pressure regulator leaking

fridgedoc · Unread post by **fridgedoc** » 27 Feb 2009, 07:54

Hi guys

It's been over a year now since our move to France and thankfully very little problem with my Xantia untill now, it's been using a lot of lhm fluid and as the weather has warmed up I decided it was time to see where the leak was (there was a mark on the floor) a friend kindly let me use his garage as mine is full of boxes we still have not unpacked including my Haynes manual although I don't think it would help much in this situation, the leak is from the end of the pressure regulator which from a search here seems to indicate a new one is needed but the old one could be repaired I have looked at a page on "Citroen BX DIY" which explains how to do it but I cannot grasp how to remove the end that is leaking ( I have removed the regulator from the car) and I have read it over a dozen times, does the bolt that holds the end bracket on also hold the cap on? do I need to slacken the bolt then give the unit a tap? to release the plunger (for want of a better word) and the large spring is behind this? with a seal? and I am guessing this seal/O ring needs replacing, is this seal a special one?

You would think that by being in France with a french car life would be easy, afraid not, parts are bl**dy expensive and hard to get and everything is on back order.

Hope someone can throw some light on my problem.

Many thanks

Stephen

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 27 Feb 2009, 08:10

no the centre bolt on the end is just to hold the mounting bracket,

i have never taken one appart but i belive therte is a circlip which hold the end cap in place,

here is an exploded view from service citroen

http://service.citroen.com/docpr/AC/img ... 916100.jpg

regards malcolm

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 27 Feb 2009, 08:12

Hi Stephen.

The problem is with taking a regulator apart is that the regulator is a precision bit of kit. It is the brain of the hydraulic system and ensures that the hydraulics are running at the correct pressure.

The regulator has a cut in pressure of 145- and a cut out pressure of 175-.

If you take it apart, it needs to be tested when it is put back together, this is the only way to ensure that the regulator will not be running "off pressure"

Now I am not saying that it cant be done as a diy job, but it is a case of guessing that it it correct and most of the time you will get away with it, but if you dont, then something else will fail very soon.

I would say that about 95% of the regulators that we rebuild need to be re-set, as with time, the springs inside weaken and the pressures are way out when we get them.

As said on several posts, I am not trying to sell you parts, it's just that I wouldn't want to talk you into a bucket load of trouble.

Regards
Martin.

fridgedoc · Unread post by **fridgedoc** » 27 Feb 2009, 08:51

Hi
And thank you both for your swift replies.

Malcolm I cannot gain entry to the site, it is asking for a user name and password.

Martin I do fully appreciate what you are saying, I am trying to cover all angles as if a new one is either an arm and a leg or NOT available for 5 weeks I need to sort something pretty quick as my better half needs a vehicle (we live in a small village) and we have an 11 year old who needs transporting to various places, I only got the part off last night so will need to see if it's available today, anyone know what the French word is for pressure regulator

Thanks again

Stephen

fridgedoc · Unread post by **fridgedoc** » 27 Feb 2009, 09:52

Hi Martin

having trouble locating part need your help please, how do I get the regulator apart

Many thanks

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 27 Feb 2009, 10:45

Hi Stephen.

For some reason the Citroen word in English is not pressure regulator, in the manuals it is refered to as a curcuit breaker ? I think that the word has got changed in translation, as we all know a curcuit breaker is more common in electrics rather than hydraulics.

The back end of the regulator does come out and is held in by a snap ring, as others have said, the thread is only there to hold it on the car.

There is a large spring inside that will be trying to push it up all the time and this can also be a problem when putting it back together.

Why have you been told 5 weeks? you could get one sent from the UK on a euro 48hr service.

If you get stuck, we are only at the end of a phone line and do often spend time giving advice for free, also as I have often said before, I am not here to try and flog you something.

Finaly, when was the main accumulator last changed, as the constant cutting in and out will cause the regulator to leak and changing / fixing the regulator and putting a flat main accumulator back on is a bit like mending a puncture, but leaving the nail stuck in the tyre, it will only happen again!
Regards
Martin.

fridgedoc · Unread post by **fridgedoc** » 27 Feb 2009, 21:51

Hi Martin

Thank you for your reply, I am sorry I did not get back to you sooner as I had spoken to the local Citroen dealer just after posting my reply to you and as you stated the word is different "Conjuncteur"
and it's only ......................... €379.34 you could buy a house for that!!! so the only option was to strip it down, clean with petrol soak everything in fluid replace seals and reassemble fitted to car and all OK.

Yes the sphere was changed just over a year ago but the regulator has been leaking for at least that time as well, mind you it was just weeping and lately (2 months) quite a bit but the weather was too cold to get under cars, I'll let you know how it is in a couple of months time.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 28 Feb 2009, 11:24

Hi Stephen.

If the leaking persist, you may have a last option.

The end piece where the monting bolt fits is as mentioned above under tension from the large spring inside.
Also it is fitetd with a large O-ring to seal of the innards against leaking.

The very metyhod used for fitting the regulator using the end piece as a fixing point is the cause itself to leaks, as the bracket can (and mostly will) pull the endpiece sidewards, thusa displacing the O-ring seal a bit. Then it leaks.

Method to cure this is rather simple :
remove the bracket, tap the regulator end piece to re-seat it in the O-ring seal.
Now observe if the mounting bracket needs any minor corrections (bends) not to put any stress on the endpiece, before you refit the bracket.
For the same reason the bracket should have the one hole in large diameter and the mounting bolt consequently a large thick washer, to adjust for corret fitting.

fridgedoc · Unread post by **fridgedoc** » 28 Feb 2009, 12:22

Hi Anders

Thanks for your input, when i striped the regulator down the O ring was flat and hard, the reason why it was leaking, I can see what you mean about the bracket pulling the end sideways, I've had enough playing motor cars over the last couple of days so will check it next week, parked the car in a different place last night after taking it for a run last night, checked this morning and no drips on ground so hopefully it will be OK.

I could not believe the price of the part €100 would have been a fair price, does anyone know the price in the UK or Denmark?

Thanks to all who have helped.

Regards

Stephen

PS. before I have a look does anyone know where my Jumper van is leaking diesel from it is from the rear of the engine somewhere near the injecters cannot see much as it has a plastic cover over the top of the engine, will pull it apart next week as the weather is looking good with my bad circulation it really hurts when I get cold (don't like freezing my nuts off) Thanks S

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 28 Feb 2009, 17:22

The pricetag for this regulator is equivalent to some £300 in DK.

Now try look up the pricetag for a High pressure hydraulic pump for the BX model range ...

£3000 !

yes : 3 thousand pounds ...