Hello, I've been replacing all the spheres on my Xantia, after replacing the accumulator sphere the cars went from clicking every 1 to 2 seconds to making a kind of growl, sometimes followed by a click every 20 seconds or so. does anyone know what could be causing this noise? I also noticed after I parked the car and got out, the front dropped instantly and when I restarted it five minutes later the front came up then went down and then back up again, the accumulator sphere was the right one, I checked the part number with a sphere table I've got, could the the new sphere be causing the suspension to go up and down?
Thanks,
Fangy.
noisy accumulator
Moderator: RichardW
noisy accumulator
95 Xantia VSX 1.9td, Fj1100, z-750 hardtail
It sounds a bit like you might have a fault with the Hydractive system at the front - especially the lifting up, falling and lifting symptom.
Does it lift at a normal speed, then drop quite abruptly, then lift at normal speed again ? Thats not uncommon at the rear (mine is doing that again recently, GRRR) but I havn't heard of it happening at the front before.
When you say the car drops when you get out, do you mean it drops just a small amount to correct for the change in weight (which is normal) or drops right down ? (which is not normal)
No comment on the growling noise - seems a bit vauge!
If the regulator cycle time is still only 20 seconds with a new accumulator sphere then there is leakage somewhere in the system. Being a VSX, one of the electrovalves is a possible candidate.
Regards,
Simon
Does it lift at a normal speed, then drop quite abruptly, then lift at normal speed again ? Thats not uncommon at the rear (mine is doing that again recently, GRRR) but I havn't heard of it happening at the front before.
When you say the car drops when you get out, do you mean it drops just a small amount to correct for the change in weight (which is normal) or drops right down ? (which is not normal)
No comment on the growling noise - seems a bit vauge!
If the regulator cycle time is still only 20 seconds with a new accumulator sphere then there is leakage somewhere in the system. Being a VSX, one of the electrovalves is a possible candidate.
Regards,
Simon
Simon
1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White
2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
1997 Xantia S1 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive in Silex Grey
2016 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kWh in White
2011 Peugeot Ion Full Electric in Silver
1977 G Special 1129cc LHD
1978 CX 2400
1997 Xantia S1 2.0i Auto VSX
1998 Xantia S2 3.0 V6 Auto Exclusive
It seems to rise and fall the opposite way, rising quite fast and falling at normal speed, When I get out the car and it drops it isn't by much , so I guess this is normal. The growling noise is hard to describe, it lasts for about a second and happens every 20 seconds or so and every so often it's followed by a click. It seems to be coming from the accumulator because it's quite rhythmical. Is it LHM that leaks from the electrovalves, where abouts on the car are they? I've got a leak from my front strut return pipe (going to fix it tomorrow) could this have anything to do with it?
Thanks for the help,
Fangy.
Thanks for the help,
Fangy.
95 Xantia VSX 1.9td, Fj1100, z-750 hardtail
I think the noise you describe is the pumping process. With a flat accumulator there is no give in the system except metal stretch so the pumping cycle is rapid and short. Its now longer with a good accumulator.
It sounds as though the thing is still cycling too fast which is probably due to wear in the non-return valve under the accumulator sphere. the good news is that this can often be re-seated at no cost. Procedure is remove sphere, remove bolt on accumulator mounting face and collect ball bearing. Stick bearing back in hole and tap it smartly ONCE using a brass punch - and re-assemble.
Must not use a steel punch or you will get a flat on the ball and it will not seal. Must not hit it more than once or you will get overlapping seats- which will not seat.
It sounds as though the thing is still cycling too fast which is probably due to wear in the non-return valve under the accumulator sphere. the good news is that this can often be re-seated at no cost. Procedure is remove sphere, remove bolt on accumulator mounting face and collect ball bearing. Stick bearing back in hole and tap it smartly ONCE using a brass punch - and re-assemble.
Must not use a steel punch or you will get a flat on the ball and it will not seal. Must not hit it more than once or you will get overlapping seats- which will not seat.
jeremy
Thanks for that everyone, I've been spending a bit of money on the car and was a bit worried about this noise. When I got the car the accumulator sphere was flat so I've never heard what it should sound like. I'll invest in a brass punch and re-seat the ball bearing.
Fangy.
Fangy.
95 Xantia VSX 1.9td, Fj1100, z-750 hardtail