How much LHM?

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

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Supernaut
Posts: 23
Joined: 16 May 2016, 22:34
Location: Aberdeen
My Cars: 2000 W Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi SX
1995 M BMW 316i SE
x 4

How much LHM?

Post by Supernaut »

I'm thinking of cleaning out the filters and putting some new LHM in my Xantia, on the back of c.morewood's advice.
My LHM is going a little bit brown...!

It's a W reg (mk2) Xantia 2.0 HDi, and I have a 4L container of LHM, plus some of a 1L bottle left over. Would this be enough for a system flush, or should I get a wee bit more to be sure?

Thanks in advance.
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: How much LHM?

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

That should be enough. Be careful cleaning out the reservoir and filters. If you want to do a proper flush (and if you can get hold of it) Hydraflush is the right stuff to use, but it is not cheap (or easy to get hold of). You also only use it for 3,000 miles, as it is not as 'greasy' as LHM, so prolonged usage may cause issues. It does clean out the pipework and valves well though.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Supernaut
Posts: 23
Joined: 16 May 2016, 22:34
Location: Aberdeen
My Cars: 2000 W Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi SX
1995 M BMW 316i SE
x 4

Re: How much LHM?

Post by Supernaut »

Yeah, it would be nice to do that, but I don't do mega miles in the car (my commute is 1 mile on a bicycle, so weekends only really), so I think just giving the filters a going over with some brake cleaner and flushing some fresh LHM through should be better than nothing!
beko1987
Posts: 219
Joined: 19 Nov 2012, 13:59
Location: Thame, Oxon
My Cars: 2002 Xsara HDI 110
x 16

Re: How much LHM?

Post by beko1987 »

I managed to get through 6.5l in my xm by doing a flush and refill, and some large brake bleeding.

I love hydra flush, cant wait to get some in my xant next year! I had it in the xm and took 4 months to do 3k, but it came out very manky, and she felt alot better for it afterwards!
1997 Citroen ZX
1997 Citroen XM
1994 Citroen ZX
1997 Citroen Xantia
2005 Renault Laguna
2001 Renault Laguna
2002 Peugeot 406

1997 Citroen ZX
2002 Citroen Xsara
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: How much LHM?

Post by white exec »

The proper name for it Hydraurincage, and it's made by Total.
We have managed to get it reinstated to Total's UK stock system (it was removed, because of low demand, but always listed in a number of other countries).
Citroen counters and others will obtain it quickly. Total UK keep modest stocks.
GSF and Classic Citroen advertise it too.

It's excellent stuff. As stated, run car on it in place of LHM for 3000 miles (5000km). It will slowly loosen up the system, and should improve rise times, steering and brake-release, if the previous fluid was dirty or very old. Clean or renew reservoir filters before refilling with new LHM.

Bleed off and replace with LHM after use, making sure to bleed brakes thoroughly. Rear RH brake will also bleed a large part of the suspension system (on XM, but check others), and expect to bleed off 1-1.5 litres here.

1 x 5L Hydraurincage will do the car once.
Chris
User avatar
xantia_v6
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 9053
Joined: 09 Nov 2005, 22:03
Location: France or NewZealand
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: -
1997 Citroen Xantia V6 (France)
1999 Citroen XM V6 ES9 (France)
2011 Peugeot 308 CC THP 155 (NZ)
1975 Jaguar XJ-S pre-HE (NZ)
x 825

Re: How much LHM?

Post by xantia_v6 »

If you are happy with the way that your hydraulics are operating, then just changing the LHM should be sufficient.
c.morewood
Donor 2023
Posts: 1041
Joined: 05 Nov 2004, 14:38
Location: Kemnay, Nr Aberdeen, United Kingdom
My Cars: '00 Xantia 110 bhp Hdi SX Estate 65K "W"
'99 Xantia 110 bhp Hdi SX Estate 310K SORN "V"
'98 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 150K Sold "T"
x 47

Re: How much LHM?

Post by c.morewood »

if you sign up to GSF's email then once a month you'll get a 45% discount code and the other 3 weeks you'll get a 40 ish% discount. this will drastically reduce the price of Hydrocaurnage. I've just replaced the H. with LHM and it took about 3.5 liters. I sucked all I could out of the LHM reservoir with a syringe and then cleaned the crap out of the bottom with a paper towels. refilled with 4 lit, bled the rear N/S first and took about 1 lit till I got to the LHM. The other corners took about 500ml each and ended up sucking 500ml out of the reservoir again. it only takes about 30-45 mins. You're welcome to come round at the weekend Matt, tho it'll have to be before midday.
Chris
Tesla Model 3 LR DM AWD Blue White
'00 Xant 110HdiSX Est 83K "W"
'99 Xant 110HdiSX Est 320K "V"
'98 Xant 1.9TDSX Est 150K "T"
'97 Xant 1.9TD 20k Est
'94 Fiat TipoTd 40K

'85 BMW K100RT 330K Garaged 26yrs '80 Honda CB250 twin Superdream
User avatar
Supernaut
Posts: 23
Joined: 16 May 2016, 22:34
Location: Aberdeen
My Cars: 2000 W Citroen Xantia 2.0 HDi SX
1995 M BMW 316i SE
x 4

Re: How much LHM?

Post by Supernaut »

Just ordered some Hydraurincage from GSF car parts, taking advantage of the 43% off this weekend.


I recently got a Haynes manual, and it says the LHM system takes 5.8 litres. Hmmm...
I do frequently refer to them as Haynes Books of Lies instead though.
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: How much LHM?

Post by chinkostu »

Supernaut wrote:Just ordered some Hydraurincage from GSF car parts, taking advantage of the 43% off this weekend.


I recently got a Haynes manual, and it says the LHM system takes 5.8 litres. Hmmm...
I do frequently refer to them as Haynes Books of Lies instead though.
I think theres always going to be a bit left in places in the system, such as hanging in return pipes and the like, and feed pipes for the suspension if my image of how the system works is right (as you'll always have LHM leading from the regulator to the height correctors that won't feed back to the res, theres usually some resting in the pump). so i'm guessing if you ran the car with the tank empty you'd eventually have some come back thats been sat in the system (as bad as that would be)

I used about 4 1/2 litres when i was swapping to hydroflush
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
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: How much LHM?

Post by white exec »

That's right - there are both 'dead legs' (non-circulating pipes, brake calipers...) and all the parts it's not practical to drain. If you just drain (syringe out) the reservoir, that's good enough, and 5L of H. will suffice.

H. is also completely compatible with LHM, and has a similar composition, plus a couple of cleaning agents. Similarly, if some of it remains in the system when you return to normal fluid, it doesn't matter.

When you do switch fluids (either way round) just empty the reservoir as much as you can, refill, and bleed off the lurking old fluid at the brake bleed screws. There is a preferred order for doing this (on XM it's RR, RL, FR, FL - and the RR will shift the bulk of old fluid out of the system - expect 1 to 1.5L from here before new fluid comes through).

When bleeding, H and LHM are easily distinguished by their different colours, so it's obvious when the new fluid comes through.

BTW, do not run the engine with the reservoir empty, as you will get copious quantities of air in the system, and have all sorts of problems. Really, don't!
Chris
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: How much LHM?

Post by chinkostu »

Yea I meant to add that!! Air is a nightmare to get out
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