Citroen C5 - Hydractive 3 (information needed)

[LeoBenz]

Hello, everyone.

I have a Citroen C5 with the 1.6 HDI and the Hydractive 3 System.

I bought this car after it was involved in a small accident on the front-right side. Unfortunately, one of the hoses (the one below the pump) was damaged by the accident. Also, I needed to remove the suspension reservoir and the pump in order to make the repairs on that side of the vehicle.

Anyway, I drained and refilled (with new LDS fluid, after the repairs) using the recommended method (even pressurizing the tank with 0.5 bar) and now the suspension system works (car goes up and down, all 4 settings).

However, in my mind there is a strange behavior: when lifting the suspension, the rear lifts up smoothly and in a linear fashion, but when the front rises, it rises very slowly, then makes a sudden and quick rise, also the pump keeps operating some seconds after lifting and I would like to know if that's normal or if there is a problem with the system.
I still haven't driven the car (as there are a few minor body parts that need repair or replacement), so I can't tell if suspension comfort is normal or not.

Also, should the fluid level be checked with the car on the LOW position or with the car on N (Normal) position? It was completely empty and it took 5 liters to reach the recommended fluid level (on the N position), when I set the car to LOW it seems that the fluid is a bit above the correct level, should I syphon some fluid out?

Sorry for the long post, I'm new with these cars and I would like to learn more about this system and hopefully avoid mistakes in the future.

TL:DR: Hydractive 3 rises a bit suddenly on the front, while the back rises smoothly. Is this normal?

[Hell Razor5543]

The LDS reservoir should be checked with the car on its' lowest setting.

Something you might want to try (to see if it frees things off) is a Citrobics session. Basically run the suspension from its' highest to lowest settings and back several times, waiting for a couple of minutes at the highest/lowest points, to allow things to settle down (and for the fluid to stop moving). This can free things up, as well as moving any air in the system back into the reservoir where it can escape.

[GiveMeABreak]

Also, should the fluid level be checked with the car on the LOW position or with the car on N (Normal) position? It was completely empty and it took 5 liters to reach the recommended fluid level (on the N position), when I set the car to LOW it seems that the fluid is a bit above the correct level, should I syphon some fluid out?

The fluid should ideally be checked with the vehicle on the lowest suspension setting and then with the system depressurised. However as not everyone has a diagnostic tool or can manually depressurise it with access, just check it on the lowest level and make sure you do not overfill it.

Level should be between the 'a' & 'b' marks on the lowest setting.

As for the other issues, the pump should not be running continuously at any height setting. It should only occasionally operate to maintain the height after checking.

If it operates more frequently, then you may have a faulty front height corrector or other issues.

Also, make sure you have bled the system:

1. LDS cap off.
2. Start the engine.
3. Setting suspension in high position.
4. Setting suspension in low position.
5. Turn the steering wheel slowly lock to lock (do not hold the steering wheel at the lock limit!).
6. Return steering wheel to centre position.
7. Engine off.
8. Wait for all the bubbles to disappear.
9. Check fluid is between the marks in the procedure.
10 Repeat as necessary.
11. Raise vehicle to normal height.
12. LDS cap back on.