Bleeding activa...

KP · Unread post by KP » 14 Oct 2009, 19:08

Well i now finally have the pipe off...

Both seals at the end are very different.

One seems to be the citroen type.

The other is a normal brake pipe type flare.

Which one is right?? is it possible that both ends should be the same and the problem i have is that the pipe has snapped off in the HP Pump???

Or is this how it is meant to be??? The pipe is about 7mm in size so i guess i need to find somewhere now that makes it up locally as its much larger than normal brake caliper pipes i've seen in the past...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Oct 2009, 21:48

Ask Gareth Will as he has his in bits at the moment and you and he can compare pipes although his being a late S2 may well be different.

The brake-type flare will be at the pump end and the Citroen end from the pressure regulator. There would have been a rubber seal with that end. I'd not think anything had broken. If you can fish out a rubber seal from the pressure regulator, you know that is right.

I'm a little surprised as I thought the majority of modern pressure regulators had brake-type flares for the inlet pipe although I know early ones did have the classic Citroen type. I'm not sure when they cahnged over as my '97 V6 has brake-type flares at both ends of that pipe. I'm not sure what my Activa ('96) has as I've not had reason to remove it and you can't see just by looking...

Yes, not standard at all and you'll have a bit of bother having one made locally in a normal garage/factors.

have you tried Martin (Pleiades)? He should be able to make you one, wind it up and pop it in the post to you...

KP · Unread post by KP » 14 Oct 2009, 22:01

Problem is if its wound up and posted does that not mean it wont fit correctly without me having to try and rebend it without bending tools???

I'll have to dig gareths number out and maybe give him a bell

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Oct 2009, 22:15

KP wrote:Problem is if its wound up and posted does that not mean it wont fit correctly without me having to try and rebend it without bending tools???

If Martin makes it out of Kunifer, it'll straighten out a treat if he rolls it in a biggish loop to start with and you'll find it easy enough to bend it to the shape of the old pipe. No worries there.

Gareth is about now. Try a quick PM..

KP · Unread post by KP » 16 Oct 2009, 15:59

Sorry guys but have been very ill with some bad bug going round and don't feel quite right even now, kidneys still killing for a start never mind the headache and gut ache

Anyway the car has had to be towed away as the new temp tennants next door have kicked up a big fuss and their landlord thinks its some H&S thing that i cant park in front of our grass on the shared driveway that is massive(as you know jim) so its sat at the folks in law who have kindly allowed me to keep it there until its repaired. still no news from citroen on the bolts for the pump or the control arm

may have to get them off a scrapped activa if i can find one....

Ordered new pipe from Plaides, incase anyone needs to know i measured it at 1162mm in length. And it is meant to have normal DOT Flare one end and Citroen at the other end

so fingers crossed it arrives tomorrow, if not next week sometime.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 16 Oct 2009, 17:43

Sorry to hear you've not been well Will

Some people are staggering in their pettyness

Yes, I know precisely where you mean and could not see any problem at all. Down here someone would use that space for a white van

Just makes me realise what a good lot of neighbours I have. Sounds like yours need a lesson in the old principle of live and let live.

Pleased the new pipe is on order. Good old Martin

Unread post by **myglaren** » 16 Oct 2009, 18:15

Get well soon Will!

I agree with you and Jim, the amount of space there is there is amazing.
H&S problem - where would they get that from? Nimbys.

KP · Unread post by KP » 17 Oct 2009, 15:39

No pipe today, i guess it was hoping a bit much that 1st class would get it here on time but it will be sorted out next week im sure

KP · Unread post by KP » 04 Dec 2009, 08:41

Well its been fitted a while and testament to Plaides work is still going strong

Routing isn't perfect as i cant bend it just right but it will do for a long while

On another note....

The HP pump fitted to activas, is there an alterantive pump that is say 5+3 or 4+4 at all as this would make for much stronger suspension response and allow it to settle out more quickly on first startup??

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 04 Dec 2009, 09:16

KP wrote:On another note....

The HP pump fitted to activas, is there an alterantive pump that is say 5+3 or 4+4 at all as this would make for much stronger suspension response and allow it to settle out more quickly on first startup??

I don't think so as the 6 pistons are required for steering, one of the "delights" of Activa ownership, similar to my DS really, sitting there waiting for the suspension to rise

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 04 Dec 2009, 09:42

Agreed! I might look like a right twit, but I just love sitting there while it gets up like a camel.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 04 Dec 2009, 10:59

Did your Activa not come with it's own copy of "War and Peace" Will?

They were standard issue, along with the handbook, to keep you occupied whilst you waited for hydraulic pressure to come up and put the STOP light out.

It still faintly amuses me just how long it takes. Strange as a normal Hydractive gets up to pressure very quickly.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 04 Dec 2009, 11:19

CitroJim wrote:They were standard issue, along with the handbook, to keep you occupied whilst you waited for hydraulic pressure to come up and put the STOP light out.

It still faintly amuses me just how long it takes. Strange as a normal Hydractive gets up to pressure very quickly.

Remember that your "normal" Hydractive Xantia isn't when it comes to pumps as the V6 pump has a higher output than other "normal" Hydractive Xantia's, remember me mentioning some time ago about how much quicker my V6 rises compared with my HDi and TD?

KP · Unread post by KP » 04 Dec 2009, 11:52

2 other thoughts then...

V6 pump onto an Activa??

Electric powered pump so that you could have it powered using the same kick in and out as the electrovalves a bit like a C5 or C6??

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 04 Dec 2009, 12:12

KP wrote:2 other thoughts then...

V6 pump onto an Activa??

Electric powered pump so that you could have it powered using the same kick in and out as the electrovalves a bit like a C5 or C6??

Err not as simple as that as the V6 pump's higher output will blow the seals on the steering rack unless you want to change that (IIRC there's may well be an extra flow control valve there somewhere as well).

Not too sure how LHM and LHS are compatibility wise when it comes to rubber seals.

Its a lot easier being patient or getting out of bed one minute earlier