Help! Split hydraulic line

[Mandrake]

Hi Gang,

While refitting the hydraulic tank riser after performing the return line modification I've discovered that the 50mm long joiner from the tank top to the hydraulic pump has split:



Not sure if it was already split (I don't think so) or whether I split it while I was fitting the new jubilee clips, as it is very hard and brittle.

I've made a temporary repair with a piece of garden hose but of course that won't last:



Can anyone help me with where I might find some suitable hydraulic hose, especially on a Saturday as I'm drawing a blank

[citroenxm]

In my Shed no Doubt, but we are probably a million miles away from each other, and Im an Hour away from the shed..

Sorry I cant help more..

[Mandrake]

Thanks, but if its off a scrapped car its probably just as hard and brittle as the original one and will probably split when I tighten the clamp, or not seal properly.

The spigots are fairly flat so shouldn't need a formed pipe, any new hydraulic hose of the right diameter should work. The garden hose is actually a perfect fit and seems to be sealing properly but it won't resist the oil for too long and does soften with engine bay heat.

Shops are all shut now so I'll have to find something in Glasgow through the week as I have a longish trip to make at 3am on Thursday...

[RichardW]

Bad luck Simon. It doesn't show up as a separate part on service.citroen I don't think - presume that is the suction line to the pump?

A bit of fuel hose should do the trick - should be OK if it's good for Diesel. Halfords or other motor factor....

[CitroJim]

I've had one of these split in the past and as you say Richard, they're not available separately...

Fuel line is the stuff. Be careful with anything else as it either hardens to the point of disintegration or is eaten by LHM...

[Mandrake]

So petrol fuel line is ok or just diesel ? The only problem is its a much larger size than a normal fuel line on a car, so I doubt many would stock that size unless they stock sizes for trucks.

I tried a search on Halfords who are about the only place open on Sunday that might have some, but it looks like they hired an idiot to program their search function!

"You entered 'fuel hose' but we searched for reel hose, which found 231 results"

"You entered 'fuel line' but we searched for fuel bike, which found 197 results"

"You entered 'fuel pipe' but we searched for fuel bike, which found 157 results"

Really ? Since when did search engines blatantly replace the words you're searching for to create a nonsense search ?

What I don't understand Jim is why the V6 has this complicated arrangement of a hose with a spigot at each end, then a short joiner section with two hose clips at each end if the pipe - overly complicated and two extra locations to leak air!

Do you happen to know if the joiner section at the pump end is the same size as well ? I've half a mind to replace that as well, however I remember on my previous 2 litre Xantia the spigot on the tank was considerably bigger than the one on the pump, forcing me to use two different size hoses joined in the middle when I replaced the entire hose run...

[CitroJim]

Search engines try to be clever Simon and like all who try to be clever they can fall flat on their face.. Put the initials of my company into a search engine and the top result is First Church of Satan

Maybe they know something us employees don't... We've suspected it for years though...

Sorry, drifted off-topic there

Yes, best to use hose specifically recommended for unleaded as diesel is less demanding.

A good factors is where you need to go, not Halfrauds...

Xac has had good results using silicone hose. I've tested it in a pot of LHM for months and it's OK.. It's as bit thin-walled so you have to take care it doesn't flatten under suction but apart from that, no worries..

The V6 ends are both the same so far as I know. The V6 pump is unique in having a much larger inlet spigot diameter than others.

[citroenxm]

Just to add useless info . For some reason the xm 2.5 also uses this split pipe join method pump and tank ends...

[isisalar]

A visit to your local aquarium or water Garden centre will give you plenty of choice including joiners. May not last forever but I got a couple of years out of a length pump to tank on the old vsx.
Cheers
PaulC

[addo]

It is different sizes at the reservoir end and at the metal barb. I used (from memory) half inch tranny cooler line and jubilee clamps. Transmission fluid lines are equally suitable. Any automotive hose not spec'd for brakes or coolant will be a compatible polymer.

[Old-Guy]

Simon, I had a quick check earlier: the tank header spigot is 13mm (1/2"). I'll have a scrounge for a couple of inches of 1/2" bore fuel hose for you tomorrow; PM me with your address and if I can find some, I'll bung it in the post.

[Mandrake]

Thanks guys, I'm pleased to report that its now sorted.

I paid a visit to lexi and in amongst sitting chatting in beautiful 23 degree sunshine drinking tea we fitted this 13mm ID hydraulic hose:



Seems to be a good fit so I think this should be permanent. After bleeding the system no bubbles at all in the tank when lifting the car up and down so it must be air tight.

[Old-Guy]

Good news!

[Dommo]

For future reference, I bought this hose which fit nicely on both ends, despite there being a difference in diameter at both ends. 2 meters was enough, I had around 10-15cm left over.

http://shop.citroenclassics.co.uk/rubbe ... 1051-p.asp

Postage is a bit steep though, it should be around £5, if it goes to £9 I emailed and asked them to 'check', and they reduced the cost to £5 (still expensive but there you go)

[Mandrake]

Thanks addo and Dommo, one minor correction though - although nearly all other models (including my old petrol 2 litre) have a smaller spigot on the pump than on the tank, (thus need an adaptor if replacing the whole length of hose) as Jim pointed out the V6 hydraulic pump has a much larger spigot that is the same size as the one at the tank, not smaller like the other models. Both ends are 13mm, and both have the same diameter "joiner" hose at the ends. I know because the hose we fitted at the tank end yesterday is what was left of the hose that lexi previously fitted at the pump end.

A standard 13mm ID hose would fit directly onto the spigot at both the pump and the tank end without any joiners or size conversions, however the problem is that the pipe on the V6 is pre-formed with a number of sharp right angle bends that go under the engine top cover! Thanks Citroen...