Xantia LHM leak from front pressure regulator

[Dolmenman]

Hi all,
My partner's daughter (in France) has a '99 Xantia petrol. Think it's 1.8 16 valve engine.
After fixing a leak last year on a Y junction return pipe near the sub-frame, the car has now developed a serious leak from the bottom of the front central accumulator, pressure regulator.
I had taken the skid plate/belly pan off and identified the leak as from the joint between the plastic part with the spigot for the return pipe and the metal body of the regulator.

Since I had to return to Ireland, I told her to take it to a garage over there in Brittany.

It also needs an oil change and filter changed and the rubber dust covers on the steering rack, which have dissolved with the LHM leak. Only one garage would give her a quote, but only for the oil change and replacing the gator's...
almost €700. They won't touch the LHM system..apparently it needs a specialist.

As I'm returning there in July, I've surmised that it is probably the bottom O ring beneath a spring in the plastic part. I've checked and there is no leak from the top pipes and the cylinder part.
It is possible to buy this O ring for a few Euro's https://www.bxparts.eu/en/overhaul-kits ... tiaxm.html

I was wondering, is it possible to replace this without removing the whole accumulator assembly? That is, to depressurise the system, remove the 2 allen keys and return pipe from below the car, and replace the O ring. Maybe it would be possible to replace the cap with a G clamp or something to push the plastic in place and overcome the spring (is it strong?).

I would probably replace the two gator's for the steering as well but think another thread for that.

Anyways, I'd be grateful for any advice as to whether it's possible and any pitfalls I'm likely to encounter.
Thanks in advance

[CitroJim]

I cannot now, for the life of me, recall what's under that Bakelite piece... And in the past, I've been there to resolve the same problem as you have - a massive leak caused by that Bakelite moulding being cracked...

I'd remove the whole pressure regulator - it's not difficult, won't take long and will make the whole job easier with less risk of it going wrong.

[peter306]

Hello, Have a look at the post by Romie, that looks a very strong spring.
"Xantia Pressure Regulator O ring size".
Might be best to google
I think Jim is right, getting that spring back in on the car could be a problem.
I just knew someone with more knowledge than me would be along, just got to wait for Alasdair now

Peter

[Dolmenman]

Thanks for the reply..
I've found an exploded diagram of the regulator..I think part 26 is the O ring

I agree that removing the whole thing would be easier (I think) and less chance of damaging something.
Also, as you say, the bakelite thing could be cracked, in which case I'd have to source a second hand one...there also seems to be three variations of the regulator, so I would need to take it off to see...
I'm just trying to source the parts here before I go, as scrapyards in Brittany are few and the likelihood of finding the piece is low.
It's surprising how few mechanics over there want to take on the activa suspension..

[Dolmenman]

Peter306...yes, I think the spring could be too strong and I would need the whole thing compressed in a vice to get the spring in, so my thoughts are to remove the whole assembly, work on it on a bench...hopefully it's just the O ring.
I'll look at romie's post now

[aerodynamica]

Hi, the spring is quite strong and I've only ever done that in a bench vise. I think the O ring you need is actually number 24 on the drawing above. This plastic spigot used to be metal in older Citroens. In theory it's interchangeable but not sure the spring seat etc inside is the same so maybe not. Only help I can suggest regarding the 3x varieties of the pressure regulator is that the early Xantias have another pipe connected to the regulator casting that replaces the one on the plastic spigot. These are pretty rare now. They still have this plastic fitting though. This variety was also used on the XM. As for the third variety, less sure. It might be the versions that had double springs but I don't know how the main components differ on those examples if at all. I feel that these might have been used on the final years of the Xantia. The double spring set up used another smaller spring sitting within the spring found in the plastic cap. I recall discussion about it suggesting it was to help with long term relaxing of the spring length after high mileage.

I think possible Chevronics UK or CX Basis ( in Germany) might have the O ring you need.

[Dolmenman]

Thanks aerodynamica.
Yes, it was my bad eyesight that thought it was seal 26...24 is the one I will order. I won't be back in France until late July, but intend to order the seals here. I always start with the cheapest/simplest fix before trying other things such as replacing the whole regulator/accumulator. I will remove the whole assembly and try to repair it in a clean enviroment. This is the seal I will order
https://www.bxparts.eu/en/overhaul-kits ... tiaxm.html

[Dolmenman]

Finally got around to doing this...in the end, I sourced a replacement regulator from Spain and had it posted to France. I also posted myself some brake pipe wrenchs from home (N Ireland). Getting the old one off was a real pain with lots of little clamps and inflexible pipes. Got the replacement on and reassembled everything (getting the high pressure pipes threaded was a pain). Started the car and LHM was spewing out of the plastic bit on the bottom of the regulator. It must have had a hairline crack as the package was badly damaged (too late to return it as I'd ordered it a month ago). I took the plastic bit off the old one and managed to refit to the replacement without removing the regulator again. It took me a full day but at least it's not leaking anymore.
However, the car had sprung a new leak from the right rear, since I'd last seen it. It's coming from the subframe where the sphere and damper sits. It looks pretty inaccessible without removing the subframe (I don't have a car lift).
I've also the drivers side steering gator to replace and it looks pretty inaccessible too.
All I can say is that the Xantia wasn't designed with the home mechanic in mind.

[xantia_v6]

If the leak is above the subframe, about 2/3 to the right, it is probably a rubber Y junction in the return line. These are all starting to perish now.
You cam get access (just) by partially lowering the subframe, removing the spare wheel carrier makes it easier to see what you are doing. I am fighting mine right now.

Maybe yours doesn't have this part, as mine is Hydroactive. But I think that it does, as it joins the return lines from the RH ram and the height corrector.

[Dolmenman]

Thanks...is this what you mean?

[Stickyfinger]

That is the type...
Have some rubber return pipe ready as well, these are getting old and cracked now as well

[xantia_v6]

Thanks...is this what you mean?

It is similar, but the ones that I have had to replace sit on top of the subframe and cannot be seen unless you lower it. NOte that there are several variants of the 3-way connector, with different combinations of hole size depending on the hoses connected. The one I am fixing now is a 5-5-4 mm.

[Dolmenman]

Thanks for replies guys.... I'm parked at a supermarket and can see there is a slight drip from both sides and I suspect it is where xantiav6 suggests...I don't know how big a job it is to drop the subframe but I'm reluctant to try it as I have limited tools (here in France) and working conditions are less than ideal (a weed strewn gravel path).
I have a Y piece that I had gotten to repair a leak at the front but my earlier bodge seems to be holding.
At least it isn't leaking from the regulator anymore (it was the double spring type).
I've to replace a headlight on a Pug 205 today but will try to get it (the Xantia) up on blocks tomorrow and see what's going on (tbh I'm wrecked after yesterday's ordeal).

[mickthemaverick]

My mate who used to live in Mallorca had similar working condition issues so we got a couple of 8ft x 4ft sheets of sterling board and put them under the car before starting work. It made for a much cleaner and hence easier working environment!!

[Dolmenman]

I've a piece of old carpet that I brought from Ireland a couple of years back....I'll get a look tomorrow.