C5 II slow first rise

[dulenator]

Hi all!

I have an issue with the lazy suspension.
When the standard rising procedure is executed (opening/unlocking doors), I've noticed that it takes much longer for the car to rise to its standard riding height in the last few days.

The pump is working, but nothing happens for about 15-20 seconds and then goes up at the usual pace. After that, it is possible to get to the highest position without any issues.
Before, it would go up almost immediately after the pump started working.

There is enough fluid and I've gone through the bleeding procedure (to double check), so there should be no air pockets.
I see no leaks and the fluid level is correct and not moving a bit.

I don't know where else to look because everything seems to be ok and nothing has been done to the suspension lately.

[GiveMeABreak]

Car battery. If it's weak or in poor condition, then it can affect the electrical operation of the vehicle. As the suspension correction takes place on unlocking and causes the pump to operate on battery power, this can add to battery drain problems. So this would be my first thought, in the absence of any fault codes.

Although you may not have starting issues, if the battery is 5 years old or over, then it probably needs changing.

[dulenator]

The battery is new, replaced four months ago. The old one was bad, but it worked without issues, except that cranking was slow.
The new one is spinning the starter like there is no tomorrow and the voltage is good.

If any other solution doesn't come up, it is pump rebuilding/cleaning time!

[GiveMeABreak]

Well true, it is possible that the pump motor is suffering from carbon build up from worn bushes.... worse if there's any LDS that has gotten into it.

[dulenator]

I will not touch it until it dies completely because I don't have enough time on my hands right now, although it's probably the best time of the year...

The used ones are around 130€, so I will buy one of those, rebuild it, and wait for judgment day.

Are there any differences between pumps? Almost everyone I found is advertising them as universal for C5 from 2000 to 2008.

[GiveMeABreak]

The part for the HP pump for your VIN is listed as 5277C1 (to be configured) or
5277C2 (for pre-configured from VIN).

[dulenator]

Thank you very much for the info!
It's time to burn some cash on our loved ones.

[dulenator]

I'm sorry for being a pain in the neck.

I have a new discovery!
It's not the pump but something else and I hope I will find out what it is.

This rise and fall issue is now really bad because the front falls within seconds and the pump is working overtime to keep the correct height.

But the new thing is hissing noise from the right front shock! There is a little bit of oil on the top of the shock, but nothing spectacular and that hissing sounds like air coming out!?
When I set the height in the middle or highest position, there is no hissing and the car stays up.

Now I'm completely confused because and don't know if the shock is gone or something else because it stays up when lifted higher than standard ride height. Also, I can't pinpoint where the sound is coming from because it's impossible to get close to the shock from the sphere.

I found and ordered a used (cheap and good ) pump, but I think I will also need a new shock(s)...

[GiveMeABreak]

You may well have one of the seals gone in the shock, or again it may be the hydraulic block - hard to say, but of course it won't do the pump motor any good having to work overtime to keep the fluid pressurised to suspend the car. This is going to lead to the motor overheating and blowing the fuse, so it needs investigating.

I would suggest keeping the battery disconnected (BSI Reset / Battery Disconnect / Reconnect Procedure) until you can sort out a suitable workshop / garage, so that the pump is not constantly trying to correct the height.

[dulenator]

A suitable workshop/garage would be me (and my friend, if needed).

Yeah, I've disconnected the battery to save the pump.

Can you please give me part no. for the front shocks (VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff])?
I tried to find them in some of the shops in our country but without any luck.

At least there should be plenty of used ones on the market...

[GiveMeABreak]

No worries:

The left Strut is part: 5271H4
The Right Strut is part: 5271H5

Both no longer available from Citroen.

[dulenator]

Thanks a bunch!

I'll try to dig out a new part. If not, there are (probably) still good used ones out there...

[GiveMeABreak]

Yep, unfortunately that's the way it's going, even the later C5 X7 is now suffering with parts issues for suspension, especially the pipes.

[dulenator]

Just an update, if there is anyone interested in this topic.

Because I had nothing to lose with the old shock, I tried to tighten the nut on the top (no. 10) and voila, it worked!
It seems that the nut has loosened itself a little because the hissing started after I hit one beautiful big pothole.

I bought used shocks, so I'll keep them for backup because they won't be any cheaper.

[GiveMeABreak]

Good for you , lucky you have the old system as there's no repair on the X7 struts - it's a complete replacement.