Xantia hydraulic pipe replacement

[fotobright]

Hi,

My otherwise healthy 98 Xantia 19.td failed its MOT, mostly on issues to do with corroded or leaking suspension pipes. I'm wondering how easy this lot might be to fix or if anyone can point me to a link?

The MOT wording states
Nearside lower (under front of engine bay ) fluid suspension unit leaking
Nearside rear fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded and weakened
Centre rear fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded and weakened
Offside rear fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded and weakened

Any ideas most welcome

Thanks

[fotobright]

A follow up from yesterday,

I'd like if possible to get this car back on the road, since running it on WVO is beginning to make more and more sense these days. I've just done a pile of work to it to get it through the MOT,then the MOT re-test, which it failed on a faulty hazard switch! I then repaired that and got the car MOT'd again yesterday at a different garage close to my house and they descided to fail the car again on the hydraulic pipes. I know, why oh why did I change MOT station!!

From reading posts on FCF yesterday I see that corrosion in older citroen hydraulic pipes is common and there are specialists to supply pipes etc.

From the list of pipe fails on the MOT, are any very difficult to do bearing in mind myself and another mechanic would do the work?

For the next MOT am I supposed to replace the whole pipe or the worst bit, bearing in mind there is actually only one minor leak?

[Xaccers]

Is there any chance you can take photos of the corrosion and on which pipes?

[fotobright]

Hi,

here is a link to pics I took just now. The MOT guy seems to have circled the issues in yelow crayon. He seems to specify the bends though and the centre Y junction I'm not entirely sure what part of the offside rear pipework he is referring to, he seems to have crayoned in the frame as well? Not entirely sure if the front leak is a drip down from the engine or the 1" pipe from/to the front centre sphere unit.


http://s1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii509/xantia1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CitroJim]

Ohh yes, the MOT tester appears to be right. he's clearly very contentious if he marks what he's not happy with. On the basis of those pictures they do look a bit rusty at the back.

Not entirely sure if the front leak is a drip down from the engine or the 1" pipe from/to the front centre sphere unit.

More than likely just a leak from the pressure regulator return pipe and housing right above making it look like the PAS flexi is leaking. They rarely do but when they do you really know about it.

I'd say it was worth investing in a proper flaring tool, a roll of 3.5mm Kunifer, some seals and unions and get cracking on some repiping. The cost will be a LOT less overall then getting someone to do the job...

[fotobright]

Hi, thanks for swift response on this.
Is it a case of just replacing the small section the tester is talking about or a longer length, from just after the coiled pipe to the threaded coupling, for example. Splicing in a lenght of Kunifer with the appropriate joints?

I can get hold of a flaring tool as the guy helping me is a farmer and they have one for the tractor hydraulics. Do I need a 3.5mm dye for that as well as the seals and unions?

Cheers

[CitroJim]

Where possible I'd replace the full pipe lengths and only use couplings where absolutely necessary.

Citroen 3.5 and 4.5mm flares are unique to Citroen and whilst dies are freely available for the professional tools they're unlikely to be included in a standard flaring kit. You may well have to fork out for the tool but even if you only use it once then no worries as I'm sure someone on here will be eager to acquire it when you're done with it.

Seals and unions are freely available. David Hallworth recently posted a useful link of a source of supply for those and the pipe.

[fotobright]

I had a better look at the car this afternoon and we could see that there is a leak from the pressure regulator return pipe and some corrosion to the other pipes but no leaks. This car had an MOT two weeks ago and failed on a number of things, it then had a retest and failed only on a faulty hazard switch. They put an advisory on the corrosion to the brake pipes and tracking arm but mentioned nothing about the suspension pipes.

After fixing the hazard I took it to my local MOT, not the previous MOT garage thinking that as it was only the hazard it would pass. However it was the new MOT guy who failed it on the suspension pipes and tracking arm. Basically everything that was on the advisory from the previous MOT.

I dont want to drive about in a dangerous car but should I not just take it back to the first MOT and se if it will pass?