How much LHM in my Xantia

[orinoco74]

Hi, i have a mk2 Xantia (2000) 1.8L 16v petrol model. I have noticed the reservoir tank for the LHM was a little low. I read the manual and on top is an indicator, where the yellow disk has to be between the two red lines. Saying that this doesnt work, how high should the level in the LHM reservoir be? Inside the filling cap i can see what looks like a white gauze filter, i can see about 2cm of the top of it. How high should the level be? Thanks in advance.

[citronut]

in what way do you think the level indicator is no working work, when all that is wrong is the fluid is to high in the tank,

what method did you use to check the level indicator

[orinoco74]

i am not saying the level indicator isnt working, it just hasnt moved. i have put a liter of LHM in it and the level indicator is still where it was at before. i just wondered if there was a visual way of telling if it has the correct amount of LHM IF the level indicator doesnt work.

[Hell Razor5543]

IIRC it is the orange disk that needs to be between the red lines when the car is on high, on the level, and with the engine running. The metal disk is used to bridge two contacts if there isn't enough LHM in the reservoir, it will cause the STOP and brake warning light to come on (the same ones that stay on for a few seconds after you have started the car).

[citronut]

unless i have missed something orinoco74 has not said were his YELLOW disc sits in the sight glass, top or bottom of the level indicator,

the indicator is so simple it is very unlikely it is not working,

it is a one piece plastic float with a stem from the top of the float going up into the sight glass, which then has the copper and YELLOW discs attached

[orinoco74]

thing with that is, i think it may be stuck, when it was really low in the reservoir, the yellow disk was right at the top. now i have shoved another liter in, its still at the top, i think it may be stuck or something...

[Chlorate]

From previous experience of a leaky Xantia, 1l of LHM would take the level from low to the point of setting off the STOP lamp on the dash to being over-filled.

[Mandrake]

thing with that is, i think it may be stuck, when it was really low in the reservoir, the yellow disk was right at the top. now i have shoved another liter in, its still at the top, i think it may be stuck or something...

Err, so the disc indicated that the level was too high, so you added MORE oil in, another litre in fact ? Why would you think adding more oil would make the reading drop ??

Your tank will now be grossly overfilled, to the point that if you lower the suspension right down it will overflow out the top of the tank. Why not just believe the indicator knows what its talking about ? If it reads too high when the suspension height is fully up, then it is too full, not too empty.

Don't be fooled by the level inside the reservoir being low, the level is checked when the tank level is at a MINIMUM (suspension right up) not maximum.

People second guessing the indicator because it "looks" too low inside the tank is a common mistake. Just trust the indicator and siphon that litre (and then some) back out while the suspension is on high until the reading is correct, before you end up with a huge oil spill on the ground. Top orange disc between the two red lines.

[orinoco74]

the thing is, even with the suspension fully down, i can still see the top of the white filter inside the reservoir. so there is absolutely no chance of it overflowing. so i guess it does mean the indicator isnt working.

[Mandrake]

You might find it will overflow with the car parked on a slope when the suspension is depressurised though, even if not on the level. Mine was like this when I bought it - approximately 1.5 litres over filled, fine on the level, but the first time I lowered the suspension while the back of the car was up on ramps oil started pouring down through the engine bay onto the ground...

[Hell Razor5543]

Even when the car is bottomed out you can still see the top of the filters. The reservoir has a weird design to prevent air being drawn into the pump, etc. I believe that the system uses about 4l LHM, which is spread out through the suspension, brakes and steering, so the reservoir appears low when the car is at normal height.

[Old-Guy]

Orinico, you still haven't told us where the indicator is when the suspension has settled at HIGH (control lever right back).

The LHM reservoir level MUST be checked with the car on a level surface, engine idling with the suspension on HIGH (takes at least 30 seconds to settle). If the little orange/yellow disc stays in the top of the dome, either it has stuck (not uncommon) or the reservoir is over-full.

[citronut]

in all the years i have worked on and around hydraulic citroens, i have never seen a stuck float,

it is such a simple unit i cant see how it could get stuck

[Mandrake]

It can't stick Malcolm, as anyone who has taken one out can see. (They can be removed after turning 90 degrees and lifting on the Xantia, from memory ? I'm sure I've had one out on a Xantia separately from the main top unit)

What can happen though is that sticky height correctors can cause the suspension not to always fully pressurise on the high setting, therefore the amount of oil that the suspension draws out of the tank when the suspension is set to high can vary from time to time giving the impression that the level is higher or lower than it was the previous time it was checked even though no oil has been lost or gained in the system.

My current Xantia with its sticky rear height corrector behaves like this. It's best to wait at least 3 minutes with the engine idling with the height up for the reading to settle in case the height correctors are a bit sticky as this can lead to slow pressurising to maximum height.

Oil is still flowing out of the tank and into the suspension for some time after the height no longer appears to be rising because whilst the suspension is compressed against the bump stops there is still more room for oil to compress the nitrogen in the spheres until the pressure reaches equilibrium.

[Coyote16]

I know what does orinoco74 say!
I have Xantia for almost 8 years, I always used to check my fluid level using the yellow floater and it used to work fine. But now, I have a very very poor steering and braking and also my rear suspension makes too much noise when the car is moving but when I check the fluid level it seems super normal.

When I add some LHM, everything goes perfect, but there is no change in floater level. My mechanic says your floater is not working well and you have to memorize the fluid level by eyes and check it in reservoir using a flashlight.

I also need a photo from inside of a well-working Xantia's reservoir to memorize the level.