Milky LDS

[Bandit12]

I've just checked the LDS level on my 2009 exclusive and noticed the fluid is milky in colour and not orange.
Car drives ok and suspension goes up and down on command but does take longer than my old C5 used to.
Should I flush system?
Car is still under 3 month warranty from the local back Street dealer I bought it from. Is this a definite warranty issue?
Any advice is appreciated

Bandit

[Stickyfinger]

Has it been topped up with Screen Wash ?

[GiveMeABreak]

Or Anti freeze - even worse! I hope not and no, it is not supposed to be milky at all. I think that would be a very good start to replace the fluid and then check it again after the fluid has had time to circulate around the system in a month or so. It then may need another flush - but I dread to think what has been put in there and really hope this won't affect the seals or the overall system...

[Stickyfinger]

Agree, it should be a transparent "straw" colour.

I would go right back to the dealer and demand it is flushed .....by the main Citroen dealer as the local back Street dealer will not have the experience or the Lexia to be able to do it in a satisfactory way and in the recommended procedure. They MUST follow the procedure, you have the right to demand it is followed.

I feel a call to Citizens advice may be needed to make sure of the procedure for rejecting the car if required.

[bobins]

It's not large quantities of very fine bubbles making it appear milky, is it ?

[Bandit12]

Thanks fr advice n got no idea what's caused contamination. It didn't look like bubbles but emulsified oil.
Ill have a proper look tomorrow, take photos n siphon off a sample into a clean glass jar. Ill then challenge dealer n insist it's flushed at local Citroën garage n take it from there. Luckily part of the deal is AA 5 star guarantee on sale of car so if dealer refuses to help I'll go to them with photos etc.

[GiveMeABreak]

I would suggest that this is an important issue - as if the system is contaminated it may well lead to a rapid deterioration of the whole suspension system once the seals start to perish, not to mention the steering rack seals - ouch... If it is contaminated - it really will need draining and flushing several times and that will cost a few quid in labour and LDS - so keep at it. I can't say that I've ever noticed anything like you describe in the tanks of any of the C5s I've owned.

[EDC5]

This was the colour of mine when I jacked one side of the car up and it decided to depressurise itself for no reason.



After a while it went back to being orange. I must admit to being very concerned initially.

[Bandit12]

PHEW!" panic over... I think. I first dropped the suspension and looked on thursday afternoon which was when i saw the milky oil. I left the car in low position and then checked it again this morning. Thankfully it looked normal and is the right level. I then pumped the car up to max then minimum a few times and rechecked. Yup looked milky again but this time I took a much closer look and yes it looks like fine bubbles, I took photos but I think there is nothing to worry about. Sounds like EDC5 and I had similar experiences.
Really appreciate your advice tho guys cos the thought of having the suspension fail on a car I've only had for 3 weeks gave me a couple of sleepless nights I can tell you!

Bandit

[Bandit12]

P.S. the photo EDC5 took has only just loaded and yes it looks just like that but slightly darker.

Bandit

[GiveMeABreak]

Well at least it's not the whitish colour I was thinking from your description - so not likely to be an issue - as always a photo really helps

[Stickyfinger]

Mine does not bubble when raised or lowered, what is causing it ?

[GiveMeABreak]

The only thing I can think off is if there is a little air in the system that is getting compressed.

Bandit: Drop the car to high, then to lowest setting, leave engine running for a couple of minutes and then rotate wheel full lock, left and right a few times - straighten and then check and top up level. That should bleed it.

[Paul-R]

And make sure that you've checked the fluid level in the tank. If it's low air could be sucked in.

[EDC5]

Glad you're feeling a bit more reassured

When it happened on mine I was glad that I had loosened the cap as it was streaming out. I think the previous owner had overfilled the tank so when I depressurised it the extra oil overfilled the tank. I can see that with the lid tight on the tank may have blown up

From what I understand hydraulic oil contains a fair bit of dissolved air. I think when it's released through the narrow opening in the valve block back in to the reservoir this air escapes and froths up.