New Xantia Owner neds a bit of help

daveincornwall · Post by **daveincornwall** » 29 Nov 2005, 16:46

Hi All,

I have just been reading through the forum, and it is all very useful, and have given me a few pointers.

I have a couple of issues though:

1. My front screen washers have stopped working recently. There is plenty of water in the tank, and the rear washer works, but nothing on the front. Is there anything which I can do to resolve this quickly?

2. The Stop light has started to come on, along with the (!) light next to it. After reading the forum, this appears to be the LHM fluid level. What is LHM, and where can I buy it from? Can I get it easily enough from Halfords, or is it more specialist? And where do I top this up? There is a screw cap behind what I think is the LHM fluid level indicator - is it here that I need to fill up?

Im sorry that this sounds a bit thick, but im hoping these are easy issues to solve, and save me paying for a mechanic

Many thanks for your help

Dave

Post by **Peter.N.** » 29 Nov 2005, 17:28

If you can hear the pump running when you press the washers, assuming the reservoir has some water in it, you will probably find that the jets are blocked. Pull a strand of wire from a wire brush, that should be small enough and stiff enough to clear the jet.

The LHM reservoir is the one with the float indicator on it. LHM fluid can be obtained from most garages but the cheapest place is GSF if you have a branch near you. LHM is hydraulic fluid, like thin oil.

splat2 · Post by **splat2** » 29 Nov 2005, 17:31

LHM is a mineral oil coloured green - it's the stuff that makes the suspension, steering and brakes work so it's a good thing to have.

The LHM tank is in the corner of the engine compartment at the corner of the nearside wing and the bulkhead. The 'screw cap' actually just pulls off. If you have the owners' manual it contains a description of how to check the fluid level - basically put the suspension to full height, wait for it to stabilise then the little disc should be between the two marks. If it is below the marks add more LHM.

LHM is available at Halfords and probably most largish car accessory type shops. I think it is usually called LHM+. Check that whatever you're buying states that it is the correct stuff for Citroen suspension.

It's worth checking whether the LHM in the tank is clean before topping it up - it should be bright green.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 29 Nov 2005, 18:57

Surely if the stop light has come on and you are assuming that it needs to be topped up then surely you could have a leak somewhere, though this depends on how long you have had the car. if you have had it a little while and suddenly the light has come on in your ownership then surely there is a leak as LHM doesnt just evaporate, does it?

About 3 weeks ago my light came on first thing in the morning, slightly concerned, raised the car to high and then back to normal, hasnt done it since and tis been 'right as rain', also a few other people have reported the same problem on here just like me.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 29 Nov 2005, 18:59

With the snow you had lately, maybe your screen water pipes have frozen up? Pour some very warm water onto the nozzles, see if that helps.. Any antifreeze in your wipers bottle? You may need some, long term forecast is a colder winter than normal this year.

..

Jshodgson · Post by **Jshodgson** » 29 Nov 2005, 18:59

My washers stopped working then 1 day before the MOT they started again and have worked since!! Typical of my Xantia, a lot of the electrics needs some persuasion to work (a slap on the dash every day to help the dash lights....... a kick on the central console to help the heater lights...etc).

I found the washer motor on mine behind one of the front wheels caked in dirt. It may be worth you jacking the car up and having a look.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 29 Nov 2005, 19:02

I had this on the old old Zx (Reflex) the pump was inside the drivers side wheel arch lining (into the car)....it had died and was quite simple to re-attach one from the scrap yard

splat2 · Post by **splat2** » 30 Nov 2005, 12:52

mezuk04 wrote:Surely if the stop light has come on and you are assuming that it needs to be topped up then surely you could have a leak somewhere, though this depends on how long you have had the car. if you have had it a little while and suddenly the light has come on in your ownership then surely there is a leak as LHM doesnt just evaporate, does it?

No, but as I understand it the spheres hold more and more LHM as they age so the level in the tank does gradually drop.

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 01 Dec 2005, 02:42

splat2 wrote:
mezuk04 wrote:Surely if the stop light has come on and you are assuming that it needs to be topped up then surely you could have a leak somewhere, though this depends on how long you have had the car. if you have had it a little while and suddenly the light has come on in your ownership then surely there is a leak as LHM doesnt just evaporate, does it?
No, but as I understand it the spheres hold more and more LHM as they age so the level in the tank does gradually drop.

Thats true, but as the level test is done with the suspension fully up, the gas in the spheres is compressed down to quite a small volume so the change in reading as the spheres lose their gas is a lot less than it might otherwise be.

This is one of the main reason the test is performed with the suspension right up...

Regards,
Simon