BX: Fast ticking disapear in high setting

ceder2.4s · Unread post by **ceder2.4s** » 10 Feb 2004, 18:33

Hi
First of all, thanks to the guys on this board for spending all that time helping others. I’ve been “guest” reading here for some month now, which have saved me a lot of time and money. A month ago I sold my beloved ´86 BX19RD. Not pretty but healthy. Instead I bought a ’90 BX TD. More pretty but including a lot of problems. One of the problems are fast ticking, 5-8 sec., from the p-regulator, in both normal- and low height setting. And it seems like the pump runs continuously while driving. Also the brakes seem to come in a bit late and are reluctant to let go again. But the power steering is working properly. The strange thing are, that when setting the height to high, the 5-8 sec. turns in to +30 sec., and all seems normal. Does any one have a clue what is wrong or what hydraulic component is left out, when setting the height to high???
Carsten

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 10 Feb 2004, 19:05

Normally I'd say accumulator sphere and if thats ok then the non-return valve on the regulator needs re-seating. (I'm sure instructions are given somewhere for this operation.)
The normal behaviour on full heeight has me baffled. My initial reaction is height controllers or struts and I think it must be the height controller as the front struts would be out of the circuit on low and if they were leaking that badly the return hoses would have blown off long ago.
Having said that I suppose with good spheres on full height the suspension spheres are acting like accumulators as the height correctors are open and the suspension is being stretched. This I suppose could produce a slowing of the cycling - which brings us back to the accumulator sphere and in particular the non-return valve.
Re-seating the valve is not difficult - I've done it on the car (BXTD) and makes a real difference.
jeremy

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 10 Feb 2004, 20:26

It seems to me the acc sphere is the main suspect here.
As Jeremy writes - it's indeed the case that the suspension spheres will act as accumulator spheres - as the height correctors never shuts off the pressure in highest setting. In this situation the full system pressure is constantly applied to the suspension.
Another point worth noting is that the front strut leak problem would be at most at normal height - and tend to lessen at highest setting.
I'd go for these corrective actions :
1) replace accumulator - then time the ticking interval with suspension in lowest setting and record it. Ticking intervals approx 2 minutes to be expected - the longer the better.
2) set the suspension to normal and now compare the ticking interval with first recorded.
If the ticking interval is now faster - you have moderate to severe leaks from the front struts.
3) If no noticeable differences observed in 2) & 3) - and still a fast ticking interval with new acc sphere - then it's fiddling time with the PR ball bearing valves.
Get the hydraulic system flushed as soon as possible with hydraflush - to try preserve the well functioning PAS servosteering.

ceder2.4s · Unread post by **ceder2.4s** » 10 Feb 2004, 22:02

Thanks guys. Off course, why didn’t I think of that: “the suspension spheres will act as accumulator spheres” when on full height. Seem obvious now. Well, without any chance of getting a new accumulator sphere today, I will try to re-seat the non-return valve this evening. A little thought: If having 4 spheres as accumulators, should they not be apple to keep the pressure up for more than 30 sec.?
Regarding my front struts, I think there are ok. The return pipe on the right was cut over when I got the car, and there has been no noticeably leak from it (now fixed).
About hydraflush: I remember to have read somewhere that the pump seems to wear out using hydraflush. Is this something you have heard of/experienced?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 10 Feb 2004, 22:36

Yes - the 4 suspension spheres does in fact make up for a rather large accumulator - even if they are "half-down" on pressure.
This suggests that there is a leak in the PR's ball valve. No doubt you'll try again once the ball have been reseated - and then we all know [;)]

ceder2.4s · Unread post by **ceder2.4s** » 10 Feb 2004, 23:15

Anders, hope you a still here. How do I get the little ball behind the accu sphere out? And the little piston. Seems to be stuck in there. I have removed the little plate now.
Carsten

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 11 Feb 2004, 16:07

Carsten -
With that litle bracket removed - you just need to fiddle out the ball - DEFINATELY leave the piston in place !
The ball is located in a bore off-center.
If the ball seems stuck - or just stuck by gravity - then use a magnet to recover the ball.
Once the ball is recovered clean out the orifice - then insert the ball again using a micro-tiny dap of grease to keep it located.
In some cases the ball may have a rusty surface -> new ball then.
Use a suitable softmetal rod - like brass, aluminium etc. to bang the ball against it's seat. Using steel directly against the ball will deform it.
Same procedure applies to the ball under the pressure release screw - though it's usually a lot more fiddly to reach here in front of the radiator.

ceder2.4s · Unread post by **ceder2.4s** » 11 Feb 2004, 19:02

Well, I got the ball out last evening. A little strike with a hammer on the other side of the PC made the ball pop right out. Nearly lost the damn thing down a drain... Think it was kept in place bye vacuum, because immediately after it came out, LHM started to poor out of a return pipe I had dismantled to gain better access. No sign of rust or deformity on any of the two balls. They looked nice. So I cleaned it all up and reassembled. Re-seated only the non return valve. Could not get enough space to re-seat the pressure relief valve. No change in clicking interval at all. Still got about 5 sec. between each click. So a new accumulator sphere is next...

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 11 Feb 2004, 19:18

The non-return ball bearing valve will open and shut rapidly during running and will wear its seat. The pressure relief valve is held on its seat by the screw and won't! - so don't worry about it.
Sounds as though your next job is the acumulator sphere. A good indication of a ruptured accumulator is the warning light going out rapidly. (no gas to compress!)
jeremy