Suspension will not rise at all!

Unread post by **co04pow** » 25 May 2010, 00:35

Hi I am looking for some advice if possible. I have a xantia V6 and the
suspension will not rise at all. I had a slight leak from the seal on the HP at the steering output and replaced the o-ring and I also replaced the LHM fluid with hydraurincage flushing fluid. I drove the car that day approximately 40 miles and all felt great. The next day I
headed for work as ususal and the first junction I came to the brakes had little effect and then after hard pushing had some effect. I drove the rest of the way using mainly the hand brake (probably not the best idea). After work heading home the suspension started to play up sinking at the front. When I got home (very slowly) I tried lowering the suspension and I have never been able to get it to rise again! The power steering still works.
After reading this forum it looks like the side of the HP pump that drives the brakes/suspension has gone? I have also ran the car a while then opened the valve on the accumulator and there was no release of pressure. Could it be the accumulator? Can anyone suggest anything I can try or is it just a new pump?
Any help would be great as I have been cycling to work for 3 weeks now. (could be a blessing in disguise!)

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 25 May 2010, 07:12

Maybe its a Scottish thing? See this saga.

Can you tell us exactly what you did to your pump, and which bits you removed before the trouble started?

I am a bit surprised that you did not mention the STOP light being on.

A faulty regulator valve could also cause the symptoms you are seeing (you haven't lost the ball and spring have you?)

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 25 May 2010, 07:37

if the ball and spring/plundger were lost or not in corectly the car would not have appeared to been fine the first day,

but i do agree it must be linked to what you have done,

did some dirt get into the pump whilst appart,

how clean are the fluid and filters in the tank,

is there a crack in the sucktion pick up rubber hose at the pump, this is the pipe between the pump and tank

regards malcolm

Unread post by **co04pow** » 25 May 2010, 14:05

Thanks for the speedy reply!!!!!!!

Ok I removed the 12mm brake pipe style hard pipe on the lefrt of the top of the pump.

Then the if I remember 20mm hex under this and replaced the o-ring that was leaking.

I have been to the car today and removed this again after reading your ball and spring/plundger reply.

The spring has broken! Using a magnetic screw driver I have removed the spring parts, ball and plundger.

I take it the plundger is the bit that looks like a cradle for the ball.

So have I disturbed the ball/plundger and have crushed the spring while tightening down the 20mm hex part!

Is there bits of spring inside the pump!!!!!!

I have phoned Citroen already and they don't list the ball and spring/plundger only the whole pump. Any idea's where I can get one?

As for the STOP light it has never been on ever! What could be the cause of this apart from the light in the dash been blown?

Thanks again for the speedy reply looking forward to more wisdom!

Owen

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 25 May 2010, 20:00

try giveing Martin at Pleiades in Sawtrya call on 01487 831239, as he overhauls citroen components,

regards malcolm

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 25 May 2010, 22:49

The spring is specific to the V6 pump as is the tiny top hat valve for holding the ball.

You would think that a similar spring could be gotten from a specialist supplier of springs somewhere.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 26 May 2010, 08:29

what is the diference between the ball and pludger from a V6 pump to non V6,

regards malcolm

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 26 May 2010, 10:15

citronut wrote:what is the diference between the ball and pludger from a V6 pump to non V6,

regards malcolm

Have a look at the photo half way down this page... Malcolm!

Looks like the V6 has bigger balls...

A Spring Specialist Lexi? Yes, all they'd need is free length, gauge diamater and rate...

I reckon a 1.9T spring should do at a push. At least to get you going again.

Unread post by **co04pow** » 29 May 2010, 13:10

Hi,

I called Martin at Pleiades he was very helpful but does not have any v6 pumps but is sending me a 1.9 TD spring to try.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for the advice.

Unread post by **co04pow** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:19

Hi, Spoke to Martin at paleides and he sent me a spring/plunger/ball for a 1.9TD. I have fitted it all seems well. I have done about 100 miles so far. I will let you know long term results.

Thanks agian for the help

Owen

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:40

Brilliant!

Why is the V6 spring longer then? The cup holding the ball also has holes on the sides.... for more flow presumably?. Mmm.? Only Citroen know these answers

Pleiades · Unread post by **Pleiades** » 02 Jun 2010, 21:39

Hi Owen.

Great to see that all is working fine again.

I dont realy know why the spring is longer on the V6 pump, the stroke length is the same as all other pumps so I guess that the differences will not matter.

As for the holes in the cup bit, this is just a design thing, I guess that one place that makes these bits does it one way and another does it different, as some pumps have one design and some the other, there is no pattern to it.

Regards
Martin.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 02 Jun 2010, 22:58

What a great thread of success...a job well done by all involved