C5 hydraulic tank exploded

[GiveMeABreak]

Cheers James but the logbook is in the car, I know stupid but hey!!

just PM me with your reg, I can get it from that.

[Adam2906]

Hi Marc did you get my pm? Cheers adam

[GiveMeABreak]

No PM Adam. Use the contact next to my avatar on the left and choose send PM from there. That will make sure it gets to me as if you don’t type in the user name exactly right case sensitive it won’t find me.

[Adam2906]

Marc, sent correctly this time, cheers adam

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so I have your VIN Adam.

The part numbers for the tank and capo are:

Hydraulic / Power Steering Tank is 4009V8, priced £46.06 inc. VAT new from Citroen.
The revised tank cap is 4009V9, priced at £19.96 inc. VAT. This newer version should have the small hole in the top to help relieve pressure should your old one not have this.

Do shop about for LDS fluid - prices change daily. Amazon have Total LDS 2 litre packs for 21.50 inc. (£10.75 per litre) with free delivery. GSF are quite expensive on their site at 21.30 per litre! so avoid going there - but on their ebay store it can be bought for £7.88 per litre each when buying 3 or more:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOTAL-LDS-Fl ... :rk:8:pf:0

I'll put the replacement procedure up here for you shortly.

[GiveMeABreak]

Adam, here are the relevant procedures (3), so you can refer to them where needed.

Make sure you have everything to hand before you start as the car will need to be de-pressurised. If you don't have a Lexia Diagnostic kit to de-pressurise the system, then there are bleed screws that allow each axle to be de-pressurised as an alternative. I've put the procedure in two parts - the first is to de-pressurise the system, which also includes the re-pressurising part. So you will have to de-pressurise, remove the tank, then come back to the procedure to re-pressurise.

Read through both procedures first to make sure you are able to do everything needed and have everything to hand. Although the tank has ruptured, there will still be a significant amount of fluid in the system which is under pressure. The power steering uses an electro pump which although operates independently from the suspension hydraulics, it does share the same fluid from the LDS tank! So I would get it towed to wherever you are going to do the work Adam, as you don't want to damage anything driving it.

De-pressurising the Hydraulic System

Recommended tools:
Lexia Diagnostic Tool with Diagbox

Depressurizing the system; Using the diagnostic equipment

• Start the engine.
• Set the height control to the "LOW" position.
• Wait for the vehicle height to be in the required position.
• Stop the engine.
• Connect the tool [1] to the vehicle’s diagnostic socket.
• Switch on the ignition.
• Carry out an global test.

Go into the menu:
Suspension
Depressurising the system

Follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
Wait for the vehicle’s suspension to sink completely.
N.B.: This takes around 3 minutes.

• Switch off the ignition.
• Disconnect the battery.

Depressurizing the system; Without the diagnostic tool

ESSENTIAL: Any LDS fluid recovered must not be re-used.

N.B.: The suspension can be depressurised on each axle individually Collect the LDS fluid so as to keep the working area clean. Respect the environment.

• Disconnect the battery.
• Raise the vehicle and support on axle stands, wheels free.

Depressurising the Front & Rear Axles

Place a hose on the pressure release screw (1). Gradually unscrew the pressure release screw (1). Wait for the pressure in the hydraulic circuit to fall fully.	Place a hose on the pressure release screw (2). Gradually unscrew the pressure release screw (2). Wait for the pressure in the hydraulic circuit to fall fully.

Re-tighten both bleed screws after the system has fully de-pressurised.

Draining / Filling / Bleeding the Hydraulic Suspension Circuit

Circlip Pliers CLIC 4121-T.	Hose Clamps 4153-T.

Draining

• Start the engine.
• Lower the vehicle to the low position.
• Stop the engine.
• Raise the vehicle and support on axle stands, wheels free.

CAUTION: The LDS fluid reservoir is pressurised.

Open the cap of the fluid reservoir LDS.
Remove:

• The front right wheel
• The front right mud guard

Clamp the hose (2); Using tool [2] Clamps. Remove the collar (1); Using tool [1] Circlip Pliers. Uncouple the hose (2) from the LDS fluid reservoir. Drain the LDS fluid reservoir. CAUTION : Recovered LDS fluid must not be reused

Refilling

Couple the hose (2) on the LDS fluid reservoir.
Refit the clip (1).
Remove the tool [2].
Refit:

• The front right mud guard
• The front right wheel
• The vehicle to its wheels

"b" LDS fluid maximum level. "a" LDS fluid minimum level. Fill the LDS fluid reservoir up to the maximum level of LDS fluid "b".

