Need a good specialist repairer

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 26 Oct 2008, 16:57

My VSX Estate has a number of minor problems,the most annoying being that air is being drawn into the hydraulics somewhere.I've had a go at doing it myself but with no ramp or pit I'm struggling,and working 6 days a week I don't have much spare time either.Can anyone recommend a reasonable specialist?
I live in North London and don't mind a bit of traveling.
I used to use some people called Citroen mobile based (I think)in Northampton but can't contact them.Anyone help there?
Citrojim are you a professional?

Kind reguards
Paul

Post by **CitroJim** » 26 Oct 2008, 17:07

isisalar wrote: Citrojim are you a professional?

No, just a very absorbing pastime for me Paul...

Sounds like you have a ruptured sphere. What do you feel needs doing?

I can recommend a good Citroen specialist local to me here in Newport though. Depending on what part of North London you're in and M1 permitting, it's not far away. Give Chris a call on 01908 615668. You may have to try a few times as he's a one-man band and if his head is under a bonnet, he'll not answer his phone!

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 26 Oct 2008, 17:59

The spheres can be discounted for now as they are fairly new. It's definately air in the system.I've fitted a replacement clear hose between the resevoir and the pump and can see air bubbles accumulate in it when the engines off and can also see bubbles being drawn from the resevoir when the engines running.Once, the return pipe from the brake pressure regulator(I think) came adrift and all the LHM spraying everywhere obviously sealed the leak because the suspension was then as it should be!!!
Can also see bubbles seeping out if a sphere is removed.
I checked out the price of a replacement hose/pipe with Citroen and it was about £150!!! and I think there's about 6 connections to make.
All the other things are minor mechanical jobs but I don't have the facilities or the time to do myself.
Kind regards
Paul

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 26 Oct 2008, 18:37

Without wishing to state the obvious here but is the LHM level correct? If you're picking up air prior to the reservoir then a split in the hose or a crack in the pickup inside the tank can only be the other causes. As these hoses tend to split at the ends you could effect a repair by finding good end at a breakers then join it to the hose on your car with a plastic joiner. If you want another LHM pickup assembly then I've got one can have for free.

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 26 Oct 2008, 20:50

Thanks for the offer Richard and I may well take you up on it,however the leaks I have found so far have been at the metal to rubber and (I think) rubber to rubber reduction joints.The LHM level is fine.
A small pool of LHM always appears on top of the resevoir around the pick up assembly though.Could this be the problem?Having said that the LHM spraying around the brake pressure regulator curing the problem would indicate otherwise wouldn't you say?Incidentally driving in the wet weather this morning it felt much improved,(The engine undertray is missing) the water probably sealing the leak partially ,like the LHM.I'm pretty certain that it is a split hose somewhere but as I said with no pit or ramp or hoses or time it's difficult. Is the pick up assembly suitable for hydractive?
Many thanks
Paul

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 26 Oct 2008, 21:53

isisalar wrote:A small pool of LHM always appears on top of the reservoir around the pick up assembly though. Could this be the problem? Having said that the LHM spraying around the brake pressure regulator curing the problem would indicate otherwise wouldn't you say? Incidentally driving in the wet weather this morning it felt much improved, (The engine undertray is missing) the water probably sealing the leak partially, like the LHM. I'm pretty certain that it is a split hose somewhere but as I said with no pit or ramp or hoses or time it's difficult. Is the pick up assembly suitable for hydractive?
Many thanks
Paul

A pool of LHM on top of the tank is pretty normal especially if you do some spirited cornering

no problem there apart from the mess.

I am concerned about your description of LHM spraying around, that doesn't sound good at all and may well be the source of your problem, I can't personally see what difference wet weather would make.

The LHM pick up came from a Hydractive Xantia.

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 26 Oct 2008, 22:11

Richard
The LHM spraying around only happened for one day before I re attached the dislodged hose.I think the LHM covering the pipes stopped the air entering the system which explains the temporary improvement, likewise the water this morning.The car is not leaking LHM.
Thanks
Paul

Post by **CitroJim** » 27 Oct 2008, 08:38

Paul, I'm getting confused

What are the symptoms you're experiencing through air getting in the system?

I'm mystified that the brake dosuer valve leakage return hose flying off should have made an improvement. I really cannot see how this could happen as even if the leakage return from this valve was excessive and full of air, the bubbles should settle out in the LHM resevoir and not cause a problem. How airy is the LHM in the clear feed pipe you've fitted?

Like Richard, I too am totally baffled as to why wet weather should bring about an improvement.

I did at one time think that you might have a split mushroom cover on your brake dosuer causing air ingress but if that were the case, it would be leaking LHM into the drivers footwell and you'd be loosing LHM from the rerservoir.

If you look into the LHM reservoir, does the LHM look very, very frothy when the engine is running?

Corner spheres, due to their tiny damper holes (I think), can appear to bubble a little when removed. I've watched perfectly good ones do this on a sphere tester.

I have a feeling we may be chasing a shoal of red herrings here. Give us the full symptoms of the problem(s) and all should then become clear.

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 03 Nov 2008, 21:07

Jim
I have sent you a PM a few minutes hence.
The symptoms are that the car is very harsh over small bumps ie drain covers etc.This is my 3rd Citroen and I know it's not right, far too much lateral stiffness etc.I've not peered into the resevoir but the stuff coming out the spheres is froth.
Kind reguards
Paul

isisalar · Post by **isisalar** » 03 Nov 2008, 21:17

Richard and Jim I've just re read your earlier posts.
The reason I feel the LHM and the water leak temporarily cured the problem is that the air leak was temporarily sealed by the fluids coating the hoses.
Hope that makes sense.
Thanks
Paul

Post by **CitroJim** » 03 Nov 2008, 21:21

Hi Paul,

Sounds like you have hard/soft switching problems by the symptoms. A Lexia sessionon your HA ECU will be the first thing and go from there.

I'll reply to your PM in a bit, watching the Channel 4 documentary on the sinking of the Titanic at the moment. Very intersting stuff. I will always remember what my youngest daughter said many years ago on the subject.

She announced: "The Titanic, daddy, was sunk by an icecube..."

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Need a good specialist repairer

Need a good specialist repairer

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