Unidentified rear suspension component

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 11 Mar 2009, 19:49

My old Xantia Estate has failed its MOT because of an LHM leak. It's a 2000 SX HDi with standard anti-sink suspension (i.e. a sphere on each corner plus accumulator and anti-sink).

This picture isn't the actual car but you can see the part in question. It's the gold-coloured component below the anti-sink sphere. It is leaking around the black cap at the right hand end.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35073472@N08/3247637549/

What is the component, how much is a new one and is there a way to stop the existing one from leaking?

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 11 Mar 2009, 19:56

Its the anti-sink valve, they can't be repaired and are known to leak, IIRC about £80 new.

Pleiades · Post by **Pleiades** » 11 Mar 2009, 22:01

Hi Richard.

My guess is that it is the little gold coloured bit with the black rubber return pipe coming off it.

The next thing is that your car has the hydractive suspension as the unit that is leaking is the firmness regulator with the rear suspension accumulator attached, and there is another one of these at the front.

Back to the leak !!!
The leak will be the electro valve, this is an electro magnet that is attached to the firmness regulator. This electro valve has to be made from aluminium, the reason is that if made from steel then the electronic magnet inside would not work when energized. Just like on the old caliper to arms problem you have the ally to steel body corrosion problem, now what happens on this valve is that the wall of the "O" ring sealing face corrodes away untill the "O"ring pops out and you discover the "dragons blood" all over the floor.

The only solution is to get another one and the bad news is that the electro valve is about £115.00 + vat
The good news is that it c an be changed without removing the firmness regulator from the car.

In my experience this is a common problem that I get enquirys about at least once per week.

Regards
Martin.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 11 Mar 2009, 22:33

The car doesn't have Hydractive, that was an example picture I found on Flickr. The owner did take his own picture but he hasn't managed to upload it yet. The bit I'm referring to is below the green sphere and next to the exhaust.

Pleiades · Post by **Pleiades** » 11 Mar 2009, 22:53

Hi again Richard.

I could have saved myself a bit of typing by reading the first bit properly

Yes the little ally valve is the anti sink valve, again they are quite a common problem, I have sold 2 of these already this week!

The main problem is that the "O" ring grove in the end is machined wrong at the factory, so they are all on a bit of borrowed time, but failure seems to be luck of the draw, some go early and some carry on holding out for years.

Regards
Martin

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 11 Mar 2009, 23:05

How much do you sell them for?

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 12 Mar 2009, 08:26

quite a while ago i fitted a new seal to a front ati sink capsule on a XANT, i found the end cap had become loos, so i fitted a new seal and tightened the cap up, and it seemed to be fine and did stop the leak,

saying all that i did it in situe so did not inspect the seal seat for any bad machinning/damage

regards malcolm

jonnydrumm1967 · Post by **jonnydrumm1967** » 12 Mar 2009, 08:41

So,can the cap on the end of the anti-sink valve be removed and a new seal be fitted? I presume it's on a screw thread.Citroen will no doubt not sell this O ring but I will be able to source a suitable one.
It's my car that Richard was talking about and just now I'm on a budget!

Any ideas? Thankyou.

Jon.

Post by **RichardW** » 12 Mar 2009, 11:57

No Citroen don't sell the O-ring, but I seem to remember that there is an o-ring available that is the right size (the one for the HP pump perhaps?). Martin may well know, or be able to sell the correct ring. For MOT you MIGHT get away with backing the nut off, winding a few turns of PTFE tape around it and tightening it up again. Doubt it will last long term though!

jonnydrumm1967 · Post by **jonnydrumm1967** » 12 Mar 2009, 17:29

Well,had a look at it today,we screwed the cap off,dug out the old O ring,put a chunkier one in,screwed the cap up and it's been fine! MOT Pass!

Thanks to all,

Jon.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 12 Mar 2009, 17:51

Nice one! Now get it on Autotrader quick!

jonnydrumm1967 · Post by **jonnydrumm1967** » 12 Mar 2009, 17:58

It's sold already.