LHM tank level

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peter1138
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LHM tank level

Post by peter1138 »

Looked at my LHM level this morning and it looks suspiciously low, almost empty, but the gauge shows it as high. When I raised the car to full height the gauge went down, so the gauge isn't stuck. I'm sure I remember the actual tank level being higher when I bought the car than it is now. Is it my imagination?
alan s
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Post by alan s »

I stopped taking notice of those silly gauge things years ago when I was sitting on the side of the road one morning at 5am waiting for one of the family to bring me some fresh LHM when the car sat down on me.
Since then I've beed a big believer in the "finger test method."
Set suspension to normal height, remove filler cap from LHM tank, insert index finger, withdraw and inspect; if the nail is covered in a green substance, the level's right.
Always accurate, leaves nothing to chance and the only way it can fail is if you chop your finger off.
Much more reliable and accurate than that yellow disc thing believe me.
Alan S[;)]
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Post by Peter.N. »

My yellow disc indicators have allways worked perfectly, but then that's on XMs - a far superior car! I suppose the real answer is to find the leak.
martyhopkirk

Post by martyhopkirk »

Check the level using the guage when the car is in its "highest" position. Otherwise the Guage will not give a true reading.
The little top hat should be within the two orange bands.
It is posssible you may have a leak somewhere. Top up to the correct level with fresh LHM and have a good look over the system with it running to see if there are any obvious leaks (joints being the obvious place to start).
Are there any other symptoms? Car sinking at the rear when switched off? Firm ride?
Has it ever had new spheres? At this age and milage you will almost certainly be needing new rears, and possibly fronts too.
Remember - NEVER get under a HP citroen without axel stands in place - people have died with cars rapidly desending on them.
peter1138
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Post by peter1138 »

Well, I had the front anti-sink valve replaced a couple of weeks ago. I've not noticed any patches of LHM anywhere but I suppose if there was a small dribble...
peter1138
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Post by peter1138 »

The spheres are original, and I will be changing them at some point as the ride is a little firm now. (Either by myself, if I pluck up the courage, or at a local "specialist")
After the anti-sink valve change the LHM was topped up to be in the markers when the car was at full height (I pestered the mechanic on this, he insisted it should be done when the car is at normal height)
Another thought: is it possible that air got into the system at that time and has now bled out?
adzbaby
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Post by adzbaby »

Does anyone know the LHM capacity of the Xantia? Mine is now a brown colour (don't think it has ever been changed!!!) and I want to order some hydraflush and LHM.
Also How long should you have the hydraflsuh in the tank for? Can you drive the car about with the hydraflush for a while?
martyhopkirk

Post by martyhopkirk »

I think the Xantia Tank cap is about 4L - buy a 5L tub of hydraflush and leave it in for 1500 miles.
Clean the filters before putting it in, and again afterwards when you refil with LHM. Allow an extra 500ml - 1L when refilling with new LHM to bleed through the brakes.
citronut
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Post by citronut »

firstly i have work on citroens forquite a few years now and never seen or had any prob with level indicator,it is only a plastic float with a stem moulded in one pice on top this is sliding up and down in a plastic tube,the stem has a coper disc near the top which shorts across terminals in bottom of clear domwhen fluid is low,above coper disc there is a yellow plastic disc which when car is at highes pos on level ground should be between red bands on clear dome, this is the only way to acuratly check fluid level.I would sudgegst the garage telling youto carry out this check at normal hight dose not know what they are doing on citroens regards malcolm
peter1138
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Post by peter1138 »

Yup Malcolm, I won't be using them again. They were, however, close to where I work and did get the anti-sink valve replaced. Next time I have a problem I will be going to the self-proclaimed local specialists instead (though they may not be any better...)
citronut
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Post by citronut »

be carefull of people blowing there own trumpet or is that bafoon sorry basoon
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Post by peter1138 »

I don't know of any other way of finding people who'll touch Citroens, unless anyone here has recommendations for mid-Buckinghamshire...
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