Leaky LHM tank

Stekelly · Unread post by **Stekelly** » 16 Sep 2011, 16:19

When I got my Active from Mike, he told me about the LHM tank. It leaks LHM out on to the top of it, seams to be coming from under the rubber seal on the top. I havnt dismantled the tank for a look but after I change the LHM on the other one it's started on that too. It's not a huge amount, but it would need a sheet of kitchen towl to clean it off. I did it once and its back, so definately an ongoign leak.

Anyone had this? Is it something in the way I reassembled the tank (that the garage that did the Activa when Mike had it did the same) or somethign else?

Cheers

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 16 Sep 2011, 16:39

Leaks from the seal area are quite common, a new seal isn't expensive.

Stekelly · Unread post by **Stekelly** » 16 Sep 2011, 16:40

Does the seal get damaged when its removed or something? It looks fine from what I could see and I was careful with the parts.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 16 Sep 2011, 16:57

They just appear to leak as they age, I imagine that the seals lose some of its shape and bulk in the areas that make contact, obviously if you've been cornering quickly that throws the LHM about and increases the leak rate. Sometimes even with a new seal you get a degree of leakage.

Unread post by **Estately** » 17 Sep 2011, 10:26

Have you checked the return pipes where they enter the top of the tank?

I have tried to stop mine leaking but the access between the pipes is very limited so I have resorted to a judiciously placed and folded sheet of kitchen roll tucked amongst the connections.

Result: dry top of the LHM tank and change the sheet of kitcken roll on a monthly basis.

Regards.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 17 Sep 2011, 10:37

I would concur, they all seem to leak, especially if the fluid level is to high.

Peter

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 17 Sep 2011, 10:49

i belive this seal is more a dust seal to stop dirt/dust entering the tank, and although it will deteriorate with age,

leakage at this point is more to do with the tamk being overfull,

were does the top yellow/orange disc of the level indicator sit in its dome,

regards malcolm

Unread post by **Old-Guy** » 17 Sep 2011, 16:41

On mine, it's more weep than leak and it's definitely from under the seal. It can be minimised, but not eliminated, by only filling the tank until the disc is half-way between the marks. Sedate driving probably helps too - but that's no fun!

As an aside, I bought a cheap 1L plastic kitchen jug just for LHM. It makes topping up so much easier, with jug less than half-full and engine running (but no wind!) it's easy to slowly pour a thin stream into the tank until the required level is reached - without dribbling LHM on the top of the tank. I keep all my LHM kit - 5L can, jug and bleeding kit - in a battered, but oil-tight, stacking storage bin with a couple of newspapers in the bottom to soak up any spillage, and a bin bag over the top to keep out the dust.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 17 Sep 2011, 19:58

I just use a little funnel for topping up...

Weepy LHM reservoir seals drive me nuts... Many will know of my passion for dry engine bays and my definition of a leak so having LHM slop around the top of the reservoir really does pull my chain...

All of mine (bar one) have done it and it's a weekly task for me to wipe the top down to keep it looking clean...

Oddly, new V6, despite being a tad overfilled, is 100% dry

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 18 Sep 2011, 09:48

CitroJim wrote:Oddly, new V6, despite being a tad overfilled, is 100% dry

That'll be the new seal I put on it

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Sep 2011, 10:02

DickieG wrote: That'll be the new seal I put on it

Ahh, now oddly I've never replaced a seal as I've looked at them very carefully and have never seen a problem with them; they appear soft and intact and good. Clearly they're not... Perhaps they shrink?

Maybe I should replace them....

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 18 Sep 2011, 10:08

CitroJim wrote:
DickieG wrote: That'll be the new seal I put on it
Ahh, now oddly I've never replaced a seal as I've looked at them very carefully and have never seen a problem with them; they appear soft and intact and good. Clearly they're not... Perhaps they shrink?

Maybe I should replace them....

I'm pretty sure I replaced the one on the Activa as well but as its an Activa,,,,,,,,

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Sep 2011, 10:11

DickieG wrote: I'm pretty sure I replaced the one on the Activa as well but as its an Activa,,,,,,,,

Yes, it's all to do with the G Forces

Activas need a baffled LHM Reservoir like fast racing cars have baffled sumps....

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 18 Sep 2011, 11:21

shirley

if the seal looks/feels good you just need to adjust the tension/profile of the lid clamp, to add slightly more downward force onto the lid/seal,

and of course only fill the tank to the corect amount as citroen intended (between the two red bands)

regards malcolm

thorter · Unread post by **thorter** » 18 Sep 2011, 20:45

The problem is that the hole for the filter is offset, and there is no support inside to stop the top of the tank near the centre deforming over time. However, it is quite easy to make up an insert to sit inside from a bit of standard 110mm plastic drainpipe. This has stopped leakage on my car.

Unfortunately I can’t find the dimensions, but I seem to remember that it needs to be 151mm high (quite accurately), and roughly a 90 degrees section, but you would need to check the size when making it up. With the filter out, it fits into position, and after reassembly, is kept in place by the lid clamping spring.

Fred