Hello All,
On my sons Xant Mk2, 90 HDi, NON Hydractive,
both rear rams have leaked out at some stage, because the boxes where they live, are covered in LHM.
I have had 7 Bx`s and 3 Xantias. There has never been any sign of a leak in all of them, all ram boxes being totally dry.
I wondered what could have caused BOTH rams to leak. We intend to get replacement rams and spheres this weekend.
Perhaps previous owner had knackered spheres and went over a large bump in road, the downward shock doing the damage.
Any ideas, please.
Will air self bleed after fitting rams. ??
Greg
Rear Suspension Rams/Power Cylinders
Moderator: RichardW
Rear Suspension Rams/Power Cylinders
90 Kawa EN 500 A1- was running---now dead again
04 Kawa GPZ 500 E10 -alive and well.
54 Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamic
Old Xantias- 16v 2litre 1997 VSX, 2 x 1993 TD Lx, S2 SX 1.9TD
Old Bx's--3 x 1.9 D, 1x 1.6 Auto, 1 x 1.9 GTi, 1 x 1.9 TZS
Hi Gregg -
Most common problem is corroded rear cylinders. But defo NOT on a Mk2 Xantia - thats way too early.
Check simple things :
1) tightness of hydraulic (rigid) pipe (do NOT torque the union)
2) tightness of sphere (handtight by 2 hands)
3) sphere seal (MUST be the square section type - not a simple O-ring)
Oddities may be internal leaks in the cylinder (there is a completly normal seal inside the cylinder where-in the piston slides) - but I really doubt it - as this is also unseen on newer units.
If nothing obvious is found - then clean the area best as possible and check the next days to find where the leak starts.
Most common problem is corroded rear cylinders. But defo NOT on a Mk2 Xantia - thats way too early.
Check simple things :
1) tightness of hydraulic (rigid) pipe (do NOT torque the union)
2) tightness of sphere (handtight by 2 hands)
3) sphere seal (MUST be the square section type - not a simple O-ring)
Oddities may be internal leaks in the cylinder (there is a completly normal seal inside the cylinder where-in the piston slides) - but I really doubt it - as this is also unseen on newer units.
If nothing obvious is found - then clean the area best as possible and check the next days to find where the leak starts.
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image
Rear Suspension Rams/Power Cylinders
Hi Anders,
The LHM is leaking back through the return/breather pipe. If you squeeze the bellows, a sound like a straw sucking in an empty glass. All unions are tight, car raises ok, all pressure supply pipes dry.
I just wondered why it was that 2 cylinders/rams could leak on the same car. 7 Bx`s, 3 Xants=20 dry ram boxes. Enter 1 Mk2 Xant with 2 gone wet. A mystery to me.
Thanks for your reply
Greg
The LHM is leaking back through the return/breather pipe. If you squeeze the bellows, a sound like a straw sucking in an empty glass. All unions are tight, car raises ok, all pressure supply pipes dry.
I just wondered why it was that 2 cylinders/rams could leak on the same car. 7 Bx`s, 3 Xants=20 dry ram boxes. Enter 1 Mk2 Xant with 2 gone wet. A mystery to me.
Thanks for your reply
Greg
90 Kawa EN 500 A1- was running---now dead again
04 Kawa GPZ 500 E10 -alive and well.
54 Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamic
Old Xantias- 16v 2litre 1997 VSX, 2 x 1993 TD Lx, S2 SX 1.9TD
Old Bx's--3 x 1.9 D, 1x 1.6 Auto, 1 x 1.9 GTi, 1 x 1.9 TZS
Aha -
So its an internal leak.
Then you should check if it really is the rear cylinders leaking - or something else reverse flowing the leak-off piping system IN-to the cylinder bellows. Thats the plastic pipe rearmost (to rear of car) in the bellows. Check while engine idle & suspension in normal height and loaded. I.e. jack on the rear arm and remove wheel while testing.
I agree its odd that both cylinders should fail.
So its an internal leak.
Then you should check if it really is the rear cylinders leaking - or something else reverse flowing the leak-off piping system IN-to the cylinder bellows. Thats the plastic pipe rearmost (to rear of car) in the bellows. Check while engine idle & suspension in normal height and loaded. I.e. jack on the rear arm and remove wheel while testing.
I agree its odd that both cylinders should fail.
Anders (DK) - '90 BX16Image