C5 2008 diesel Auto, Oil leak!

[Fedupofc5]

Hi Guys,
After being sober for a while my C5(2008 auto diesel) has an oil leak from the front driver side. The car was fine yesterday night and when i went to start it this morning i found some oil stain in the driveway and when i checked, it seems to be coming from the just in front of the front tyres. The liquid definitely felt oily in my hands. When i sat inside the car and put the keys in the suspension did rise however the motor was louder than normal (definitely did not sound healthy).
Now i do know that my front brake pads needs replaced for a while, could you please share your knowledge as to wether this is brake oil or suspension fluid. i did have a suspension leak a couple of years ago in the same spot and replaced the pipe so i don't think its a rusty pipe.

[Stickyfinger]

Steering rack oil seal leak ?

[vborovic]

I don't think the louder motor and a steering rack leak match

[spider]

I'd suggest cleaning it off (aresol brake cleaner maybe) and then having a closer look. If needed park (put the wheel on it) a piece of old cardboard or suchlike if you need to ID the fluid type/colour.

If nothing else a clean up then a look after a bit should show the likely area of concern...

[myglaren]

Hole on the turbo pipework or intercooler perhaps?

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't think the louder motor and a steering rack leak match

The suspension and the steering system share the same fluid reservoir , so if there is a hydraulic leak (from the rack or elsewhere) and the LDS is low, the motor could be struggling when the suspension is raising the car - as noted by the OP Vab.

If you can, get it checked for a leak on the steering rack as sticky says - these are common items to go on the X7 - I think most of us here on the Forum with X7s have had our Steering Racks replaced / reconditioned. Water ingress is one of the issues which causes the shaft to rust and the seals to perish.

I would also check to see what your LDS fluid level is like (measure this on low suspension) and see where the fluid level is. - see diagram here for measuring:
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... DS#p487060.

[vborovic]

That wouldn't be a hydraulic leak, but a dam breach then ...

[GiveMeABreak]

That wouldn't be a hydraulic leak, but a dam breach then ...

You bet - damned steering racks

[Fedupofc5]

Thanks for the info guys. Just as it happens my local TOM motors garage called a dew weeks ago offering a free health check. So i've used that now and its in the garage. Will let you guys know about the cost soon.

[Fedupofc5]

Ok guys, after the free health check, the dealer said that the car needs the four drop links replaced, and further diagnostic check to find the suspension leak. so i asked them to do just the diagnostic check and they say its a suspension valve and apparently the part alone costs over a £1000.00 plus labour. So they suggested just refill the fluid and it should keep going for a while, which is what i'd be going for.
Any thoughts on this?

[GiveMeABreak]

That doesn't sound very useful at all and could mean absolutely anything. The closest I can come to finding what item it could be at that cost is the actual High Pressure BHI Suspension pump iteslf, at £881.50 (£1057.00 inc. VAT). Slightly more than a 'valve'! I certainly wouldn't be paying for that job without a far better explanation / confirmation of the fault.

[Stickyfinger]

some sort of suspension valve

What sort of feedback from a Citroen Garage is that.......geeze and they wonder why customers run a mile and they loose market share.

[Fedupofc5]

I did try to speak to the mechanic and asked him what sort of suspension valve he is talking about so that i could see if i could source them from any breakers. And the only explanations he gave is that its a valve in the bonnet which feeds to all four suspension, apparently in the left side under the under the reservoirs. But they did say that the part costs around 850 or so plus vat plus labour. They themselves suggested considering the age of the car its not worth replacing it. So they've topped it with two litres of lds fluid and suggested doing the same every couple of months or so.

[Stickyfinger]

disgrace.....personally I would write to Citroen and the Garage owners....Who-T-Flip are they to make such judgements

Where in the UK are you based because there are many Indies who will give better service that these total clowns ?

[GiveMeABreak]

Agree, they should at least give you a written report/ quote of the problem and the recommendation! I have a feeling they really don't know, so they are taking a guess. They obviously don't deal with many hydraulic Citroens or don't have the qualified personnel!