2 weeks into my ownership of a 1997 R plate TDLX Temptation with 69,000 miles and full service history. a handful of questions.
Is my vintage meant to lower itself on switching off by much. Rear lowers a modest amount and front a fraction. Some early models almost sit on the ground seemingly?
Looking under the bonnet the 2 front spheres both have a sticker from a mobile service saying they have been recharged. Is this a good thing given the age and milege of mine.
Planning the 72K service, the big one! Would you advise the Hydralic suspension fluid which I know needs to be changed at 72K be done by a Citroen specialist or is this general garage stuff?
So many questions
Thanks in advance
Mark W
Xantia novice - questions
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blueboy2001
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Hi Mark
Your car should not sink appreciably unless it is left standing for a very long time (eg weeks). The systems differ slightly between very early cars (pre mid 1994) and later ones such as your own. The later cars have an additional suspension sphere between the rear wheels called an antisink sphere, its purpose being rather obvious by its name - to stop the back sinking. My '93 car doesn't have this, so it is often found sitting on its wheels of a morning - it doesn't bother me really as mine tends to rise quickly. The antisink was apparently introduced for public perception reasons - to make the car seem to behave like a normal sprung car. I'd suggest you get the antisink sphere checked - another common symptom of a shot one is on starting the car the rear drops then rises again to normal height.
Recharging spheres is OK provided they were regassed before they were completely knackered. If the ride is ok, and the corners bounce correctly dont worry, but if you do seek to do anything about them then replace them with new ones.
Changing the hydraulic fluid is a pretty easy task, just make sure you ask the mechanic to clean the return filters when changing the LHM. Its the sort of job I prefer to do myself and ensure its done properly - I don't trust garages much and I'm sure plenty out there would just throw new LHM in without cleaning anything. Watch what they charge for LHM too - I've seen garages charge £7+VAT a litre - its only £2.75 from AS. If I doubt buy your own and leave it in the car. A full change takes 5 Bendix cans, but that leaves almost a full one for topping up.
Your car should not sink appreciably unless it is left standing for a very long time (eg weeks). The systems differ slightly between very early cars (pre mid 1994) and later ones such as your own. The later cars have an additional suspension sphere between the rear wheels called an antisink sphere, its purpose being rather obvious by its name - to stop the back sinking. My '93 car doesn't have this, so it is often found sitting on its wheels of a morning - it doesn't bother me really as mine tends to rise quickly. The antisink was apparently introduced for public perception reasons - to make the car seem to behave like a normal sprung car. I'd suggest you get the antisink sphere checked - another common symptom of a shot one is on starting the car the rear drops then rises again to normal height.
Recharging spheres is OK provided they were regassed before they were completely knackered. If the ride is ok, and the corners bounce correctly dont worry, but if you do seek to do anything about them then replace them with new ones.
Changing the hydraulic fluid is a pretty easy task, just make sure you ask the mechanic to clean the return filters when changing the LHM. Its the sort of job I prefer to do myself and ensure its done properly - I don't trust garages much and I'm sure plenty out there would just throw new LHM in without cleaning anything. Watch what they charge for LHM too - I've seen garages charge £7+VAT a litre - its only £2.75 from AS. If I doubt buy your own and leave it in the car. A full change takes 5 Bendix cans, but that leaves almost a full one for topping up.