car on car lift, c5 pump continue to pump oil?

[AlvinCitroenC5]

Hi,

My C5's tire was low on air, so I placed the vehicle on a car lift to check if there is a nail in the front tire. Since the hand brake was engaged, thus not allowing me to rotate the tire to inspect it so I opened the door to disengage the hand brake, then the hydraulic suspension pump started working, pumping oil out if the little breather hole on the reservoir cap. Is this normal? Shouldn't the height sensors let the pump's computer know that the hydraulic rams that they are fully extended? Or do I need to adjust the sensor?

Thank you.

[GiveMeABreak]

There are plenty of advisories on the forum about this Alvin. If you are raising the car off the ground WITH THE WHEELS UNSUPPORTED, I.e left hanging freely, you should always raise the suspension to high first and remove the LDS cap on the tank before you do it.

If you don’t the weight of the wheels will create pressure against the system and a strain on the pump motor as it will be trying to retain a certain height. When lowering the car to the ground the pressure can cause oil to rush back into the tank and force it through the vent hole. There have been cases of burst tanks as a result of doing this! The vent hole cannot always release the pressure quick enough, causing the tank to burst at the seems or oil to gush out.

And yes, every time you open the car door or unlock it the pump activates to adjust the car height even with the engine off.

[AlvinCitroenC5]

Marc?

Thank you.