First Check for the Source of the Leaks

John Plum · Post by **John Plum** » 02 Jun 2011, 16:25

I'm giving you a load of words, some poor excuses; for no new information, but to re-iterate: just get down to it and make the proper checks and identify the source of the leak in a thorough way, by cleaning up properly, and going in with a torch - a mirror if needed. Be sure. Doesn't matter if you don't know the system inside out. You can do that ID any way, first.

All is well. But I worried unnecessarily. For 18 months I've been running my Xantia, after a through overhaul since buying it 3rd owner, which I documented here somewhere, and got the benefit of indispensible help from this forum's members.

Overall it's been OK. Though handy with a spanner, and familiar with Citroens through my previous car, a BX, It's still a lot to consider when taking over a car that is not in tip top condition - people let them run down before they get rid of them. So I want to let things rest a while, and niggles then get to bother me while I have other things to do. I begin to see the car as an ordeal... not straightforward. I did very little more to her. Had to change the auto gearbox oil, that''s all, and refill the LHM after doing an internal clean.

Some time ago ( about 8 months ago) after loud bang from the rear on the motorway going over bumps in a rough 'in preparation' road, the car seemed to develop a seepage in around the rear central sphere. I couldn't deal with it then, and observed. I've had an awful lot on my plate, you see.

But of course, I had to get down eventually to brass tacks - simple things. I had to clean it up, observe and identify the leak. I didn't do that properly; It seemed to be coming from the central sphere itself, though I wasn't sure. The LHM moves around all over the place to give possible false indications.

260 miles away from home at 6pm it started dripping fast when pressurized, still or moving. I managed to get 2 litres of LHM and sped home for four hours - there were two diversions, and A roads to cover ( Christchurch Dorset to Liverpool). Lost a litre or so.

Thanks to this post, I got the information lined up: I feared the worst a electro-valve seals.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... ctive+leak

But actually, at the rear they're unlike the front on my Xantia, or those in the pictured in that post cited, so far as I can see. Confusing!

Pulling the fuse for hydractive system did not stop the leak (a great tip), so I TOOK A PROPER LOOK and identified the source: it was the rear pipe going in to the central sphere, that's all. It only needed tightening (I have a spare seal with me in case). It seemed well loose; as if, since fitting a new sphere, it needed re-tightening. More likely the thread was 'catching a bit', and I missed that, not wanting to over-tighten. Also, I had done so much in a short space of time. Who bothers re-tightening pipe seals after a week or so?

Thanks to all you good folk.
John

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 02 Jun 2011, 16:38

glad its sorted John.. often the things you dread and put up with, are not the nightmares you imagined...

(I usualy then kick myself for not sorting them sooner)

john

John Plum · Post by **John Plum** » 02 Jun 2011, 23:45

Yeah thanks, Blimey! that post was badly written - how did you manage to make sense of it? had to re-edit it.

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 03 Jun 2011, 00:59

Ah yes, a collection of nuggets of thoughts

Its always good when it turns out not to be a major showstopper!