Xantia not sinking

Post by **froggy** » 05 Jul 2011, 15:12

Hi, normally when I switch off my 1997 Xantia, the rear end drops down. Today it is staying up . Is it the anti - sink rear sphere at fault ? any advice greatfully received, cheers Terry.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 05 Jul 2011, 15:34

Hi Terry

Its probaly a leaky height control valve which isn't today. One of my XMs does just the opposite, it normally drops like a stone but occaisionally stays up, when it does you only have to touch the valve lever and it drops.

Peter

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 05 Jul 2011, 16:48

Terry, you'll be pleased to know that Xantias of the '97 era aren't supposed to sink, though many invariably do...

I don't know the ins and outs of the anti sink setup but I would imagine that for one reason or another, the anti sink valve has shut proper.

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 06 Jul 2011, 08:15

One of the functions of the 'anti-sink' sphere is to make sure that the anti-sink valve closes properly. A simple check of the anti-sink sphere is to sit in the back of the car while the engine isn't running; in an estate it's better to open the tailgate and sit in the load-space. The car should go down, then rise up again after 10-15 seconds. If it sinks, but doesn't rise within 20 seconds, then the anti-sink sphere (ASS) is flat. The ASS should hold enough pressure reserve to repeat this at least once more. Replacement is an easy job.

If the ASS passes the test, your problem may be dirt in the hydraulic system. The LHM should be clear bright green. It may be time the LHM in the hydraulic system was replaced; basically you empty the reservoir, put in clean LHM and flush out the old LHM with clean. The proper way to do it is to do 2 changes, the first change is for Hydrorincage (special flushing fluid), run the car for 500-1,000 miles before replacing the Hydrorincage (which doesn't have the protective properties of LHM) with LHM.

The brakes need to be thoroughly bled each time because the brake lines are long dead ends.