C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Dommo
Posts: 1191
Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
My Cars: Current
07 C5 VTX+ 2.2 HDi 173hp
97 S1 Activa
06 Boxster S
93 XM 2.1 Turbo SD

Previous cars
91 Toyota Soarer UZZ32 Active Suspension
97 S1 VSX 1.9 Turbo D
99 Xantia Activa
98 2.1TD Xantia
99 306
x 19

C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by Dommo »

Hello all.

I've had a quick search but it's hard to find any definitive answers, is there one particular place that is best to go to for replacement C5 spheres? I would like them to have the same membrane as the OEM spheres, so clearly Citroen is the obvious choice, but do other aftermarket sphere manufacturers make them for the C5 with the improved membrane?

Alternatively, can Pleaides re-gas the spheres? Or do they pop once you try to do that because of the infamous sphere spike?

Can they be pressure tested in the same way as LHM spheres can?

Cheers, Dom.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37014
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5648

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Dom

This has to be a matter of personal preference and price to be honest. The Original Citroen spheres are without doubt the most robust and will provide greater longevity. The aftermarket sphere producers do not to my knowledge use the same manufacturing processes for the membranes and are not of the same quality. Obviously they are cheaper.

The C5 saucer spheres are not intended to be re-gassed and inside the C5 saucer spheres there are 3 spikes that are designed to puncture the membrane when the pressure gets too low. Pleaides also state this is why they don't regas them as by the time these new spheres need doing - they are at the end of their useful life. That was back in 2008, so things may have changed now.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Dommo
Posts: 1191
Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
My Cars: Current
07 C5 VTX+ 2.2 HDi 173hp
97 S1 Activa
06 Boxster S
93 XM 2.1 Turbo SD

Previous cars
91 Toyota Soarer UZZ32 Active Suspension
97 S1 VSX 1.9 Turbo D
99 Xantia Activa
98 2.1TD Xantia
99 306
x 19

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by Dommo »

Thank you for the speedy response. What you say is as I'd expect, it's a shame you have to go to Citroen for the decent membrane isn't it!

What are your opinions of new old stock genuine spheres/saucers? I remember Jim stating that NOS spheres don't tend to lose gas, is this still the consensus?

Thanks again.
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

When I bought spheres for my Xantia I got good service from AEP Direct. You might want to consider them for C5 spheres.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37014
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5648

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Dommo wrote: 15 Sep 2017, 19:07 Thank you for the speedy response. What you say is as I'd expect, it's a shame you have to go to Citroen for the decent membrane isn't it!

What are your opinions of new old stock genuine spheres/saucers? I remember Jim stating that NOS spheres don't tend to lose gas, is this still the consensus?

Thanks again.

The new saucer spheres have a triple layer membrane so gas seepage is much reduced. This should ensure a much longer life. I wouldn't be too worried about shelf life as they wont be under the additional pressure when being operational on the car.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Dommo
Posts: 1191
Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
My Cars: Current
07 C5 VTX+ 2.2 HDi 173hp
97 S1 Activa
06 Boxster S
93 XM 2.1 Turbo SD

Previous cars
91 Toyota Soarer UZZ32 Active Suspension
97 S1 VSX 1.9 Turbo D
99 Xantia Activa
98 2.1TD Xantia
99 306
x 19

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by Dommo »

Thanks chaps.

Do we assume then that pressure is still lost while the system is pressurised, rather than just sitting on a shelf? I'll have a poke around on ebay for some new old stock spheres, if not I shall resort to Citroen but would rather not as for 6 spheres it soon gets expensive.

Cheers
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by Stickyfinger »

As they last so well scrap yards are a good source.....
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37014
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5648

Re: C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Dommo wrote: 18 Sep 2017, 21:45 Thanks chaps.

Do we assume then that pressure is still lost while the system is pressurised, rather than just sitting on a shelf? I'll have a poke around on ebay for some new old stock spheres, if not I shall resort to Citroen but would rather not as for 6 spheres it soon gets expensive.

Cheers

There has to be some loss - albeit much more reduced than the earlier green spheres, owing to the new triple layer membranes. If there was no gas loss, then they would last forever. For them to guarantee the system as maintenance free for 200k KM or 5 years under operational conditions (or 'on the car') should tell you a lot about the reliability.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Post Reply