LHM leak

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
RobCeaseFire
Posts: 16
Joined: 02 Sep 2014, 15:03
Location: Devon
My Cars:

LHM leak

Post by RobCeaseFire »

I thought all my problems were gone, but not the case! I have to top up with LHM every so often. I have heard that this should not be the case. I have realized that on top of the LHM intake and level indicator, there has been a puddle. I wiped it all off and it started getting bigger again. This may be the cause of the leak. Any suggestions as to what this might be, or a fix. I hope that's all it is! 8-)
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: LHM leak

Post by Zelandeth »

First thing to check is that all the return hoses on top of the reservoir are properly seated and that none are missing their hose clips, as they will weep fluid if that's the case. It's also possible that one of the plastic stubs onto which the hose connects has cracked.

There definitely should not be a puddle on top of the tank though! It's possible that just cleaning it up and watching carefully with the engine running will point you towards which hose it's coming from.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
RobCeaseFire
Posts: 16
Joined: 02 Sep 2014, 15:03
Location: Devon
My Cars:

Re: LHM leak

Post by RobCeaseFire »

Thanx Zelandeth, I will check the hoses for cracks etc.
citronut
Posts: 10937
Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 00:46
Location: United Kingdom east sussex
My Cars:
x 92

Re: LHM leak

Post by citronut »

i agree with Zelandeth, most likely cause is a loose or perished/craked return pipe at the tank head,

although you are more likely to see a leak at the return pipes, is put the car on its highest setting and wait for it to pump up to its maximum height,
then move the height lever to the lowest position and switch the engine off,

this should be when you get the most return flow
Regards, malcolm.

current ride a BX 1.7 TZD estate
1986 MK1 BX 1.9na D Auto(in Mothman Andy's stable )
layed up roppy 1.9TD XANT estate, now gone to meet her maker
purple and lilac metalic 2CV(VIOLET)registered to her in doors
1972 DS special been layed up aprox 31 years
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7172
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: LHM leak

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Also of course make sure you're not over filling it, if you do it overflows when the suspension sits down.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
elma
Posts: 3745
Joined: 13 May 2007, 02:17
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Undisclosed
x 287

Re: LHM leak

Post by elma »

Every xantia I've owned has arrived with the same leak. For me its always been the big round seal on the top of the lhm tank. I have one at my parents to do on my car this afternoon. I'll grab the part number off it for you when I get down there. I think it was about £10from Citroen.
Its easy to change, I'll pay it extra attention on my blog tonight for you.
citronut
Posts: 10937
Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 00:46
Location: United Kingdom east sussex
My Cars:
x 92

Re: LHM leak

Post by citronut »

elma wrote:Every xantia I've owned has arrived with the same leak. For me its always been the big round seal on the top of the lhm tank.
this is really a dirt/dust seal to prevent dirt/dust entering the tank,

if the citro blood level is not /tooooo high/over full you should not get fluid coming past this seal,

if you are not sure how to check the citro blood level correctly,
raise the car to its highest position and on level ground, now the yellow disc ( some folks call it orange ) in the sight glass ( not the lower copper one ) should be between the two red lines,, in my experience the float never get stuck up at the top of the sight glass ( only if the tank is way over full ) as some people think it can/does,
Regards, malcolm.

current ride a BX 1.7 TZD estate
1986 MK1 BX 1.9na D Auto(in Mothman Andy's stable )
layed up roppy 1.9TD XANT estate, now gone to meet her maker
purple and lilac metalic 2CV(VIOLET)registered to her in doors
1972 DS special been layed up aprox 31 years
elma
Posts: 3745
Joined: 13 May 2007, 02:17
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Undisclosed
x 287

Re: LHM leak

Post by elma »

citronut wrote:
this is really a dirt/dust seal to prevent dirt/dust entering the tank,

if the citro blood level is not /tooooo high/over full you should not get fluid coming past this seal,
Thats interesting, possibly mine have leaked because of clogged filters then. I didn't realise it was a dust seal.
citronut
Posts: 10937
Joined: 29 Apr 2005, 00:46
Location: United Kingdom east sussex
My Cars:
x 92

Re: LHM leak

Post by citronut »

i cant see why blocked filters should cause this bud
Last edited by citronut on 25 Jan 2015, 14:23, edited 2 times in total.
Regards, malcolm.

current ride a BX 1.7 TZD estate
1986 MK1 BX 1.9na D Auto(in Mothman Andy's stable )
layed up roppy 1.9TD XANT estate, now gone to meet her maker
purple and lilac metalic 2CV(VIOLET)registered to her in doors
1972 DS special been layed up aprox 31 years
User avatar
chinkostu
Posts: 1180
Joined: 24 Sep 2014, 09:41
Location: cheshire
My Cars: N Xantia 1.9TD SX
03 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec
x 30

Re: LHM leak

Post by chinkostu »

Be thankful its easy to get to! Mine had a leak on the PAS return, made a mess over everything underneath! Did however lube the height corrector for me!
Stu

Cars
1995 Xantia 1.9TD SX in (faded) Red
2003 Fiesta 1.4 Zetec in GREEEEEEEN
2001 206 1.9 LX
2001 Saxo VTR
1999 Saxo 1.1 East coast
1999 Punto :oops:
1996 306 1.8 XN Auto :?
1996 Fiesta 1.3 #-o
Post Reply