Suspension fluid reservoir

[Estate87]

Evening all

I brought a 2009 C5 a week ago and when I picked it up the bloke told me he'd topped up the suspension fluid reservoir and it looked like he'd spilt some. I've cleaned the excess off and then today it was pointed out to me by a tyre bay that there was more fluid around where the bottle is.

Is it possible that if the bloke over filled it the fluid is escaping from the cap? Or is it a thing that bottles leak?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[GiveMeABreak]

He's probably over filled it. The LDS fluid level MUST be checked with the suspension set on the LOWEST level and should only be filled to between the 2 small ring marks that you can just see at the bottom of the neck. Overfilling it can lead to a burst tank and worse, the fluid can get into the pump and destroy it rapidly.

[Estate87]

Brilliant thank you for that info Marc. The marks that you mention are down the actual filler neck once you've removed the cap?

I've been told that a machine is needed to properly check the level?

Will the car warn me if the fluid is to low? Forgive me if that's a stupid question. This is my first car with hydro suspension.

Cheers

George

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi George. The hydraulic system can be FULLY depressurised using Diagbox, which is the proprietary diagnostic tool, but that is not really needed to check the level as there is an allowance for this. Overfilling is far more of a problem.

Yes there is a warning if the fluid is too low.


These are the marks I was referring to:

Have a read of this post, which may also provide you valuable information if the car is ever going to be lifted off the ground with the wheels hanging freely (for example when having tyres changed):

https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... hp?t=62058

[Estate87]

Thank you very much again Marc that's very helpful.

[Estate87]

Having read through that post I really bloody hope the tyre bay haven't popped the tank. They've been going for well over 30years so I assumed they knew what they were doing. I might pop back in there tomorrow.

[Hell Razor5543]

Just because a company has been working for a long time does not mean they know everything that could pass their doors. Several years ago I went to get some tyres fitted, and the mechanic did not look happy that I had a Citroen C5. He said that they had problems 'recovering' their jacks from underneath Citroens in the past. I raised the suspension to its' full height and then loosened off the cap. Once they had done the work and dropped her back down she remained at full height (and didn't bottom out, which was what the mechanic had expected would happen). The mechanic was surprised, and said that he would have to remember that trick (and did the next time I called in for tyre work).

[Estate87]

Mmmmm perhaps I need to question their techniques. Although I'm sure it'll feel like I'm questioning their quality. I know for next time when it comes to booking the car in anywhere.

[Estate87]

Out of curiousity if the LDS tank has burst then what sort of cost am I looking at for replacement? Just thinking worst case scenario.

[white exec]

We produced some Warning Labels (with fitters/repairers in mind), which can be placed near the reservoir or elsewhere.
You can download the printable pdf's here...
viewtopic.php?p=602414=LDS+tank+burst#p602414

[GiveMeABreak]

Out of curiousity if the LDS tank has burst then what sort of cost am I looking at for replacement? Just thinking worst case scenario.

It's not so much the tank - it's the damage the LDS does. The reservoir sits on the BHI and pump. If fluid is overspilled at any time it should be cleaned straight away, as if it drips down onto the BHI, it can get into the seam of the unit and penetrate. It then mixes with the carbon brush material and forms a thick sludge / paste that then causes overheating and shorting which blows the main 40/50A fuse and can damage the pump unit. These are expensive to replace.

The tanks are from £60-£80 and the BHI incorporating the pump on a 4 cylinder model is about £1600 plus VAT and fitting, plus LDS fluid that is anything up to £16 a litre!

[Estate87]

Out of curiousity if the LDS tank has burst then what sort of cost am I looking at for replacement? Just thinking worst case scenario.

It's not so much the tank - it's the damage the LDS does. The reservoir sits on the BHI and pump. If fluid is overspilled at any time it should be cleaned straight away, as if it drips down onto the BHI, it can get into the seam of the unit and penetrate. It then mixes with the carbon brush material and forms a thick sludge / paste that then causes overheating and shorting which blows the main 40/50A fuse and can damage the pump unit. These are expensive to replace.

The tanks are from £60-£80 and the BHI incorporating the pump on a 4 cylinder model is about £1600 plus VAT and fitting, plus LDS fluid that is anything up to £16 a litre!

Forgive me but what is the BHI? What is the best stuff to clean the fluid away with? Brake cleaner? I take it the BHI is all to do with the suspension fluid yeah?

Cheers

George

[Paul-R]

... plus LDS fluid that is anything up to £16 a litre!

Flip, that's expensive. For £19.97, you can get 5 litres here -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydraulic-Fl ... Sw9uBamtMX

[GiveMeABreak]

I thought I'd go down the middle, seeing as this one is £38.05 a litre....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164002242646

[Estate87]

I thought I'd go down the middle, seeing as this one is £38.05 a litre....



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164002242646

Christ that's liquid gold surely? How much does the whole suspension system hold?