2000 xantia suspension

[taffy43]

hi all have just got hold of a xantia hdi diesel as i am new to this car i seem to be having trouble with the suspension the problem being as i start the car it sinks an then after 15 20 seconds it sorts its self out can anyone help its a 90 bhp on a 2000 reg cheers an all so in the last couple of days i can hear a pump noise but not all the time can you help please

[Peter.N.]

If it drives OK I wouldn't worry about it or you could spend a lot of time and money sorting a problem which wont make it go any better. You could check and replace if necessary the accumulator sphere as that could be the cause but otherwise I would leave it alone.

Peter

[citroenxm]

Its simply internal Leak back that happens inside the hydraulic system after the engine has stopped, as the fluid returns to the resoviour. HOWEVER, theres "Anti Sink" valves fitted to the front and back which do just that, stops the car sinking down. These are obviously working, as the car stays up. So, as you start the car, the pump builds pressure on the feed side opens the anti sink valve which then lets the suspesnion fill up after the anti sink valve hence the rear end dropping, then of course the pump then builds the pressure back up again.

Id leave it too, it will help keep the rear linkage in working order and prevent siezure!

[CitroJim]

Id leave it too, it will help keep the rear linkage in working order and prevent siezure!

As Paul says, this is a very positive benefit And it's really nothingt o be concerned about so long as all the rest is good.

In cases of rear sinks it is worth checking the condition of the rear corner spheres and bot the main accumulator and the mis-named anti-sink sphere which is actually an auxilliary accumulator. Despite it's name it won't be the sole cause of this problem.

A little loss of pressure in all the spheres mentioned along with a bit of internal leakage in the brake dosuer can all go a long way to making this problem apparent.

The anti-snk valve will not be the problem either..

The noise you can hear is the pump working and when it's working hard to build pressure it'll sound like a little machine-gun.

A rough and ready test of the main accumulator can be made by listening to clicks from the pressure regulator just above it. This device acts like a hydraulic thermostat to regulate the hydraulic pressure and it clicks on an off. These clicks should occur at no shorter intervals than 30 seconds and these clicks too will coincide with a short burst of noise from the pump. The sequence should be click - short burst of pump noise for three to five seconds - at least 30 seconds of quiet from the pump - click and repeat all the while the engine is idling.

If the pump is noisy continuously or regulator clicks cannot be heard or they are very rapid then the main accumulator sphere is ruptured or flat and must be replaced ASAP as to continue to runt he car with it like that strains the pump and also more importantly means there is no reserve of pressure to allow the brakes to operate with the engine not running. This is safety critical and is in fact an MOT failure.

Another way to test the main accumulator is to switch off and then immediately sit in the tailgate. It will sink under your weight and if the accumulator is good will raise the suspension back to normal height after about 20s. Get off and the rear will rise up. Again, if the accumulator is good the suspension height will correct back sown again. If this doesn't happen then it's time to replace the accumulator.

[citroenxm]

Another way to test the main accumulator is to switch off and then immediately sit in the tailgate. It will sink under your weight and if the accumulator is good will raise the suspension back to normal height after about 20s. Get off and the rear will rise up. Again, if the accumulator is good the suspension height will correct back sown again. If this doesn't happen then it's time to replace the accumulator.

Or switch off and put the lever Straight to TOP setting! The car should rise a bit with the reserve pressure, either at the front or rear...

[taffy43]

thanks alot guys you have been a great help an i will be sitting in the boot in the morning lol. buy chance do any of you no of a specialist in the somerset area thanks again for the help

[Peter.N.]

Where abouts in Somerset are you, anywhere near me?

Peter

[Stickyfinger]

Phil Hunt. Whitepost garage Marnhall nr Sterminster Newton....top bloke
others: http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... m.php?f=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm nr Shepton-M and have a Lexia if needed....Dont really know how to use it mind

[CitroJim]

I'm nr Shepton-M and have a Lexia if needed....Dont really know how to use it mind

That's not a problem Sticky. We can always give some on-line tuition...