Xantia Estate LHM leak - steering problem

[NAM]

Hi Chaps

Trust all getting ready for the festive season as I was when the STOP light came on this morning. My trusty MK2 Xantia Estate is currently on a ramp having a leak from the steering area looked at. Some mention of pipes not being available from Citroen (2000 model).

I await with baited breath as I was hoping to keep her going for another 12 months (and had just booked the MOT for 3rd Jan in full confidence of a pass!).

I'll update once I know what the diagnosis is but I just wondered if there is another outlet of said pipes should I need one and main dealer not be able to supply my local Cit specialist. I did have a look and there was a strong drip of the green suff on the front offside - just in from the wheel.

Santa might have to bring a new car on Sunday but I hope he can find a new bit of pipe.

Regards to all
Nigel

[CitroJim]

That won't be a pipe with any luck. The pipe that goes and is allegedly NFP is the one that goes across the nearside wheelarch and off behind the engine..

From yur symptoms and where the leak is it sound like the pinion valve on top of the rack where the steering column joins has sprang a leak.

That's no worries at all. Pleiades can supply a recon one...

If there is a pipe issue then a repair, as long as it's not the rubber section, is quite possible with brazing kit...

[NAM]

Thanks Jim - just realised that I made a mistake on the location of said drip. It is on the front near side so does this means that the pinion valve idea is a no goer?

I should get the news tomorrow so I'll see what they say - hope it can be sorted as the rest of the car is going like a dream!

Nigel

[CitroJim]

Yes, 'fraid so Nigel It'll be the pipe for sure if the drip is on the nearside in front of the wheel...

Still have a natter to Pleiades about it though...

[addo]

Sure it's not the return hose?

As to the feed pipe - I had mine remade by Pirtek (local hose franchise) after the mobile hose repairer's $150 repair failed at short notice. "Repair II" included an inline fitting so the parts could be installed without twisting the flex hose, then the inline fitting was nipped tight. So far, all good.

[citronut]

or if the leak is in the wheel arch behind the wheel i could be a leg/strut leak off pipe, which are avalible from GSF for not a lot of dosh, and a 10 minuite job to fit,

regards malcolm

[NAM]

Not sure which pipe it is but one is coming from Citroen - costs £150 so not cheap but looks like I'm heading for another 12 months of Xant Est motoring -just need to get her through the MOT.........

I'd almost given up and started looking at the new C5 Tourer (which looks good - has anyone tried one out?) but I will put new car ideas on hold.

Thanks for replies - I was ready to start talking to Pleides and others but with Santa on his way I just want it fixed.

[NAM]

Well she is now back on the drive - new Power Steering Pipe fitted (Citroen main stealers had one in stock). Took the garage 4 hours plus quite a bit of LHM so my wallet is suffering but fingers crossed for an MOT pass on Tuesday and another year of trouble free(ish) driving.

I have this ambition of getting to 200K miles on a petrol engine - we are within range now but at present milage it will take another 3-4 years and I don't know if she will last that long (or my wallet is deep enough).

Happy New Year to all - lets hope our cars's behave themselves for a bit.

Nigel

[Carsten S]

I have this ambition of getting to 200K miles on a petrol engine

Well, that should not be a problem at all. Many of the Xantia's i've owned, that must around 20 now, have had between 300.000-400.000 kms in their life, and still goes perfect.

[NAM]

Hi Carsten - thanks for your encouragement! If things go well on Tuesday - MOT day then I will be looking at another year (at least!.