Citroen C4 VTS 2.0 HDi hydraulic clutch pipe

[Wiltrac]

Hi,

I'm currently having a few issues with my VTS. After giving it a good service, I thought it was running really well until I got in the car yesterday and the clutch pedal stayed firmly to the floor after I took my foot off it.

After some investigation, it seems that the connection on the main hydraulic pipe (which incidentally runs around the back of the engine bay across the bulk head in to the pedal box), has corroded due to water ingress from a badly fitting windscreen cowl. This pipe fits to the rubber flexi hose, which in turn fits to the clutch slave cylinder on the top of the gearbox.

So, I think i need a new hydraulic clutch pipe, which runs from the pedal box to the clamp under the battery, before connecting to the clutch slave cylinder.

It looks like a real PITA job to do because of where the pipe runs to and from. Has anyone sucessfully done this job before? Apparently its a similar problem with the Peugeot 307. The actual pipe for the C4 is now discontinued by Citroen

[RichardW]

Sorry to hear that... I bet changing the pipe is a right game as it goes all round the back of the engine. Depending on access it might be subframe out!

The original pipe is allegedly still available, and actually not that dear (this is probably the part, but if you post the last 8 digits of the VIN I can check):


Part Number Description Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT
00002156V1 PIPE 17.13 GBP 20.56 GBP

However, there is a proposal to use a later pipe along with modified master, slave and feed pipe - which makes it more expensive of course!! Given that the old part has lasted 8 or so years, I'd be tempted just to fit the replacement pipe - it will likely outlast the car- unless there is a problem with the connection on the slave that will not allow it.

00002156Q0 CONTROL PIPE 27.28 GBP 32.74 GBP


00002156V1 PIPE 17.13 GBP 20.56 GBP


0000218299 MASTER CYLINDER 23.60 GBP 28.32 GBP


00002182G2 MASTER CYLINDER 23.97 GBP 28.76 GBP


9677860880 CONTROL PIPE 79.55 GBP 95.46 GBP

[Wiltrac]

Thanks Richard,

The last 8 digits of the VIN are 74250142.

In the mean time, I've been to a local breakers this morning and found another pipe from a C4 2.0 HDi of the same year, which seems in very good condition. Removing was very easy as there was no engine in the car it was from

The end just clips into a joint which is held in place by a metal U clip, then its just clipped to the back of the bulk head with several plastic clips and feeds around to underneath the battery, where it connects to the slave cylinder, very simple in principle.

Removing the old one on my car and replacing with this one is going to be a whole different story however :/

I think i need to get under the car to see what access, if any, there is. It looks like it will be very difficult, probably impossible to do from the top, with the engine in its normal location. I'll give it a shot though.

[jgra1]

Ramps, shelter, good light, and a crawl board wiltrac.. these jobs always seem hellish before you start. But they are rarely impossible .. sometimes i do question why we put ourselves through all of it though especially for me right now..
John

[Wiltrac]

You're right John, there will be a way to do it. After looking at the car again, i can see the connection point, its on the upper part of the bulk head on the drivers side, just above the pedal box, opposite the right side of the cylinder head. Lots of pipes in the way though, think they're aircon related. But i'm glad i was able to remove the used part off myself instead of going in blind, I need to get underneath it, but not today, too miserable and cold. I have a garage, but my Dad's S-Type Jag is in there with the engine in pieces!

[Wiltrac]

Well, I had a shot at removing the old clutch control pipe today, and it was pretty straight forward after my initial anticipation of it being a complete nightmare.

Removal of the windscreen cowl made life easier, plus the fact that the pipe was in two pieces!

The offending little sh*t:





All because of a windscreen seal leak, good job Citroen!


The new (used) one I sourced from the breakers was identical, but harder to install, as it was all one piece, but got it in after about 30 minutes of faffing about.

I had to undo the heater hoses to get the new pipe on, but I was planning on a coolant system clean and refresh anyway. Lost both heater hose clips, so need two more of those, and probably a lower radiator hose clip.

I'm not sure about the clutch and brake system now though, I'll need to bleed the clutch system, but not sure about the brakes...?

[flying clutchman]

you shouldn't need to touch the brakes, although they share a reservoir the systems are seperate. Bleeding should be straightforward as long as you're patient

[Wiltrac]

Well, I got the car back together today after replacing the clutch pipe, and bleeding the hydraulic clutch system.

Now, I have a very spongy brake pedal, and a three beep STOP braking system faulty alert on the display.

I genuinely didn't think that the clutch fluid leak would cause this, but it appears I was wrong. The spongy pedal and hiss from what I assume is the brake master cylinder only appeared after the clutch pipe failed - both systems use the same reservoir.

I can pump the brake pedal and all I get is a hiss from the passenger footwell, along with a spongy brake pedal that slowly sinks to the floor.

So, I've done a bit of research, and apparently, the only way to correctly bleed the brakes is to take it to Citroen who use Lexia (their diagnostic software) to open an internal ABS valve.

Is this actually true??

I can't believe that a fault with the clutch hydraulic system, resulting in bleeding that clutch system, would result in a trip to the dealers (or specialist) to have the braking system bled and fault codes cleared for the braking system as well?? WTF??

Is this how these cars work, for real???

[Hell Razor5543]

That may well be the case (as some other cars do need to be put on a Lexia to allow things to be fixed), but there are forum members with Lexia clones who are willing to help. Try looking through this link for anybody near to you;

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll ... Os0oFMruYo

[Wiltrac]

Ok, thanks, that's very helpful. I don't think I'd be able to get the car to the nearest contact on the list with braking system faulty though :/

[Hell Razor5543]

If you ask nicely they may well come to you.

[Wiltrac]

Ok, thanks James, I may give that a shot

[Wiltrac]

I've read the Haynes manual section on bleeding which states it is possible to bleed but if unsuccessful, the job must be completed by Citroen or a specialist with the appropriate software and knowledge.

Back out with the bloody axle stands then, after a small prayer to the DIY car repair gods.