Citroen C5 MK3 hydraulic leak

[moizjazz]

Good afternoon all,

I am a new member on this forum and have often visited the forum for some very useful technical information. So far I have always managed to find an answer but this time I just need help please.

I have owned a Citroen c5 MK X7 2011 (2.0HDI) exclusive for the last 4 years. Car has done 132k so far. About 6 months ago, car failed its MOT on a leak from driver side front suspension. I got the front strut replaced (too expensive!!) and that allowed me to pass the MOT. Car was running smoothly with no issues. Then a week ago I took the car out for a long drive (125miles) and then parked it overnight. In the morning, I noticed car was sitting very low and when tried to drive off, it was jumping all over the place and was very hard. Stopped the car at the side, and got out only to see a big pool of oil where I had parked! The oil pool was near front suspension which made me think the worst. I got in the car again and tried to raise height of suspension, but no movement seen. The car was stuck 'low'. I opened the suspension fluid tank to check level and I couldn't see any level near the 'A' or 'B' mark from manuals suggesting most of it had drained out.

So took the car to a friend's garage, put the car on jacks, popped the hood to try and find the leak. The strut seems fine (thankfully) but we noticed a very wet pipe right at the back (behind the front suspension on driver side) very difficult to get to. Pictures attached. Can anyone please help me identify this pipe? Not sure if it is for the suspension or is it steering?

Thank you!

[GiveMeABreak]

It's actually hard to see where this is as the picture is zoomed. so hard to identify, however if it is where you say it is and it isn't the strut, then I would be looking at the steering rack (multiple issues and threads on the Forum regarding these on the X7), or you may have a burst LDs tank or leak from there.

Incidentally, the LDS should be between the A and B marks only when the suspension is on the lowest setting. If you have inadvertently filled it up to these levels on normal height, you may well have over-filled the tank leading to a split.

So you can remove the rubber plug from the inside of the car where the steering column goes into the floor and see what sort of condition the pinion is from above. If it is pretty well rusted up and you can see oil coming out, from t here or signs of it having done, then that is a likely oils seal failure where the rust has distorted the o ring seals. That will need a new or refurbished rack.

Failing that, check underneath (make sure the car is supported independently of the suspension) and loot at the pipes going into the rack and see if there is signs of oil leaking from these.

[KennyW]

Can this be the front suspension supply pipe which runs from the pump to the struts ? Item 3 in the front supply suspension diagram on service citroen.

Very difficult to tell from photo's

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

It'll be a first on me if it is Kenny - but I'll be interested to know for sure

[KennyW]

The only other supply pipe is rear one but again most unusual for it to go in the engine bay.

Where did you take the photo's from ? This may help identify the pipe.

Kenny

[moizjazz]

Thank you all for the replies and apologies for the lateness of my reply. I have not actually touched the LDS fluid level at all and the tank is at the front of the strut where as the leaks to be from a pipe behind the strut.

I did think it might be the steering rack, but I did not notice any issues with the steering at all. Works perfectly fine when moving steering through full lock positions.

I will upload a video to youtube and share the link. This might help identifying the item hopefully?

[moizjazz]

Please see link below;

[KennyW]

Okay, that makes things a bit clearer, it's NOT any of the steering pipes as they run around the subframe basically.

That is the location of pipes which supply the front and rear suspension as well as the return pipes. A real pain to access.

The pipes run down the bulkhead behind a plastic cover.

Can you tell if the pipe is metal or plastic ? As this will determine if it is the high pressure supply or low pressure return.

I'm sure others will be along and give their thoughts on the pipe.

Kenny

[moizjazz]

The pipe looks like it is metallic.

[GiveMeABreak]

Which of the areas shown A-D is the leak coming from - I might be able to get a bit more detail if you can narrow it down:

Click Image to Zoom

[KennyW]

Marc,

I think it is the front supply pipe in image C but how it corroded there I don't know. But without physically checking myself I could be wrong.

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok so these are the likely possibilities if in the Front Suspension Zone:

Preliminary operations:

• Place the vehicle on a lift
• Remove the under engine protection
• Remove the splash shield
• Remove the front wheels

Zone	Probability	Component to be checked first	Locating the leak
"L"	Average	Sealing of the sphere on the suspension actuator - Stage L1	Sealing of the sphere on the suspension actuator
"M"	Average	Sealing of the flexible pipes on the RH suspension oil supply tube- Stage M1	Sealing of the sphere on the suspension actuator

So assuming it is in Section 'M'

Stage M1 - High pressure piping (Front RH suspension)

Locating the Leak

Sealing: Crimping on piping Probability: Average Possible Causes: Crimping on piping Body of the pipe porous and/or damaged Access: Average Repair: Replace the low pressure piping

[moizjazz]

Thank you very much Marc and Kenny! This will need some fare bit of stripdown! Will get back to you guys as soon as I have more information!

[moizjazz]

Hi Marc. Sorry reading through the steps you have mentioned, the final point mentions 'replace low pressure piping'? I thought leak might be from HP pipe? Could you please kindly clarify? What is the metal tubing that can be seen in the background of 'C'?

[GiveMeABreak]

Depends which pipes - they could be the front / rear supply or return piping. I know these are not the easiest to make out.

I no longer have my X7 now, and when I had my steering racks done and the rear suspension pipe, I left it all to my dealer to sort. Those pipes can be either high or low pressure depending on which ones they are, so I'd treat them as HP to be safe in case they've made a type - it won't be the first time.