Place your bets – Xantia Hydraulic leak.

[rory_perrett]

Ok a bit of Friday fun.

Suffering a bit of hydraulic fluid loss on the old Xantia. Doesn’t appear to be too catastrophic probably around 500ml over 250 miles but decided to park it up until I can investigate properly in case it suddenly got worse.

A quick glance underneath reveals a far amount of fluid dripping off the back of the engine under tray and around the oil drain flap. The catalytic converter and exhaust pipe visible in front of the cat also has a fair covering.

If it stops raining for long enough tomorrow I will get it up on the ramps for a proper look.

So what’s your betting as to what’s leaking?

The more I think the more things it could be in that area. Whatever it is I bet its going to be fun and games to fix.

[Hell Razor5543]

Doseur brake pedal valve (whatever it is called or spelt).

[citroenxm]

Possibly but when the brake valve dust cap seal goes it leaks into the car. .

I'd be more inclined to bet a return hose from the brake valve has split.. They can loose a lot. Thing is though with an under tray it could be from anywhere and then running and finding it's way to the oil drain section of the tram it could be a leak by the regulator at the front..

[rory_perrett]

Well not what I expected and I still haven't found the hydraulic leak.

Got the car up on the ramps, removed the under tray which was swimming in oil to find that everything seems to be leaking under there.

Slight engine oil leak from the sump gasket.
Gearbox oil leak from somewhere, most likely the output shaft seal as it seems to be coming from the bell housing.
Hydraulic leak somewhere up near the reservoir, possibly one of the rubber "octopus" pipes. Difficult to see where from on top without taking of a few air inlet pipes but from underneath you can see that it is originating from quite a way up. I was expecting it might be from the rack pinion, power steering ram or supply pipe. Anyway, rain stopped play so it will have to sit there a while longer before I get to the bottom of it.

The gearbox leak is a bit more concerning as I have no idea how long it has been there or how quickly it is leaking. I'm still on the original clutch so I'm sure it will have to come out sometime soon but I could do without that just now.

[citroenxm]

Under trays .. i hate them with a passion.. The only purpose to smooth the underside out a bit.

They otherwise hide leaks
prevent early diagnostic of leaks
get in the way of oil changes
never undo properly because the bolts size
almost as useless as a sunroof!

[rory_perrett]

Well I'm feeling just the way you do about engine trays. Did a service on my other car (you know the one Citroenxm); 10 mins to do oil change, 60 mins fighting the undertray off and back on again.

Anyway that done, had another look at the Xantia and it looks like the hydraulic leak was coming from a joint between one of the rubber elbows that attach to the top of the LHM tank and the plastic pipe that pushes into it (not the pipe on th tank. It had just pulled out enough to leak. This plastic pipe then runs across the front bulkhead so I guess the LHM was running along the pipe and dripping down all over the show. Hopefully a cheap (free) fix.

Mind you I was a bit shocked at the price of LHM these days. Halfords seem to want £12 and even my local factor want £6 ltr (so didn’t buy any). Glad I've still got some Millers in stock which I paid less than £3 ltr for (just need to find it), at this rate the LHM in the car will be worth more than the car, as it is it doubles in value every time I fill it up with diesel.

[citroenxm]

Nice one Rory.

What you might find then is the rubber L bow that the plastic pushs into might of swelled up a bit allowing the plastic pipe to fall out..

Halfords do a daylight robbery on 12 quid a litre it's bloody disgusting .. 6 quid a litre seems the more norm price these days.

though a slightly better bargain seems to be 5 litre container for 20 quid plus a bit of post.

[rory_perrett]

I'll keep an eye on the pipe but I suspect I may have disturbed it some time in the past getting the LHM tank out. Just had a look on Servicecitroen and although I can't quite work out which one it is (its a small elbow 2" long 10mm od) but the two options appear to be either £12 or £7, I think I'm just getting old.

[citroenxm]

Rory,

DONT go paying sill money, Ive got a load of those L shape pieces all over the place! I could chuck a couple your way via Neil IF we dont see you at a Rally!

[rory_perrett]

Paul Don't worry I wouldn't be spending that kind of money - just totally shocked at the price.