Rear will not rise - SOLVED!!!!!!!! at last....

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alan s
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Post by alan s »

It sounds like a one step forward, two steps back kind of job.
For starters, when did you last change the LHM & clean the filters? Also what condition is the LHM in? Dirt in the system can stuff things up as fast as you can change them, hence it is possible that if the original H/C was full of muck that the new one could be also.
Before we go down that track; have you checked the rear arms for tighteness? It is possible that the bearings in the rear arms could be seized. I would suggest getting the car over a pit & operating the H/c manually from below to see what happens. Then I would try bleeding the high pressure lines (the steel ones) to check for air in the system both at suspension & brakes & see what that does. The lack of hissing at the pressure regulator bleeder is due to the lack of fluid returning to the tank so you will find once this problem is solved, that will automatically begin to happen again. Air in any pressure system will stop it as effectively as welding the end on the pipe. Crap in the system will prevent the fluid from circulating also.
The LHM should be a bright green & I suggest you look on this forum under "common problems" for a comparison on new & old LHM as a guide to its condition.
Alan S
alan s
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Post by alan s »

AS A PS TO THE ABOVE MESSAGE!!
Check that the control arms to the height corrector aren't seized or bent also. <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
Alan S
NiSk
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Post by NiSk »

Just been back and checked your original question - one thing stuck out - anti-sink! Have you by chance checked the condition of the anti-sink sphere?? I've no idea how it is coupled hydraulically, but I'm sure a duff one could create all end of trouble.
//NiSk
tranquility786
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Post by tranquility786 »

I took it to a local garage who checked the linkages/plastic clip and tried to move the height correctore manually - but no luck. He suggested that it isn't the height corrector as otherwise the front should still rise and fall. He suggested that it may be the a blockage/fault with the pressure regulator... I gave up and rang citroen who happened to be fully booked for the next 8 days... which means I have to continue to try and resolve this problem with your help for now...
Taz
alan s
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Post by alan s »

Taz,
The front is operating normally isn't it? What happens when you adjust the suspension height? Does the front rise even a bit? If the rear is not rising at all this will limit the amount of travel on the front, this is why all hydraulic Cits come up in stages. Which is why I still tend to go for the rear h/c.
If all else fails, here's a company who specialise in these things possibly a better avenue to the main Cit dealer.
http://www.pleiades.uk.com/
They also have a few clues on their website but I've had some good reports on these guys from both here in Oz & from over your way.
Alan S
tranquility786
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Post by tranquility786 »

The front does not respond in anyway at all - neither up nor down...
Taz
jonnyboy
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Post by jonnyboy »

When the rear height corrector was changed, were the high pressure pipes refitted in the correct positions. looking from the rear of the car, the high pressure out pipe is the one to the right hand rear (towards the engine) & is the pipe which travells upwards away from the h/c accross the cross member & down through the trunking under the car to the engine bay. The high pressure in should be routed from under the h/c to the union nearest the tailgate.
Were new rubber seals fitted on renewal ? (not supplied with h/c) if not the pipes can be driven too far into the h/c causing the union to close the pipe.
*** Check filters in LHM tank particularly the smaller cylinder one which filters the return fluid ***
tranquility786
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Post by tranquility786 »

You will be pleased to know that my problem has finally been fixed. The centre accumulator sphere diaphragm had burst and the security valve kicked in. Hence the lhm was not flowing past the SV. I changed the sphere first, then the pump and then the regulator valve. The car would not rise and the SV would not disengage. Finally when I replaced the SV then the car came back to life. Thank You to Dave who infact diagnosed it right the very first day and has been most helpful throughout. Also thank you to Alan and all those who took time to respond and help me in my time of need.
Taz
alan s
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Post by alan s »

Taz,
Great to see you got it sorted. Who said Citroen hydraulics were hard to fix? <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>Might be a good one to get put across into the common problems section of the forum.
It was a tricky and unusual one but probably be nice to have it handy for future reference in a more accessible archive like "common problems"
Waddya reckon Jon W??
andyturner
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Post by andyturner »

Please could you tell me where the security valve is cost to replace etc. I think mine is may be sticking or partially sticking. You may have seen my messages about hard ride with new spheres.
apt
andyturner
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Post by andyturner »

Please could you tell me where the security valve is cost to replace etc. I think mine is may be sticking or partially sticking. You may have seen my messages about hard ride with new spheres.
apt
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