LHM Leak
Moderator: RichardW
LHM Leak
i've got a 94 1.9td SX Xantia.
been fine on LHM for about 10-12k (how long i've had the car) but in the first bit of cold weather we had i had a flickering stop light on. Brakes and steering were all fine and it wasnt constant so i put it down to some ice causing the issue. I pulled up and put the suspension into high and checked the level, the float wasnt even moving, way way down. 0.5l of LHM topped it up to where it should be and i've checked it once a day since then (3 days) and the level has dropped about 2mm on the indicator (no warning lights though).
Now all the hydraulics seem to be working fine, when you move the lever from normal to high it pumps straight away, coming down it pauses for about 20 seconds before doing it (presume that's normal). the brakes are fine and so is the steering so i presume that there is a leak on the low pressure side of things. any pointers of common places to look and how to fix this?
Many thanks guys
been fine on LHM for about 10-12k (how long i've had the car) but in the first bit of cold weather we had i had a flickering stop light on. Brakes and steering were all fine and it wasnt constant so i put it down to some ice causing the issue. I pulled up and put the suspension into high and checked the level, the float wasnt even moving, way way down. 0.5l of LHM topped it up to where it should be and i've checked it once a day since then (3 days) and the level has dropped about 2mm on the indicator (no warning lights though).
Now all the hydraulics seem to be working fine, when you move the lever from normal to high it pumps straight away, coming down it pauses for about 20 seconds before doing it (presume that's normal). the brakes are fine and so is the steering so i presume that there is a leak on the low pressure side of things. any pointers of common places to look and how to fix this?
Many thanks guys
In cold weather the volume of oil reduces due to contraction. That can cause a slightly lower reading on the float. Also , the level sensor can flash because the oil is more viscous and the float reacts more slowly.
Unless you can see visible leaks or drips on the drive anywhere I wouldn't worry.
Unless you can see visible leaks or drips on the drive anywhere I wouldn't worry.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
- DickieG
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If the LHM level drops but you can't see any visible signs of leakage then the most logical answer is to suspect a ruptured sphere seal or very low pressure within a sphere allowing the sphere to fill with LHM more than usual, hence the low level in the tank.
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I would be looking under the car for leaks..
can't find any?
have the spheres checked as it sounds like they may be getting a bit flat,
Then there would be relatively more LHM required in the system and less required to pump up the suspension.
This would lead to a low reading on the LHM tank
edit, beaten to that one, agreeing with diagnosis
can't find any?
have the spheres checked as it sounds like they may be getting a bit flat,
Then there would be relatively more LHM required in the system and less required to pump up the suspension.
This would lead to a low reading on the LHM tank
edit, beaten to that one, agreeing with diagnosis
The issue started with the cold weather though.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
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1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm) - x 17
The fact that you've had to put in 0.5L makes it clear that you've got a slight leak somewhere. If it's not dripping onto the ground in your regular parking place, then the leak is probably in the engine bay where the undertray is catching it.
When you get a chance, support the car, whip the undertray off and check for a green oily patch. I wouldn't be surprised if the hydraulic pump is leaking slightly - mine does. I'm not going to worry about it until the leakage gets serious.
I'd suggest that if you actually do the weekly check of coolant, oil, and LHM levels you'll soon know if there's a problem to worry about.
When you get a chance, support the car, whip the undertray off and check for a green oily patch. I wouldn't be surprised if the hydraulic pump is leaking slightly - mine does. I'm not going to worry about it until the leakage gets serious.
I'd suggest that if you actually do the weekly check of coolant, oil, and LHM levels you'll soon know if there's a problem to worry about.
2011 Grand C4 Picasso VTR+ 1.6HDi in Kyanos Blue
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
1995 Xantia Estate SX 1.9TD in Vert Vega "The Green Lady" - after 11 years now owned by XanTom
1998 Xantia 2.1 VXD Estate in Mauritius Blue - R.I.P. (terminal tin-worm)
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None of mine leak, when they do they get fixed! Much cheaper then this LHM thats sooooooooooooooooooo expensive!Peter.N. wrote:
All of mine leak, I just top them up from time to time, much cheaper than trying to find/repair leaks
Peter
Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
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Cheers for the response guys.
yeah there is a petrol looking stain where i park the car. I don't have an undertray on mine (the other SX i have doesnt either... 2 lazy mechanics i suspect then) but the leak is from the front of the car
another thing i've noticed, the suspension seems to be harder now than it was. The front of the car is easy to push down the rear less so, i presume that points to rear spheres needing changing?
yeah there is a petrol looking stain where i park the car. I don't have an undertray on mine (the other SX i have doesnt either... 2 lazy mechanics i suspect then) but the leak is from the front of the car
another thing i've noticed, the suspension seems to be harder now than it was. The front of the car is easy to push down the rear less so, i presume that points to rear spheres needing changing?
Apart from when the pipe bursts on mine there are no leaks at all !! There is just a misting around the pipe connection block on top of the LHM tank.
Now using '00 Xantia LX HDI, pov spec
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
My past Citroens :-
'00 Xantia SX HDI, now dead due to accident
'99 Xantia HDI 110 Exclusive, RIP
'97 Xantia TD SX
'96 Xantia TD LX
'96 ZX TD
'89 BX TD
'88 AX GT
'79 CX2400 Pallas (scrapped )
& a couple of Peugeots !
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Depends what you value your time at Paul A litre of fluid every two or three months only works out at about 50p per week.citroenxm wrote:None of mine leak, when they do they get fixed! Much cheaper then this LHM thats sooooooooooooooooooo expensive!Peter.N. wrote:
All of mine leak, I just top them up from time to time, much cheaper than trying to find/repair leaks
Peter
Paul
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L 94 XM 2.1 TD auto total resto
2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising - x 71