Accumulator noise

[kiwifrog]

Hi there, have just bought a 93 Xantia and it makes an intermittent noise when its sitting there idling, on investigating, it appears to be coming from the main accumulator assembly in front of the engine, its a sort of high pressure sound about every 10 seconds or so.

[elma]

The noise is normal but 10 seconds is a bit of a short time. It indicates that the accumulater sphere is low on pressure, replacing it or regassing it should fix the issue. If your brake pedal is pulsing this is also caused by the low sphere.

[chinkostu]

There should be a sharp rattle/click every 30 seconds or so, less than this and the accumulator needs changing.

[Stickyfinger]

Time the recycle "clicks/noise"......on>>>> off>>>>>on>>. etc.....come back to us with the cycle times:

[kiwifrog]

I just went out and started it from cold and let it warm up for a few minutes, every 3-4 seconds it makes a sharp medium pitched buzz , hard to describe the sound. I'm sure yesterday when it was fully warm it was about every 9- 10 seconds.

[aerodynamica]

Yes like they said it shouldn't make the sound so frequently - mine is up to over one minute between.

Don't be worried about how audible the sound is - if you have a 1993 Xantia it will have the original hydraulic circuit without the 'anti-sink' deviced fitted i.e the suspension sinks down after being parked up. These models all use a device named a Flow Divider Valve (FDV) that was deleted later on. The FDV is widely known in Citroen circles to emit a fairly audible hissing noise just before the adjascent Pressure Regulator cuts out the fluid build up from the hydraulic pump. The loudness of the noise seems to vary between models - BX models were far quieter in my experience and XMs far louder or at least, higher pitched. Again, depends on other things too like temperature and whether it's a Diesel or Petrol motor - petrol engines are far quieter at idle so the hissing sound from the FDV is the dominant sound from those cars.

Anyway, I'd change the main accumulator sphere and maybe replace the LHM fluid and check the HP pump belt tightness etc and it should function well.

It's only if it doesn't improve after those fixes that might indicate a problem. Chuck a new accumulator sphere on it and let us know how you get on

[aerodynamica]

In fact, here's a short video of my old Xantia a few years ago simply moving back and repositioning in the garage, at about 20 seconds in the FDV hiss can be heard once then it repeats a few more times later.

http://vid139.photobucket.com/albums/q3 ... 4jqg3u.mp4

Does this sound like the noise yours makes?

[Hell Razor5543]

Take a look at the mileage, and, if it is over 110,000 miles, consider also running a hydraflush cycle. Citroen recommend changing the LHM every 36,000 miles, and every third change should have a flush first. This could help clear out any crud that may have built up over time. Hydraflush is not cheap (about £50 for 5L), but it can help. You might not pick up on any changes (as the hydraflush is in the system for about 3,000 miles, and takes time to work), but my Mum did. She said my Xantia was a lot more comfortable when she rode in it after I had completed a hydraflush cycle and put fresh LHM in.

For spheres you might want to contact AEP Direct. Their prices are good, the spheres (when I got mine) are new (dates stamp shown were within a couple of months of purchase), and they take care to make sure you get the right ones (so when you place the order include the vehicle reg, otherwise there will be a delay when they contact you to check the spheres ordered are the right ones for your Xantia).

[white exec]

One more vote for Hydraurincage (Hydraflush) at that sort of mileage.
Leave in for 3000 miles, and fit new filters in the reservoir when switching back to LHM.
Well worth doing.

[xantia_v6]

Remember that it is very difficult and expensive to get any Citroen parts in New Zealand.
I would advise changing or recharging the accumulator sphere first. Worry about the LHM later.

[chinkostu]

Even just clean the filters and use new LHM!

[white exec]

Even just clean the filters and use new LHM!

Yes, that would do fine, if needs be.

[kiwifrog]

Ok thanks guys, I have found a guy here in NZ that re-charges the spheres , he fits a nipple to the sphere and re-charges them for NZ$60 on an exchange basis.

[kiwifrog]

In fact, here's a short video of my old Xantia a few years ago simply moving back and repositioning in the garage, at about 20 seconds in the FDV hiss can be heard once then it repeats a few more times later.

http://vid139.photobucket.com/albums/q3 ... 4jqg3u.mp4

Does this sound like the noise yours makes?

Yes thats the sound just more frequent, cheers

[aerodynamica]

Yes it's normal they made the sound from new. If you can get it easy enough I'd replace the accumulator sphere. G