2008 o8 Citroen C5 HDI with hard suspension & steering

[ken.chapman]

Hi all, my first post to this site so here's hoping someone can really help me out!?!

I have a 2008 58 Citroen C5 HDI Auto Exclusive - lovely car normally - but lately it's developed a couple of faults:

The ride quality is severely poor at the moment feeling every single bump in the road - it's hard even an downright uncomfortable. Going over speed bumps and it seems to bunny hop over rather than the gliding I'm used to with BX and Xantia!

Went away on business for two weeks and put the car on the drive. Came back and the steering has gone really stiff now and jerky. I can now feel everything in the road whereas before I quite like the disjointed floaty feel to the steering!

I've always liked the C5 but I'm struggling to find a specialist service agent near Oxford - can anyone help?

[osx]

Try and depressurise the LDS tank and see if it makes a difference. Is it an X7?

[ken.chapman]

Not sure what an X7 is I'm afraid - it's a 58 plate 138 C5 HDi Auto Exclusive if that helps?

[vborovic]

That's a X7, all right

[SaabC5]

Check the LDS reservoir at the front left of the engine bay as you look in. You should have fluid up to the bottom of the gauze, if not buy some LDS fluid and top up. Make sure they don't sell you green LHM fluid, you want the dayglo LDS fluid like this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Total-Fluide- ... 2a4c692045

[ken.chapman]

I was told it's not possible to top up this model as it needs to go to Citroen as it's a sealed system! I'll buy some fluid today...

[RichardW]

I wouldn't buy any fluid till you've established it needs some. If it is low, where has it gone? - should be obvious if there is a leak somewhere. Does the suspension look like it's at the right height? Are there any warnings etc on the screen?

[Fedupofc5]

Hi Ken,
I've the exact same car, 08,c5-auto diesel. I had a similar problem last year and it was due to a leaking power steering pump(although yours could just be a low fluid level) Unfortunately in this car the same fluid is also used for the hydraulic suspension which would explain both your faults.
Can you spot any oil leak when you park the car? This seems to be a common problem in this model. If you don't find any leaks then its just that fluid needs topped up.

[RichardW]

It won't be low unless it's leaked out (*) - it's an essentially sealed system.

* Level can drop if you have burst some spheres - if this is the case then it could account for low level and hard ride, however, I doubt multiple spheres have burst on a relatively young car.

[ken.chapman]

Thanks everyone - no obvious leaks at all, no oil on the ground, etc.

[Jodyone]

Please be careful about establishing fluid level. On C5 X7 (and C6, natch), it isn't really possible to check the fluid level unless you've depressurised the system with Lexia/Diagbox, or using the bleed screws underneath. The "rule of thumb" says that the fluid should just reach the bottom of the filter in the LDS tank when the car is on service low, but that is still probably overfilled by half a litre or so. It may not matter- I've not seen or heard of any bad consequences- but nonetheless I think it's worth being circumspect.

I guess you could fill according to "rule of thumb" and if it makes things better, you know you have a fluid level problem which at least shows you where to start investigating!