My replacement Xantia Accumulator sphere looks different to the one off the car

[kenbw2]

So I've taken the sphere off, and found the inside of it is different to the one I intend to replace it with. It was listed on eBay as an accumulator sphere: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273678578484

The one on the left is the one I bought, the right is what came off the car:





Does this matter?

[xantia_v6]

That is not an accumulator sphere, from the number and description on the box, it appears to be a front suspension sphere for a Xantia without hydractive suspension.

Don't fit it as an accumulator sphere, as the damper elements will prevent proper operation.

[kenbw2]

Yea I found this out earlier today. eBay seller's claiming it was accurately described so no refund. God damn.

I'm gonna look into possibly getting the sphere regassed, failing that replaced, failing that use the anti sink sphere as a makeshift accumulator.

God damn. I knew having a Citroen in Oz was going to be a liability

[xantia_v6]

An anti-sink sphere should be OK as a main accumulator sphere.

[kenbw2]

I did want to replace the anti sink sphere, if I do use it as a stopgap accumulator, will it still be okay to put on the back once I get a proper accumulator sorted?

[xantia_v6]

Yes

[Mandrake]

Yea I found this out earlier today. eBay seller's claiming it was accurately described so no refund. God damn.

Open an official Ebay return/complaint, (via the return item action on the listing) and you should be covered by Ebay. A photo showing the two side by side should be a slam dunk in proving that the goods are not as described, although in general Ebay will just take your word for it without requiring evidence. (!)

Once you open a return Ebay first allow the seller a certain number of days (7 from memory) to respond and put the situation right, if they don't, Ebay will give you the registered return address for the seller with a postage paid label that you can use to courier the item back to the seller with recorded delivery, once it arrives and Ebay gets the delivery confirmation direct from the courier Ebay will refund you without the cooperation of the seller, by forcibly debiting it from the sellers account.

I bought a second hand baby bottle maker for £60 that was dead on arrival, the seller was very chatty until it arrived and I reported the fault then went silent on me. (obviously sold knowing it didn't work) I thought because I had not used Paypal to pay (I used debit card) that I would not be covered, (as the Ebay terms and service seems to make this out) however this is not true, after contacting Ebay support they confirmed you are covered for all Ebay purchases, not just those made using Paypal. I went through the official return/complaint process, the seller remained silent for the 7 day period, ebay gave me a shipping label, I shipped it back and got my refund from Ebay, all without any communication from the seller who had totally blanked me. Took about 10 days in total.

So if the seller isn't cooperative put them through the official ebay returns process and you will get your money back. Failing that if you used Paypal to pay, paypal has their own refund process that leans heavily towards the purchaser, and a photograph of the items is probably sufficient to get a refund from Paypal, however I would try following the Ebay returns process first.

[Mandrake]

An anti-sink sphere should be OK as a main accumulator sphere.

I'm not so sure about that. An anti-sink sphere while having no damper valve only has a 3.5mm pipe union hole, so the flow diameter is very small.

Probably OK in an emergency but I would not recommend it otherwise as it is still probably going to cause hammering of the pump and supply pipe from the pump to the pressure regulator. (Although not as bad as a completely punctured accumulator sphere to be fair!)

[GiveMeABreak]

I did want to replace the anti sink sphere, if I do use it as a stopgap accumulator, will it still be okay to put on the back once I get a proper accumulator sorted?

I don't have your VIN - there were 2 versions of 2.0 16V petrol MK Is - 16v and a 16V 135. This will help with future issues.

[white exec]

You can also use Hydractive centre spheres interchangeably with the Accumulator sphere; neither has a damper insert, and both have the large 6mm hole. 62bar for the Acc sphere.

[Stickyfinger]

Grey flats can be used as well.....for some

[kenbw2]

Yea I found this out earlier today. eBay seller's claiming it was accurately described so no refund. God damn.

Open an official Ebay return/complaint, (via the return item action on the listing) and you should be covered by Ebay. A photo showing the two side by side should be a slam dunk in proving that the goods are not as described, although in general Ebay will just take your word for it without requiring evidence. (!)

So if the seller isn't cooperative put them through the official ebay returns process and you will get your money back. Failing that if you used Paypal to pay, paypal has their own refund process that leans heavily towards the purchaser, and a photograph of the items is probably sufficient to get a refund from Paypal, however I would try following the Ebay returns process first.

Unfortunately I'm past the 30 days since I bought it and the seller is deciding they don'[t have to do anything, but I'll give the Paypal option a go, thanks.

I'm not so sure about that. An anti-sink sphere while having no damper valve only has a 3.5mm pipe union hole, so the flow diameter is very small.

Probably OK in an emergency but I would not recommend it otherwise as it is still probably going to cause hammering of the pump and supply pipe from the pump to the pressure regulator. (Although not as bad as a completely punctured accumulator sphere to be fair!)

I'm hoping for anything better than the very flat accumulator I have right now. Sounds like a better stopgap but far from a long term solution.

[Mandrake]

You can also use Hydractive centre spheres interchangeably with the Accumulator sphere; neither has a damper insert, and both have the large 6mm hole. 62bar for the Acc sphere.

Hydractive centre spheres would indeed work well for a temporary accumulator sphere. Front ones are 70 bars (or 75 bars for the smaller 450cc ones) and 50 bars for the rear ones - all close enough to 62 bars that you wouldn't notice a difference.

[Mandrake]

Unfortunately I'm past the 30 days since I bought it and the seller is deciding they don'[t have to do anything, but I'll give the Paypal option a go, thanks.

So when you go to the purchase in your ebay history and click on the action button for the item there isn't a return option ?

The returns process doesn't need the co-operation of the seller, that's the point of the ebay protection scheme, which is to protect against dodgy sellers.

As it's over 30 days I'm not sure what your situation is as I reported my dead on arrival purchase in under 2 weeks. I would recommend contacting ebay customer support by email or live chat and explaining the situation, you might still be in luck. As you paid with Paypal if Ebay can't help I would definitely open a dispute via Paypal on the transaction.

Pity you didn't open the box a bit sooner.

[Gibbo2286]

I think you need to look at the seller's listing, if it is, as he says, listed correctly and the buyer has made a mistake it might be less easy to get a refund if he's not a business seller.