C5 Hydraulic Hose Leak Please help.

galonki · Post by **galonki** » 18 Jun 2011, 13:13

Hi guys, once again, my c5 has developed a new fault.

I noticed that in the morning the rear end of the car was completely sinked.

My first thought was that the rear spheres had had it but once unlocked the pump kicked in and the car leveled out.
I started the car and looked underneath the car, around the middle of the car underneath i could see contstant dripping - LDS.
I visited my local mechanic and on the ramp we found the source, it is the small metallic pressurised hydraulic pipe which runs from the LDS tank at the front, along the entire car, around the fuel tank and to the rear.
To be more specific, if looking underneath the car around the middle there is like a a hole near the heat shield through which you can see 4 small pipes, the one leaking from corrosion very near there is the smallest one and the only mettalic one there.

Is anyone here capable of replacing this pipe, or know someone who will do it for a competitive price?

I am in the east london area.

We saw the pipe lose all pressure completely and know the rear end is completely sinked.

PLease helpp....

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 18 Jun 2011, 15:34

Any Citroen specialist in the area could make that repair. The damaged section can be cut out and a new section let in with pipe compression fittings.

galonki · Post by **galonki** » 18 Jun 2011, 16:03

HDI wrote:Any Citroën specialist in the area could make that repair. The damaged section can be cut out and a new section let in with pipe compression fittings.

do you think its possible to use compression fittings, this is a very thin pipe i am talking about, the local mechanic did suggest cutting it out and welding a new piece but another mechanic said it would not hold because its pressurised and thin pipe.

so dont know what to do.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 18 Jun 2011, 19:01

it should be possible to cut and join useing citroen hydraulic couplings/conectotrs,

i have not yet had the pleasure of C5 hydralicary, so not sure what size and type of flaire they use,

but someone must be able to make something up,

regards malcolm

galonki · Post by **galonki** » 18 Jun 2011, 21:38

citronut wrote:it should be possible to cut and join useing Citroën hydraulic couplings/conectotrs,

i have not yet had the pleasure of C5 hydralicary, so not sure what size and type of flaire they use,

but someone must be able to make something up,

regards malcolm

interesting, does citroen sell official hydraulic couplings for such tasks?
i would of thought that they would say you have to replace the whole hydraulic pipe.
does anyone by any chance know the thickness of this small metalic pipe i am reffering to, or even better could point me to coupling which could work. i would really appreciate that.

p.s. if i was to call citroen to enquire about parts what is the proper name for this pipe, as mentioned already it runs from lds tank along the entire car around the fuel tank and to the rear, not sure exactly where it goes at the rear, not sure which one it was on the other side of the fuel tank

.

do these things have part numbers?

cheers, all help appreciated.

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 19 Jun 2011, 12:36

Hi I've repaired burst pipes on a xantia , I bought a flaring tool some pipe and connectors from PLEIADES 01487831239. Just measure the diameter of the pipe and they will supply the size of flaring tool you need . It's not as difficult as you would think . Just make sure it cant fall on top of you !!!!!!

galonki · Post by **galonki** » 24 Jun 2011, 12:32

hi, just an update; problem fixed but had to have the whole pipe replaced could find no one to change just a section of it all said cant do it because pipe had high pressure.

expensive fix.

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 24 Jun 2011, 12:38

Hi I don't know what you paid but the parts to do it yourself would probably cost less than £60.

galonki · Post by **galonki** » 24 Jun 2011, 12:49

john alexander wrote:Hi I don't know what you paid but the parts to do it yourself would probably cost less than £60.

yeah pipe was around £40 but was quoted £££ in labour.
had to drop fuel tank, axle etc.
no way that i could of done it myself, im just good for headbulbs, oil and filters.

i wanted to ask this previously but did not find the right moment so i will now, how do you tell when the spheres have had it and need replacing?
2). how do you tell that the shock absorbers have had it and need replacing?
interested to know so that i can monitor the car because i reckon its only a matter of time and some of the parts are pricey.....

thanks for all of those who contributed.

p.s might be worth mentioning that this is the car which was running on LHM for 2 years lol. Here is my take on it: absolutely no difference to LDS in terms of car performance but maybe just maybe it caused the accelerated wear on one of the hydraulic pressure pipes which i have had to replace. but i dont want to believe this because 2 years ago while car was on LDS it also suffered a burst hydraulic pipe fortunately last time it was easier access.
well anyway im back on LDS now and it feels good to be on the stuff which was designed to be in there.
for those of you who don't remember 2 years ago when i had a burst pipe the mechanics pumped in LHM after the repair and i was stuck with it.

steelcityuk · Post by **steelcityuk** » 24 Jun 2011, 14:46

Are you sure you can get a citroen pipe flaring too for under £60? Even the used ones I've seen (rarely) are expensive.

Steve.

cachaciero · Post by **cachaciero** » 24 Jun 2011, 23:08

Interesting the comments re LHM your experience confirms my belief that LHM would do just fine if LDS not available.

Spheres & shock absorbers are one and the same. The spheres have an inbuilt self destruct mechanism, if they get too soft there is an internal spike which will puncture the diaphragm at which point the suspension will go rock hard.

Changing spheres is not difficult with the exception of the front center regulator sphere on Exclusive trim cars, they simply screw of /on, mind you may need a substantial chain wrench if they are tight.
Spheres available from various factors but they are long lived.

cachaciero