Accumulator sphere test

nigel2671 · Post by **nigel2671** » 13 Mar 2006, 07:47

xantia LX TD. Quick accumulator sphere test? can anyone enlighten me.

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 13 Mar 2006, 07:59

Listen to the ticks, opinions vary but if they are only a few seconds apart then it's flat.

Mandrake · Post by **Mandrake** » 13 Mar 2006, 08:16

The pressure regulator ticking frequency is a good test for a Xantia without Hydractive 2.... for those with there are mitigating circumstances which can give a false fail. (Mainly leaky electrovalves)

If you let the car idle at a stable height and listen for the regulator click, time how often it occurs....greater than a minute is excellent, 30 seconds or so is ok, less than 20 seconds is bad.

Another perhaps better test is to let the engine idle and the car lift to normal height, switch off the engine (without climbing in the car) and then immediately sit in the boot. It should make some attempt to lift you up back to normal ride height.

Lifting you back to the normal ride height = excellent, making an attempt to lift you = ok, no lifting at all is bad.

(This test relies on your rear suspension being in good working order, and relatively soft, as it should be)

Regards,
Simon

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 13 Mar 2006, 09:40

being a little naive, my ticks are frequent, what would that mean and what should/could i do about it?

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 13 Mar 2006, 10:05

If by 'frequent' you mean every few seconds then it would be probably best to replace the accumulator sphere.

From the GSF website they are £18.65 +VAT +£4.00 P&P or if you have a store near by it saves you the £4

, the mail order is a very good service I have to say.

The accumulator is at the front, fairly central underneath close the the radiator.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 13 Mar 2006, 13:12

the other way you can test the A/C sphere presure is after running the engine with susp at normal ride hight,switch off the engine and then move the hight lever/switch to the highest position and if the sphere is ok the car will rise slightly,if it dose not rise at all the sphere is cream crackerd
regards malcolm

_kid_ · Post by **_kid_** » 13 Mar 2006, 19:19

there are a couple of other additional ways to check the accumulator sphere:

read the third last post from the following link which will explain the other ways.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... e+changing

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Mar 2006, 08:57

_kid_ wrote:there are a couple of other additional ways to check the accumulator sphere:

read the third last post from the following link which will explain the other ways.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... e+changing

the A/C sphere also dumps it gas into the hydraulic system as it goes flat,so it creates air in the system
regards malcolm