Howdy from the USA!
I'm a mechanic at a vintage car shop, and I am the closest thing we have to a French car specialist. I am currently struggling with a repair on a 1972 DS Citromatic, and hope someone has some ideas.
Car came in due to a mild front end collision. We are currently in the process of repairing and refinishing the right front wing. When delivered, the car would drive, but a broken pipe on the gear selector unit was spraying hydraulic fluid everywhere.
We removed the selector unit, removed the pipe, had the pipe brazed, reassembled the unit, and reinstalled it. Alignment of the shift control rod has been verified with the correct size pin. Brakes and centrifugal regulator have been bled. Car has been raised and lowered via the height control multiple times.
Car will not shift into any gear. Level in the reservoir looks good, air bubbles seem minimal. Pump does seem to be cycling slightly more than I would expect, but it's not awful. I don't see any leaks. Car drove very well before the shunt (I have previously built an A/C system for this car using a trunk unit), and everything seems normal. It just won't engage any gears.
What am I missing?
Need help with a 1972 DS 20 hydraulic fault
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mickthemaverick
- Moderating Team
- Posts: 20194
- Joined: 11 May 2019, 17:56
- x 7810
Re: Need help with a 1972 DS 20 hydraulic fault
You may find these useful if you haven't already seen them? 
http://www.mycitroen.dk/library/ds/red/ ... Course.pdf
https://manualzz.com/doc/24209838/citro ... manual?p=3
http://www.mycitroen.dk/library/ds/red/ ... Course.pdf
https://manualzz.com/doc/24209838/citro ... manual?p=3
I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
I used to ride on two wheels, but now I need all four!
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furriegurrie
- Posts: 192
- Joined: 07 Dec 2012, 15:21
- x 36
Re: Need help with a 1972 DS 20 hydraulic fault
You could also post @ www.citroen-forum.nl
This is a Dutch forum but English won’t be a problem. In my experience there is more DS knowledge there than here. No complaints on the knowledgable people here, just my experience. This place seems the world of knowledge for Xantia and cars of that vintage.
This is a Dutch forum but English won’t be a problem. In my experience there is more DS knowledge there than here. No complaints on the knowledgable people here, just my experience. This place seems the world of knowledge for Xantia and cars of that vintage.
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James_USA
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 19 Jun 2026, 17:01
Re: Need help with a 1972 DS 20 hydraulic fault
Yes, I have gone through those. This isn't my first Citroen hydraulic rodeo, but it's the first time I have had this type of problem.mickthemaverick wrote: 19 Jun 2026, 18:09 You may find these useful if you haven't already seen them?
http://www.mycitroen.dk/library/ds/red/ ... Course.pdf
https://manualzz.com/doc/24209838/citro ... manual?p=3