LHM on top of reservoir

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DublinChris
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LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

I decided to replace the old LHM reservoir and seal in my 1998 Series 2 TD as part of a general tidy up in the engine compartment. The top of the old unit had dipped from the steel retaining clip causing the lhm to leak out from the seal. It was not a big leak but just some pooling over time from seepage. I used to wipe it dry every so often. Well my Citroen garage of 20 years + did the work but I discovered after lifting the hood about a week later that the problem was worse than ever with LHM leaking out on to the top and spilling out over the sides into the channel all the way around the reservoir. When I called back to the garage they thought it had been overfilled and drew off some LHM. However as soon as I drove off the stop lights flashed under acceleration or hard cornering suggesting a low level. I could not go back directly - so at the weekend I got some LHM, cleaned the top of the reservoir and put in almost a litre of LHM to bring things up back to the correct mark. - engine running and on high setting with disc between two red lines. Now the LHM is still seeping out and I am not happy about the situation as the point of spending the money was to have everything oil tight - its now worse than before I made the change. I am due back to the garage next week to have them sort the problem at their expense but I am wondering:

Has anyone else ever had this problem or is it possible that there is something else going on other than the new seal leaking? :x
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by xantia_v6 »

On a couple of Xantias, I have significantly reduced the leakage by putting a smear of oil-proof black silicone sealant on the bottom of the rubber gasket ring. I did not completely dismantle the plumbing, but lifted the tank lid a couple of cm, wiped the mating surfaces with a solvent soaked rag until clean and dry, then smeared on the silicone with a finger.
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by white exec »

Reservoir top seal does go hard and brittle over time, and can crack and develop leaks. You've replaced that, though.
If these's still LHM 'spillage' on the reservoir top, check the tightness of all the return hoses (that's every one except the one that goes to the pump).
The top seal isn't particularly good at sealing any pressure inside the reservoir - it isn't designed to - so check that the reservoir venting is clear. If it isn't, LHM splash inside the reservoir could be expelled past the seal.
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by xantia_v6 »

The problem is that the pressure from the spring clip holding the lid bends the top of the tank in a saddle shape, so the gasket is not pressed down evenly around the circumference, hence glueing it down is an effective solution.

Alternatively if you drive very carefully and slowly, the LHM will not slosh around the tank and escape.
DublinChris
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

Finally I am back. It has taken a long time to be able to log in!!

Thank you for the answers.

I want to stress that the reservoir and seal are brand new. I changed them because there was some seepage due to the steel retaining strap causing the top of the old reservoir to belly" in. The seepage was not very bad but in giving the old girl a tidy up for next 10 years of use I decided to change those things along with some other items like a leaking rocker cover gasket and some trims at top of door panel. As I have said the new items are leaking worse than the old ones - and the top of the new reservoir is dead flat no sagging.

DublinChris
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DublinChris
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Previously BX19DTR, BX19TD, BX19TZD

Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

xantia_v6 wrote:The problem is that the pressure from the spring clip holding the lid bends the top of the tank in a saddle shape, so the gasket is not pressed down evenly around the circumference, hence glueing it down is an effective solution.

Alternatively if you drive very carefully and slowly, the LHM will not slosh around the tank and escape.
Driving carefully and slowly does not work for me!! :rofl2: :rofl2:
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by elma »

Other than whats already mentioned dirty filters and overfilling the reservoir can cause the LHM to leak. If it's not that or a loose return pipe the silicon sounds like a good idea.
DublinChris
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

elma wrote:Other than whats already mentioned dirty filters and overfilling the reservoir can cause the LHM to leak. If it's not that or a loose return pipe the silicon sounds like a good idea.
Filters cleaned and not over filled :wink:
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by elma »

Thats where I was at when I found a loose hose clip on mine. Frustrating leak that one, I've fixed it at least twice on every Xantia I've had.
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by white exec »

elma wrote: Frustrating leak that one, I've fixed it at least twice on every Xantia I've had.
Terrific. Interesting to plot the inexorable decline in reservoir quality over the decades, culminating in an exploding finale. Side-splitting stuff. :(
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by CitroJim »

I have it happen every time I disturb and LHM reservoir on every Xantia I've ever touched... I just live with it now...
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by myglaren »

I liked the GS copper one. Too expensive to produce probably.
DublinChris
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Previously BX19DTR, BX19TD, BX19TZD

Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

elma wrote:Thats where I was at when I found a loose hose clip on mine. Frustrating leak that one, I've fixed it at least twice on every Xantia I've had.
Cheers for that will be doing a complete check of the hoses and clips on Tuesday will let you know how I get on.

Sorry again for delay in replying only now getting back to normal running after the changes to the forum - bit like sorting the LHM issue :rofl2:
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current every day 1998 Xantia turbo diesel 1905cc series 2
DublinChris
Posts: 144
Joined: 01 Jan 2011, 19:40
Location: Dublin
My Cars: 1998 Series 2 - 1.9TD owned from '98 216,000+ miles
Previously BX19DTR, BX19TD, BX19TZD

Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by DublinChris »

So all seems good now. The hoses were all checked and no leaks. The problem turned out to be a completely blocked breather pipe from top of filler cap. When bleed screw was released the filler cap literally blew off :shock: the LHM was leaking out from the two electrical connections. So with airline on the pipe a plug blockage blew out. So far so good no sign of LHM, all dry. 8-)
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Re: LHM on top of reservoir

Post by elma »

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