Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

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pete the bus
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Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by pete the bus »

Hi all.
This is following on from my recent posts about the clutch problem I was having.
While at the garage having a new clutch fitted - a job they said was a nightmare- it seems a pipe has split and is leaking LHM.
I think I've identified the pipe but I can't work out where it comes or goes to. I think it goes to the front height corrector but I can't be sure. I'm hoping someone here can help me out and suggest possible repairs/replacement.
I managed to get a picture - I think the leaking pipe is the one on the right of the three together just above the plastic? guide piece. You can see it looks corroded and has a small piece of metal flaking off it.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Peter
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by Simple76 »

I get my pipes made up from a Citroen hydraulic specialist They are called Pleiades in Cambridgeshire
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by xantia_v6 »

Can you get a shot from further out (or a description) so that we know where it is?
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by davoxx »

if it's the thin pipe and if there is enough space you can use this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282782111640

:!: Moderator comment:
See important note below about using these compression fittings
why?
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by pete the bus »

xantia_v6 wrote: 05 Oct 2018, 17:25 Can you get a shot from further out (or a description) so that we know where it is?


It's taken from just inside the nearside front wheel looking upwards towards the centre of the bulkhead.
I'll try and get a wider shot tomorrow (weather permitting - it's forecast to be wet and chilly).
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by xantia_v6 »

I think I know where it is now, and access should be easier from above with the LHM tank removed.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by Skull »

It may be that the metal pipe goes into a rubber hose that has either split where it bends further up or maybe just the locking clip seems to be missing in the photo where I would expect to see one :?:

I had a similar pipe go when I done my gearbox (mine was perished rubber return hose - low pressure)

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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by moizeau »

If it leaks like a drip, it's a return hose, you'll lose fluid but possibly not that much, keep a litre in the car. If it squirts, don't drive it. When my low level warning light comes on, flickering round corners, I carry on driving it until it stays on. It tells me if the small leaks that I know about have got worse.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by white exec »

If it's just a black plastic or clear nylon pipe that's given way, you won't need a compression joint to fix it - just a short piece of rubber hose of small bore. As said, all return pipes are low pressure.
Compression joints (with olives) can work on rigid metal pipework, but not on plastic, as the pipe gives way before the olive compresses - but note the comment below.

Important:
Please also note that these compression fittings are NOT suitable for use on the high-pressure hydraulic lines on Citroen suspension, braking and steering systems. They are rated at much lower pressures than found on the cars (up to 170 bar, 2460 psi), and if found on a vehicle will cause an MoT failure.
The proper Citroen metal pipe "olives" are an integral part of the steel pipework, and not compression items. Under high pressure, pipes held in compression olives, especially brass ones, can pull out, which is why their use is not safe.
Damaged HP pipework must be replaced and not patched.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by CitroenCrazy »

Just to echo an earlier comment, getting new pipes made up is dead easy. Pleides will do it for you, they'll just need to know the length. I'm sure there are people on this forum, myself included, who can do the same.
The key thing is access to both ends to do the replacement.
I too have a Xantia Exclusive estate, which sprang a leak a couple of years ago. The difficulty with Exclusive cars is they have Hydractive; ie 3 spheres per axle, which means more pipework than other models, plus all the "good" spaces under the bonnet are already in use, so the Hydractive bits get shoved into inacesssible corners. Still, with tenacity, everything is possible ! Mine certainly lives on, with a healthy 262,000 miles on the clock now.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by pete the bus »

Thanks for all the replies and useful comments, I'd never have the confidence to take on most of the problems that various Xantias over the years have given me without the help of this forum.
I've removed the reservoir and think I've identified the pipe. It runs from one of the multiple connectors from the reservoir via a short rubber hose, then into a (3.5mm?) metal pipe, and down into the front height corrector.
The leak itself is a constant drip. I've already put 2-3 litres of LHM in the tank since last week so I'd like to get it sorted asap rather than keep topping it up. At £5/litre it would soon mount up!
From what you guys have said it sounds like it's a low pressure return pipe. Can I just remove the pipe and cut the split part out and use a short piece of rubber pipe to rejoin it?
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by moizeau »

In a nutshell yes, you may have enough existing pipe to be able to cut the damaged bit out, then reconnect.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by pete the bus »

Before I start removing things can anyone confirm that the suspect pipe is indeed a return line to the tank?
It is the right hand one of the two shown in the photo I took earlier.
A diagram of the height corrector plumbing would also be useful.
IMG_20181006_125736.jpg
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by moizeau »

If the metal pipe is a push fit with no clamps on to a small rubber pipe then yes, it's a low pressure return. Someone will confirm the specifics on the Xantia shortly.
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Re: Xantia Exclusive HDI 110 leaking LHM from pipe behind engine

Post by CitroenCrazy »

Try the attached - best I can do; hope it helps
Attachments
Xantia front suspension piping.gif
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