Xantia Dilemma

[froggy]

Hi, just put my S1 Xantia in for MOT. failed on corroded exhaust , ball joint (front ns) and the guy said" there is hydraulic fluid leaking from a "unit" from behind the engine bulkhead. He had spoken to his suppliers who rolled their eyes and said "no chance " or something like it. In his opinion its not viable to do and I should scrap it !!! she is very tidy and a lovely drive. my questions are, what is the unit and is it possible to still get one even if its secondhand, I hope someone can help, many thanks Terry.

[GiveMeABreak]

We’d really need to know where exactly it is leaking from. It could be steering rack pipes for models with PS, or the front or rear supply or return piping etc.

Do you even know if it is LHM that is leaking? That is easy to determine from the colour and smell generally if it is dripping. That would indicate whether hydraulic fluid or not to start with.

If you have the VIN I can pop up some diagrams so you can try and get the suspect area identified.

It really needs to be on a ramp and looked at by a somebody with knowledge of Citroen hydraulics. The area should be cleaned up first and then checked to determine the location of the leak. So I’m guessing the issue is now that you can’t drive it without the MOT?

[froggy]

Hi, thanks for the reply. the MOT ran out on Friday, and its currently at the garage , so I am unable to take any photos, The mechanic tells me its leaking Hydraulic fluid . its position is very difficult to access.

[MikeT]

My first thought would be front height corrector as it's pretty much in your face when under the car "behind the bulkhead".

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi, thanks for the reply. the MOT ran out on Friday, and its currently at the garage , so I am unable to take any photos, The mechanic tells me its leaking Hydraulic fluid . its position is very difficult to access.

If you want diagrams I need the VIN - there are just too many variations and options without it.

[myglaren]

Brake doseur possibly?

[froggy]

its coming from the brake valve, oozing out ! is it still possible to source seals ?

[Jaf]

I’ve changed the seals on mine. Twice (second time didn’t need to). When it was the seals the LHM dripped along onto the pedals inside the car, made LHM footprints everywhere I went. Then one of the pipes to the brake doseur cracked, the LHM dripped off onto the floor. Might be your leak is a pipe rather than a seal?

[xantia_v6]

The seals are available, but it is unusual for any except the rubber cap inside the car to fail. A leak on the engine side is usually a hose or pipe or a loose fitting.

[froggy]

Many thanks, Terry

[Huskyxantia]

How's the car now ?