Another suspension pump issue?

[Hell Razor5543]

There was (on Tuesday) a 57 reg C5 VTX+ 2.2l at Wokingham Car Spares. It has the Sport button on the suspension control. More than that I don't know, but I wonder if this would have a compatible pump?

[GiveMeABreak]

No they won't be the same. I checked and MK I & II systems are different.

[KennyW]

Marc,

Apologies I was referring to the HP pump not the BHI.

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

Again, I can't help you with the pump Kenny as they are not separate items and therefore have no PSA part numbers shown. I was just using the complete BHI references as comparison as these are complete with pump.

[KennyW]

Thanks Marc,

[Johnno]

@Kenny, thanks very much for your offer - a pity not compatible. @Hell Razor, good spot and would have been handy as our office is in Reading - not that I go there much these days.

@Marc, understood. I looked at the video you embedded and separation of the units doesn't seem to be an issue. I'm quite happy taking things apart (and sometimes even putting them back together correctly!), so my question is around the electro-mechanical aspects i.e. if I could obtain a second hand BHI unit from a Mk III, it might be possible to overhaul the electric motor and exchange, keeping the original pump and associated control. I appreciate that with no separate part numbers, it isn't possible to be sure about fit, but if the one I'm looking at is the right period I may take the punt as mine might be unrepairable.

As you said in a post in 2018, oh for the days of mechanical pumps and pullies. I could cope with those.

[GiveMeABreak]

There have been a few people I know of that have taken these apart (they do not need stripping down to the detail as in the video) and cleaned them. Have a look at Elis's illustrated post here, where he cleaned his pump out:

viewtopic.php?p=581404

[Hell Razor5543]

No they won't be the same. I checked and MK I & II systems are different.

57 reg is a Mk2.

[Hell Razor5543]

If the C5 in question is an X7 there is also one of those at Wokingham Car Spares, but I have no further information.

[GiveMeABreak]

No they won't be the same. I checked and MK I & II systems are different.

57 reg is a Mk2.

Yes I know that James I meant they are different to the OP's MK III X7.

[citroenguy]

I have not tried it myself yet, but it is said to be only a couple of diffrent pumps. The pump outlets being the main difference, the pump ecu is transferrable.

[GiveMeABreak]

Exactly, and as the MK III has different outlets, it's best to keep the topic on the MK III.

[Johnno]

I've made a start on getting the pump out. I changed the 40amp midi fuse and lowered the rear. Went to jack the car and noticed that the OSF jacking point was bent inwards. Given the very limited clearance it took much grunting, swearing and wishing I was younger, to straighten it. On lifting the OSF the jacking point started to bend again - cue much sweating and trembling. The car is now on stands, albeit not very high. Not having a Lexia, I started depressurising by bleeding the system from underneath. There are two accumulator (if that's what they're still called?) spheres at the rear, with a valve block and bleed nipple connected to them and I took about 1/3 litre out. However, the only extra front sphere I can see is on the NSF down low behind the engine and it looks pretty inaccessible. So, my questions are:

1. Is the front sphere behind the engine the one that needs bleeding?
2. If so, is it only accessible from underneath?
3. If I don't bleed it and decide instead to continue with the pump removal, could I just pop on some eye protection and use some of my scientifically proven ultra-absorbent special material (old underwear) wrapped around the pump and then remove the pipe unions, putting up with the mess?

The LDS reservoir is out and I'd really like to get to the next stage.

[KennyW]

John,

The bleed nipple for the front is on the top of the offside sphere.

Also put your axle stands under the sub-frame where it is attached to the body. The lugs on the sills are only supposed to be used to jack the car for tyre changes using the scissor jack supplied with the car.

Kenny.

[Johnno]

Thanks Kenny, I did wonder if the nipple on the offside was the one. I guess I'm just becoming more cautious in my latter years. The stands are indeed under the main subframe bolts, not the jacking points.