Xantia LHM Leak

[DHallworth]

Trying to trace a hydraulic leak on a Series 2 Xantia HDi...

It's leaking at the front left corner, seems to be a pipe that's tucked out of the way by the chassis leg at the back of the engine bay. After starting the car, it takes around 5 - 10 seconds for the leak to start then it sprays a high pressure jet.

I've followed the steering supply pipe back but I'm not convinced it's this. I don't think it's the brake pipe as that would only leak when there is pressure on the brakes.

What else is there that has a high pressure feed in there? It's only visible with your head in the wheel arch or when under the car but I can't see where it's coming from as when it's running it produces such a mist that you can't see where it's coming from.

I really don't want to have to take the engine and gearbox out to start tracing them back although it doesn't seem a bad idea to take it out and repipe the whole lot in one go.

David.

[DickieG]

Could it be the anti-sink valve which is located under the LHM tank?

[Lighty]

Very common, gets my vote as well

[DHallworth]

What is it that leaks on the anti sink valve?

It doesn't look as high up as that though.. Will have a better look on Saturday. The cars been sitting on the ramp for over a month now, it's just been so bloody cold I can't bring myself to go to the workshop and finish it.

David.

[DickieG]

What is it that leaks on the anti sink valve?

The seal around the end cap splits, IIRC a new seal can be obtained by using one of the pump seals.

[Dommo]

My 2.1 had a very rusty front anti sink valve, gawd knows why. It was very accessible once you take the LHM reservoir out.

[DHallworth]

thanks guys.

Am going to have another look at it today... really hoping I can get away without taking the engine & gearbox out.

David.

[CitroJim]

David, if it's not the PAS pipe then it must be one of the high pressure feeds that goes back to the rear where it skirts under the subframe and off into the pipe/cable tray to the back. If you remove the LHM reservoir and follow the pipes down from the anti-sink valves and the security valves they're quite visible although you can't really run the engine with the LHM reservoir off to see which is the culprit. However rust and a good clean-up may show which is the most likely culprit and you should be able to repipe the suspects without removing the engine and gearbox...

Whilst you're there, check too the rubber return pipe from the pinion valve. This one can fail where it goes from metal to rubber and as theres a high volume of LHM flowing it can make a right mess. Not a huge amount of pressure though.

Hopefully there will be no need to remove the engine...

[DHallworth]

Success... I think!

I'm 99% sure the culprit was the pipe between the Anti Sink valve and the safety valve (the one with the electrical connection).

Whoever decided to put the safety valve where it is needs to be shot!

David.

[Xantidote]

Sucess ..... I hope

Success I hope

Martin

[CitroJim]

Sucess ..... I hope

Success I hope

Martin

Me too

Yep, agreed, not the most intelligent positioning for a component