Citroen C5 (X7) suspension bottomed out

[nightsmith]

Hi all.

I haven't been able to drive due to illness since February so my poor old C5 has been sat neglected since then. I have just charged the battery, and with some persuasion, the car has started. However, the front suspension is absolutely flat on the floor and won't raise up, and there is faint white smoke coming from behind the offside headlight.
Before mothballing the car I suspected there was an LDS fluid leak - could this have continued leaking to the point of being empty, thus causing the non-raising and white smoke issue?
If so, is it likely that I will need to reprime the system?
Any advice gratefully received.
Thank you.

[myglaren]

Welcome nightsmith

Have you checked the LDS reservoir to see if there is still fluid in there - if you have the translucent one you may be able to see without removing the cap.
If the leak was from or close to the reservoir then LDS could have leaked into the suspension pump and caused a short, resulting in the smoke. Does the pump operate when unlocking or opening a door? If not then a short is likely and the maxi-fuse for the pump blown. The smoke could be from the pump.

While it is unlikely to cause any of the problems mentioned, have you gone through the BSI reset procedure?

[GiveMeABreak]

The smoke may also be from overheating if the electro pump is trying to operate for too long or there is no / lack of LDS fluid.

[nightsmith]

Hi.
Thanks for your replies.
My LDS tank is black so difficult to tell the level, although it certainly is lower than it should be.
Maxi fuse is OK.
Pump is whirring away, but sounding a little rougher than I remember it doing.
I will order a couple of litres of LDS fluid and try again. Will keep you posted.
Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

LDS fluid should be checked only on the lowest suspension setting and should be between the marks shown:

Don't work the pump for too long especially if you suspect the LDS fluid is low - you will cause expensive damage. The pump only operates for a few seconds and only periodically under normal use....

[nightsmith]

Thanks Marc. That's incredibly helpful. The front suspension is definitely at its lowest but the rear hasn't really shifted at all

[GiveMeABreak]

In that case, wait until you have your LDS fluid before doing anything. Make sure you are on level ground, then lower the suspension fully and wait 2 minutes with the engine running, then switch off.

Check the level and only top up to the marks shown - never any more than this, as ideally the hydraulic system should be fully depressurised before checking the levels, so do not be tempted to put more in than shown.

[nightsmith]

So, I have topped up the LDS tank (a full 2 litres - must be quite a catastrophic leak somewhere) but the car doesn't want to move.

The maxi fuse is ok and I can hear the motor running, but it still doesn't want to know. Is it possible that the pump needs priming?

[GiveMeABreak]

If it is that low on fluid, then most likely.

You can use a bicycle pump or similar and use a plastic cap to make a hole, through which you can pump some air in to get it going. It only needs 0.5 bar (7.25 PSI) to start it off.

[nightsmith]

Thanks again Marc. Would I need to do that with the pump running?