Bleeding

• Apply a pressure of 0,5 bar in the LDS fluid reservoir (using a FACOM 920 tool).
• Start the engine.
• Wait for the vehicle height to stabilise.
• Place the suspension height control in the "HIGH" position.
• Place the suspension height control in the "LOW" position.
• Turn the steering from lock to lock in each direction.
• Stop the engine.
• Check the LDS fluid level.

Checking and Topping up the LDS Fluid

N.B.: Checking of the LDS fluid level is done with the vehicle in the forced low position (hydraulic suspension circuit de-pressurised).

"b" LDS fluid maximum level.
"a" LDS fluid minimum level.
Open the cap (3) of the fluid reservoir LDS.
If necessary add LDS fluid up to the maximum level "b".

CAUTION: A container of LDS fluid that has been opened should be resealed and kept in a clean place. A container of LDS fluid should be used up within two weeks of being opened. After this, any LDS fluid that has not been used must be disposed of.

Removing & Refitting Hydraulic Reservoir

After the Hydraulic System has been drained:
Disconnect the battery.

CAUTION: Recovered LDS fluid must not be reused.

Remove the nuts (1).	Tilt the LDS fluid reservoir onto its side. Uncouple: The pipe (2) The pipe (3) Remove: The LDS fluid reservoir .

Refitting

CAUTION: Replace the "clic" clips that you have removed with new "clic" clips.

Offer up: The LDS fluid reservoir.
Couple up:

• The pipe (3)
• The pipe (2)

Fit the nuts (1); Tighten to 0,5 daN.m.

CAUTION: Use LDS fluid (New).

Fill & Bleed the Hydraulic Circuit (see Procedure above)

Reconnect the battery, following rel;evant part of the Battery Reconnection Procedure.

[Adam2906]

Wow, many thanks for that. I will pass all the info on to the garage, again many thanks to everyone this is what forums are all about and should be like. Cheers I will let you know the outcome

[white exec]

Just an idea for a cautionary wheel-arch sticker...

Click to enlarge

Marc might want to suggest wording changes.

[GiveMeABreak]

Thanks Chris I will change the wording slightly and re-post. Great idea - which I'll move to its own post as a Sticky on the Citroen Forum.

[white exec]

as a Sticky . . .

I'll edit the image with your updated wording.
Will do it as a JPG and a PDF.

[white exec]

A finished version of a couple of labels is here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=62058#p602414

[MikeT]

Duplicate deleted

[MikeT]

I got a pair of part-worns fitted yesterday (local small indie tyre shop) and asked if they're aware of special precautions for my car. Guy in charge said to ask fitter but said if it's like the Range Rover air suspension, they have no issues.

Asked fitter and he says he's not aware of any special procedure and has fitted many hydraulic C5 tyres without a problem. I said, well I just don't want to be stranded here and having to argue the toss with you over repairs but they were adamant it wouldn't be a problem.
I couldn't see the front of the car while waiting but did see they jacked up the offside first without changing the height setting, replaced the tyre, lowered it then did the nearside.
Car seems fine though it had sunk to LOW when I took it away. Does it make a difference if the car height is left at normal setting or if only one side is lifted at a time?

Is there an official document anywhere I can print off?

[GiveMeABreak]

Mike

Here is an extract of one such warning:

If the suspension is raised to HIGH, it also acts as a backup in that the car, when returned to the ground, will have a 'controlled' return to normal suspension height (via the manual electronic control), rather than an uncontrolled return, that causes all the fluid 'sucked' out of the LDS tank under the weight of the wheels hanging, rushing back under the weight of the car returning back into the LDS tank, weakening the LDS tank / risk of bursting at the seam.

Personally I don't care what the fitter says, I always put the suspension on high myself and make sure they do it - if they refuse - I walk. I now buy my own tyres and just get them fitted without any problems at my local ATS - they are aware of the situation, but I make sure they do it. After all it is for my benefit not theirs.

[MikeT]

Thanks Marc. All I have is the handbook which just says raise to high to fit the supplied scissor jack, nothing about the loosening the reservior cap.