LDS Tank Bursting Warning Labels

[Sword2012]

Alas, this happened to me last month when taking my 2009 C5 Tourer to a local garage for a pre-Christmas check

The garage's ramp arms were positioned underneath the sills, allowing the wheels to hang freely. I hadn't raised the suspension, nor removed the reservoir cap, and the tank just blew in situ, covering the engine compartment with LDS fluid, and instantly bottoming the C5. They had a hell of a job getting it off the ramp...

My question now is: Is this a potential DIY job, or must it go into a main dealer?

I was warned at the garage, by a passing Rolls Royce engineer, that old Rollers and Bentleys used the Citroen suspension, and that the suspension spheres are nitrogen-filled - making it an expensive specialist job...

[myglaren]

I was warned at the garage, by a passing Rolls Royce engineer, that old Rollers and Bentleys used the Citroen suspension, and that the suspension spheres are nitrogen-filled - making it an expensive specialist job...

My boss had a Bentley, this was early seventies and it wasn't a new one.
Completely mytsified the Swedish MOT testers, as did the early antilock braking system that used the rear suspension pressure like Citroens.

[GiveMeABreak]

Alas, this happened to me last month when taking my 2009 C5 Tourer to a local garage for a pre-Christmas check

The garage's ramp arms were positioned underneath the sills, allowing the wheels to hang freely. I hadn't raised the suspension, nor removed the reservoir cap, and the tank just blew in situ, covering the engine compartment with LDS fluid, and instantly bottoming the C5. They had a hell of a job getting it off the ramp...

My question now is: Is this a potential DIY job, or must it go into a main dealer?

I was warned at the garage, by a passing Rolls Royce engineer, that old Rollers and Bentleys used the Citroen suspension, and that the suspension spheres are nitrogen-filled - making it an expensive specialist job...

Your Rolls Royce engineer is a bit out of date. The suspension system on the C5s including your MK III X7 is entirely different from the system used in the Rollers.

However, back to the issue, you have probably burst the LDS tank and that has happily deposited LDS over everything. You need of course a new tank, but will need to clean up and check anything else in that area, but I would not run the engine until you have cleaned up ALL the spillage, as LDS will have already no doubt started to run down onto the pump housing and will get into the seams, which will mix with the carbon from the brushes and form a paste, which will lead to a short and blow the fuse which operates the pump. So get any and all spillage cleaned up right away.

If you need the tank part number, let me have your VIN. Please post your VIN in full without spaces - it will be automatically masked from public view after submitting your post & will only be visible to staff.

[Sword2012]

Hi Marc, and thank you very much indeed for the fast response!

My VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

And I'll get started on the cleanup...

[GiveMeABreak]

(1) Power Steering - Suspension LDS Tank, part: 4009V8, £97.09

[Andy_Silk]

At least the original cap has a round rubber flap which acts as a one way valve.
It lets air in, but it does not let air out.
So even in normal usage it creates a constant pressure to the reservoir, when ever suspension is lowered.
Does the modified cap have the same structure/ same rubber flap?

And also, what the actual (-expletive removed-) is the idea behind that "functionality"/ pressure creating one way valve??

I just had reservoir replaced because it was leaking a lot and right side of the engine bay, chassis and inner fender was soaked with oil.

And I also removed that rubber flap from the cap.
Now it does not create any pressure to reservoir.

[GiveMeABreak]

The modified caps have a small hole in - the purpose being if there is a pressure increase from say dropping the car back without lowering it slowly it may help to evacuate pressure rather than split the tank.

But to be honest, I can’t see that helping much!

[Andy_Silk]

There a small hole also in the original cap?
But if you look at the modified cap, does it have a rubber flap inside in the middle of the cap?
That will block the air getting out.
That's the culprit of this s**t.

[GiveMeABreak]

There's a good reason for this - you have the OLD cap!

That one above is the old 4009L6 part reference.

The new one has been redesigned like so:

The new one has part number 4009V9

[Andy_Silk]

So yes, old cap has also a small hole in it.
But does the new cap still have the rubber flap?

[GiveMeABreak]

Can't help you there, as I sold my X7 on a few years ago now, otherwise I would of checked for you.

[Andy_Silk]

Ok, can someone else, who has that updated cap; check if there is still that rubber flap inside the cap?

[GiveMeABreak]

This may confirm - the inside of 4009V9:

... and I though my OCD was bad

[Andy_Silk]

To me it seems that there is still that rubber flap which blocks the passage to bleed hole when there is pressure in the reservoir.
What an absolute idiotic design.

[aspire_helen]

I agree with sticky finger......I always present my tyre fitter with loose wheels. Its not so convenient but it gives me an opportunity to check the 23 year old alloy rims, and their work. Also, I insist on adhesive balance weights. One fitter used a clip-on rim edge weight. When I removed the (front) wheel a few months later the weight had been fouling a brake pipe bracket (properly secured) on the suspension leg.....the clearances are that small.