Citroen C5 - Changing LDS fluid

[Cupi34]

I have recently gotten a Citroen c5 2.0i 2006. I was checking the hydraulic fluid level, the fluid didn't look good. It has no colour to it. Looks a little grey maybe, and very thick and dirty.

When I open the LDS cap it smells like old power steering fluid. A little bit burning smell that comes when a power steering fluid is old and needs to be replaced.

I have no experience with changing LDS fluid on a Citroen, so what's the easiest way to change the fluid?

[EDC5]

I'd wait for a more experienced opinion but what I did was open the bleed nipple on the front suspension strut and allow it to drain down a hose into a container. And again for the rear bleed nipple located by the rear centre spheres. This got most of it out, then top it up in the normal way.

The other method I considered was to use a large pipette to extract as much fluid as I can from the fluid tank with the suspension on low however this wouldn't replace it all and in your situation I think you could do with a full change.

[Cupi34]

Correction, I cannot actually see the fluid when the car is set to low position. The only thing I saw was a hard round plastic cover (I guess) inside the tank. Should this be there by the way?

So I don't actually know what the fluid looks like. However, when I open the LDS cap it smells like old power steering fluid when the engine is hot. The smell is not too strong, but it is there.

So is this type of smell normal from LDS fluid?

[EDC5]

The LDS should just about be visible when on low at the bottom of the 'basket' you describe in the filler of the tank.

Here is some LDS:



I'm not au fait with the smell of power steering fluid so I can't help on that front but if in doubt then replacing the fluid will do no harm.

[GiveMeABreak]

Here's the procedure for a MK II Drain and Refill:

• Start the engine.
• Place the suspension height control in the "LOW" position.
• Stop the engine.
• Raise the vehicle and support on axle stands, wheels free.

Open the LDS fluid reservoir cap.
Remove:

• The front right wheel
• The front right mud guard

Remove the collar (1) Using tool [1].
Uncouple the hose ( 2) from the LDS fluid reservoir.
Drain the LDS fluid reservoir.

Refilling
Connect the hose ( 2).
Refit:

• A new clamping collar ( 1)
• The front right mud guard
• The front right wheel

[*]Return the vehicle to its wheels.

Open the plug ( 3).
Add LDS fluid until the level is between the minimum mark "b" and the maximum mark "a".

Bleeding

• Apply a pressure of 0,5 bar in the LDS fluid reservoir (using a FACOM 920 tool).
• Start the engine.
• Wait for the vehicle height to stabilise.
• Place the suspension height control in the "HIGH" position.
• Place the suspension height control in the "LOW" position.
• Turn the steering from lock to lock in each direction.
• Stop the engine.
• Check the LDS fluid level.

Some have used a bicycle pump or similar to get some pressure going in instead of the 'tool' referred to.

[Cupi34]

Thanks,

Should the car be put on axle stands only on the right side? (Only the right side which is lifted up)

Why do I need a new clamping collar (1)? (Can I not use the old one)

[Hell Razor5543]

While I cannot offer advise over the collar I do know that Paul (citroenxm) was able to BLOW hard enough into the LDS reservoir for it to achieve the required pressure. However, I have the bits to make an LDS cap with a tyre valve so I can, with a couple of strokes of a bike pump, pressurise the system without getting my mouth dirty.

[myglaren]

What about the fluid n the power steering circuit?

[GiveMeABreak]

Fed from the same reservoir Steve as you know, but you’ll never get it all out. Maybe slightly more will be released back into the tank using a Lexia to depressurise the system. But sufficient to replace most of the fluid using the manual method. The system is self bleeding for the most part, but the steeeing specific part is covered in the bleeding section.

[myglaren]

As I suspected.
I'm sure that disconnecting the pipes at the rack is just asking for trouble.

[Gibbo2286]

The hose No2 in the picture has a join at the bottom which is easier to separate than the one (No 1) at the top, the hose can then be dangled in a bowl on the floor to save getting drowned in oil.

You would only need to remove No1 if you were intending to remove the reservoir.

[Cupi34]

Does anyone know how much LDS oil is needed to fill up the tank after draining?

[411514]

Does anyone know how much LDS oil is needed to fill up the tank after draining?

No, I don't. I would guess however at about 2 litres. In the UK at least LDS can be gotten relatively cheaply, so if I were you I would buy 3 litres and I should imagine that will be plenty.

[Gibbo2286]

This do?

[myglaren]

Does anyone know how much LDS oil is needed to fill up the tank after draining?

When all mine leaked out I put 4L in and it wasn't enough.