C5 Sphere pressure testing and replacements

[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.

[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.

[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]

When I bought spheres for my Xantia I got good service from AEP Direct. You might want to consider them for C5 spheres.

[GiveMeABreak]

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.

[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

[Stickyfinger]

As they last so well scrap yards are a good source.....

[GiveMeABreak]

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.