C5 X7 LDS cap mod

[C5newbie]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum so sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place. Ive recently bought a C5 X7....my first Citroen and actually my first french car . It has hydro active suspension and I've read all the jacking up procedures on here regarding raising the car and then loosening LDS cap. Im considering making a special cap just for when the car is getting serviced/MOTd/tyres changed which will allow more air through (paranoid about mechanics not following instructions). So my questions are:

1. Can I simply fit a cap with a much larger hole eg 10 to 15mm (perhaps also put some fine mesh on it to prevent contaminants falling in)
2. if this is not possible can i not just put a one way pneumatic check valve in line with the cap that will allow air to be sucked in from the outside during lifting but will close when in operation? if so, what pressure can i expect the LDS tank to experience during operation?

thanks

[Hell Razor5543]

There are (on this forum) some labels you can print off and stick (one under the bonnet, and a temporary one on the steering wheel) on the car;

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=62058

I would not make any modifications to the car, as it may cause unforeseen consequences. When I had to have wheel work done I would take the protective cover off (before I went to the garage), and then, before they started work, loosened off the cap myself. However, the garage said they would have to remember that trick, as any C5 they worked on before gave them troubles in recovering their jacks. On my C5, when they lowered her back down, she remained at full service height (which is where I left her), and the jacks could be easily pulled out.

You don't need to remove the cap, just loosen it about halfway between tight and off. Enough air should get past to keep things tidy.

[C5newbie]

thanks Hell Razor5543. Yes I've seen the stickers, going to stick a few inside the car too on driver side just to be sure but Im so paranoid! What would happen if the car didn't have an LDS cap on and I started the engine running? would fluid go all over the place?

[Hell Razor5543]

Not unless there is a fault with the system! On the C5 the hydraulics are driven by an electric motor (and not, as with 'green blooded' Citroens, from a pump connected to the engine), and are electronically controlled.

If you take the cap off you may see there is already a form of mesh in the orifice to prevent anything getting into the reservoir.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum so sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place. Ive recently bought a C5 X7....my first Citroen and actually my first french car . It has hydro active suspension and I've read all the jacking up procedures on here regarding raising the car and then loosening LDS cap. Im considering making a special cap just for when the car is getting serviced/MOTd/tyres changed which will allow more air through (paranoid about mechanics not following instructions). So my questions are:

1. Can I simply fit a cap with a much larger hole eg 10 to 15mm (perhaps also put some fine mesh on it to prevent contaminants falling in)
2. if this is not possible can i not just put a one way pneumatic check valve in line with the cap that will allow air to be sucked in from the outside during lifting but will close when in operation? if so, what pressure can i expect the LDS tank to experience during operation?

thanks

What year is your X7? They provided a modified cap on later models - but it won't cope with a high return rate of fluid flooding back into the tank if the guidance is not followed. So when lifting her up where the wheels are going to be unsupported and dangling freely - always raise to highest suspension setting first and remove the LDS cap. When lowered back to the ground, reset to normal height setting and replace the LDS cap. Basically don't leave your car with a tyre fitter! Ialways perform this part of the operation myself and watch them like a hawk. Don't modify the cap, as the system is pressurised.

[C5newbie]

my X7 is an 09 plate so an earlier one I assume. I will just do the same then. I need to leave it at a garage to change some rubber CV boots so i will stick around until the car is off the ground and then pop back before they finish. Strange decision by Citroen though as this looks like they could have designed around this. Thanks for the advice everybody!