Can`t get it up

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:26

The pressure on my V6 xantia. Can`t raise it. Having drained LHM tank and renewed a washer on pump my pressure won`t build. Have disconnected main feed and filled the hose 3 or 4 times lifting it as high as it will physically go.

Also opened and closed de -pressure bolt on regulator I don`t know how many times while reving gently. I just cannot get that regulator to tick.

When I did the work I left the car on high and it should have been low . Light on dash will not go out and car is rock solid on high. Checked for air bubbles on hose connections each end with a spray and can see no sign of that.

Wonder if I have missed something at HP pump while re-connecting? The spring that is in behind that larger bolt/union with the o ring? What purpose does that serve? I wondered if there should be a ball valve under it? I didn`t see one in the drawing. I tried opening a brake bleed valve but struggled to get any fluid out of it.

Anything I`ve missed ? pump was ok beforehand.......that`s the usual warcry aint it?

Oh and the power steering can be worked although I didn`t go mad on it as it was making more noise that usual.

deian · Unread post by **deian** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:31

i take it you have the lever on low now to get everything back to low and re-depressurised... and then you tried to make it go to normal height to build up the pressure again?

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:34

To prime the Pump you need the regulator open...

Try filling the Pump feed pipe to the top then reconnect it back on the LHM tank, THEN start the car WITH the regulator screw undone...

Let it run a moment or two, if its priming the system you should see bubbles / air in the tank as it circulates around the system..

Obviously on the V6 the pump is a little out the way, but you can tell if its drawing fluid as the pump will make a form of quiet ticking noise, heard through a screw driver... if its not ticking its not drawing..

Paul

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:35

Yeah on low now. Suggest a new sequence for me and I will go try again.

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:36

deian wrote:i take it you have the lever on low now to get everything back to low and re-depressurised... and then you tried to make it go to normal height to build up the pressure again?

Untill theres system pressure it doesn't matter were the lever is... as the anti sink will hold it up...

Paul

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:39

I did that one Paul but will try it again. Have jiggled pipe and even blew down with fluid in it...YUCH! What about airline? Just to reiterate Paul... the pump feed is the one running across rocker cover? I even primed the other hose as well.

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:43

No.. leave the regulator open, just keep topping the feed pipe up, but be sure to put it back onto the tank before starting the car... is there pleanty of fluid in the tank?

PAul

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 13:45

30 mm from top Paul on high.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 14:57

Tried it again even put pressure on it with airline then topped hose right up. Started with reg open revved to 2500 ....nothing. I will try with an assistant in car. They can rev a little while I open and close reg bolt at intervals.

Keep any suggestions coming.........I`ll even tow the car to altitude if it will make any difference

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 30 Dec 2009, 15:01

Lexi,

Theres NO NEED to be opening and closing the Regulator!

The pump once primed WILL still suck the LHM and push it through the system.. and you'll know when the pump is drawing as its sound will change slightly.... so leave the regulator open while your trying to get her primed..

In honesty, if the car was a 4 cylinder unit, you could remove the aux belt and the HP Pump will even prime BY HAND!! But of course, on the V6 thats not as easyilly done..

Paul

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 15:05

Ok Paul. I seen a mention doing it on one of the fixes on the site.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 15:56

Too cold now. Horrible east wind. Plan for tomorrow. Take hose off tank and make up a little remote reservoir from my Easibleed kit . Raise this up high. Start up engine and see if it starts drawing the fluid in new reservoir. When/ if it does, turn off engine and finger over hose and make connection to Lhm tank.

Worth a try?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Dec 2009, 17:37

How very odd Lexi

I've never had a problem and I've now primed several dry V6 pumps just by slipping ooff the suction hose from the reservoir, filling the pipe up with a funnel until I make a mess, quickly slipping the pipe back on and away it goes.

Always on low though and with the bleed valve closed. In all cases, the inlet pipe to the pressure regulator has always been previously disconnected beforehand so maybe what you have is an air lock in the system although it is hard to see how.

Try, if all else fails, disconnecting the inlet pipe (just slacken it nearly right off) and try refilling the suction pipe. LHM should soon dribble from the pressure regulator inlet pipe and then you know the pump is primed and all should be well.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 30 Dec 2009, 18:35

When my pump went duff it wouldn't suck properly so what I did to prime it was use a foot pump and a damp rag in the filler hole of the LHM header tank and pressurised the tank slightly, just enough to make it bulge a bit and with the engine running, generally worked until the pump packed up completely

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 30 Dec 2009, 22:06

Thanks Stempy
That actually crossed my mind as I have done similar with petrol tanks when having lift pump issues to show up air leaks. I am also considering that the pump could have gone south. I have an air line which will help. If I put that airline into hose that feeds the pump.....with reg screw undone half a turn would we hear air escape at regulator?

If not we will hear it when I do as Jim suggests and loosen the feed pipe into regulator and then blow through?