Xantia sinks after replacing spheres

rpaco · Post by **rpaco** » 12 Oct 2009, 17:50

I replaced 5 of the 6 spheres on my Xantia 1.9TD a few months back, (the accumulator could not be budged and the old one is still in place after a 5 foot leverage failed to move it)

Just recently I notice the car rises both rear (first) and front, when I start the engine, after the car standing overnight, this never used to happen, is this due to the accumulator sphere being knackered, I thought the rear was isolated at the ride height valve.

The regulator which is very near the immovable front sphere always has a drip on the nearside (RHD) end in fact the whole end seems wet, yet the fluid level never drops in the reservoir. Is this a sign that the regulator is leaking pressure and allowing the sinking? If so how do I fix it please.
I notice ticking being mentioned a lot in this thread but being a bit mutton I don't hear any ticking from the driver's seat, do I need to listen at the front of the engine bay? Is it the regulator ticking? If so why does it tick? Surely it should open to release overpressure only, while leaks would reduce pressure.
(I bet it doesn't work like that

)
Many thanks for any wisdom provided.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:11

I've read some replies where chisel and hammer is suggested for a difficult sphere (never tried).
You can hear ticking best standing in front of the engine bay with bonnet up and engine running. It's very distinguishable sound (

I use mobile phone's stopwatch).

rpaco · Post by **rpaco** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:19

Yes thanks, have tried hammer and chisel, I gave up when I reckoned there was a danger of puncturing the sphere, made several good dents though.
To be honest I also tried my SDS electric hammer.

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:30

I have read about hiting the threaded part of the thing the sphere is conected to (can't remember what it's called) useing an alloy bar and a club hammer, it's then suposed to undo no problem, but I'd only try that as a very last resort.

rpaco · Post by **rpaco** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:42

mark21td wrote:I have read about hiting the threaded part of the thing the sphere is conected to (can't remember what it's called) useing an alloy bar and a club hammer, it's then suposed to undo no problem, but I'd only try that as a very last resort.

As far as I know its the gearbox or clutch housing, an aluminum alloy casting and I'm very wary of hitting it, but may try that if I come across an alloy bar to cushion the blow.

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:46

Until recently, I've always managed to change my BX & Xantia spheres using a heavy duty chain wrench and long bar, but gave up with this method when changing accumulator sphere last month.

Having read of it on this forum, I resorted to 1/2" cold chisel (best not too sharp, after making first dent in sphere) and 2 1/2lb lump hammer, making the dent/purchase on widest circumference where there is the metal seam. It took perhaps 10-12 rapid blows before I thought I noticed fractional movement - eventual success. If nothing else, the impact may jar the thread so that you can go back to your original sphere removal tool. One difficulty with the accumulator is the restricted access, which is where the hammer and chisel come in handy.

Good luck - it WILL come off (eventually!)

Edit: I'd be VERY wary of hitting anything else!

Martin

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 12 Oct 2009, 18:48

Found the artical I was on about

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/for ... #pid151258

rpaco · Post by **rpaco** » 12 Oct 2009, 19:02

mark21td wrote:Found the artical I was on about

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/for ... #pid151258

Thanks but this is the front one. Also note the original of that article was in this forum.

rpaco · Post by **rpaco** » 12 Oct 2009, 19:11

Thanks for your suggestions re removing the sphere, but is that the problem? Reminder- car now sinks if left overnight, which has started since I changed the other 5 spheres. Will listen for ticking if not raining tomorrow.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 12 Oct 2009, 20:19

Your car wont be sinking down due to the acc. sphere being flat, its your anti sink which effects if the car settles over night.

Was this the correct sphere for the anti sink?

Must be something to do with that since it started at the time you fitted the new ones.

Post by **myglaren** » 12 Oct 2009, 20:40

Is it not more likely to be the anti-sink valves or a leak in one of the rams?

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 12 Oct 2009, 20:56

Citroenmad wrote:Your car wont be sinking down due to the acc. sphere being flat, its your anti sink which effects if the car settles over night.

Not necessarily true in that prior to the anti-sink valve closing the residual pressure stored within the accumulator helps maintain the ride height until the valve closes.

You mention that the car now rises as soon as the engine is started suggests that the accumulator is flat, this is more than likely due to the pump not needing to build up pressure within the accumulator. You can test the accumulator by running the engine with the car at normal ride height, allowing time for the height to settle then turn off the engine and sit on the rear boot lip. If the accumulator is good the car will rise back to normal ride height after 30 seconds or so, if it doesn't the accumulator is flat.

Whereabouts are you? The forum has several members who have the correct Plieades sphere removal tool who are likely to be a little more confident in various ways of undoing 'difficult' sphere's such as your accumulator.

Post by **KennyW** » 13 Oct 2009, 17:15

When I had a problem in removing accumulator sphere, I took of the Hydraulic pressure regulautor of the car and place the sphere in vice and turned the regulator and it came free fairly easily.

Kenny

Post by **xantia_v6** » 13 Oct 2009, 18:09

You did not say how far the front and rear are dropping overnight. It is normal for the car to rise a bit after starting, to compensate for the drop due to your weight when you got back into the car.

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 13 Oct 2009, 19:48

I have the same problem for about 2-3 months and have written in this forum. Unfortunately not a solution yet but as one of the members (thanks PeterN) have replied this is not a "critical problem". The car rises to normal height but lowers to min overnight

.

Lets hope that someone will come up with an answer. There is no visible green stuff marking under the car

no leaks.