document(s) found for XM II

shame it dont go back as far as G's and CX's

regards malcolm