C5 X7 suspension pump

[Tasie C5]

Hello all from West Australia.
My car has blown the suspension motor pump fuse. I believe the problem may be a clogged up commutator on the motor as the replacement fuse has also blown. A gentleman named Ellis has submitted a very informative post showing how he resolved the same issue on this forum.My question is, can the motor commutator and brushes be accessed without removing the whole assembly from the car?. There are no Citroen specialists within 250km of where I am so I was hoping I will be able to carry out the work myself.
Also, if I have to drive to Perth from where I am would it be OK for me to drive for 2.5 hours at 90km/hour without damaging the car.

Allan Flintoff.

[Kees]

Yes, you have to remove 2 nuts inside the right side behind the mud protector, then you can lift it, so you can access the bolts at the back of the motor.
P s . You have to drain the LDS.

[Tasie C5]

Thank you Kees. Do you know if I will be OK driving 250km with the suspension on the low setting. Allan.

[Tasie C5]

I am wondering why the car has reverted to the low position when it was in normal when I parked it and low after I came to use it again.Why didn't it stay in normal height as it normally would when parked. I don't think it's a leak as the reservoir level is normal.

[dulenator]

Mine leaked but no oil was missing, just air hissing from the top of the strut. The pump worked more than it should, but I noticed the issue on time and saved the motor.

P.S.
You'll also have to remove two upper steel (or some other type of metal ) pipes and one lower hose for the power steering pump. I had to unscrew and lower the steering pump to access one of the two bolts holding the suspension pump.

[Ceenine]

Is anyone able to answer Allan’s query why his car dropped to low when at rest .
Don

[xantia_v6]

Thank you Kees. Do you know if I will be OK driving 250km with the suspension on the low setting. Allan.

I don't think that would be a good idea. The suspension would be sitting on the rubber bump stops, which themselves would probably disintegrate with the stress and vibration, leaving no suspension at all (other than the tyre sidewalls), which may result in damage to other components.

I would take it to ANY mechanic with instructions from this forum, rather than a 250km drive without suspension.

[Kees]

@TassieC5:

The reason i think is, that in the pomp itself is an small accumulator.
When this is empty, there is no pressure left, to keep the car up.
I also think there is a valve witch stays open.
Greetings,
Kees.

[Kees]

@Ceenine:
Did you see my answer about your question?
Greetings,
Kees

[Ceenine]

Kees, Yes, I have read your message, thank you. It probably means that the problem of my friend Allan’s car is related to the pump entirely and nothing else (hopefully). Mind you, I think he may have killed a black cat recently (an Australian saying when you have had a run of bad luck).

I am coming to understand the intricacies of hydraulic suspension systems and why Stellantis have abandoned this fabulous but expensive system.

[Stickyfinger]

I am coming to understand the intricacies of hydraulic suspension systems and why Stellantis have abandoned this fabulous but expensive system.

The pump has been in service with zero servicing/in a harsh environment for how many years ?

Nothing lasts forever....it may have done if it had been removed, cleaned etc..........Suspension pumps need to be regarded as a service item theses days.

[citro6hydra]

Resist the temptation to drive anywhere without suspension, as Xantia_v6 wrote and the bump stops will almost certainly disintegrate ground clearance will be minimal and you risk serious underbody damage.

The pump motor repair is not really difficult and has been covered in more than one article. Anyone who can follow a procedure can do it, you aren't doing anything other than draining the hydraulic tank removing the pump assy cleaning the motor parts with a solvent and reassembling (keep the solvent away from the bronze motor bearing).

ENSUREyou apply positive pressure to the surface of the fluid in the reservoir before and during the initial pump startup as it won't self prime. This is covered in all the articles and I think Haynes as well. If left running without prime the motor can / will destroy itself as it will run until it attains system pressure which of course won't happen.
The accumulator in this assy is a very small unit intended only for damping out any small pulsations in the pump output.

It isn't a difficult repair and please keep the forum posted

[Tasie C5]

I did not attempt the 500km round trip. The car is booked in on Wednesday for the pump motor to be cleaned. I hope this is all there is to repair. The car has just done a 4,000km trip from Tasmania to West Australia. Overall it has covered 225,000 km. Great car for touring in Australia. 0ver 1,000km on 1 tankful. Thanks All. Allan.

[citro6hydra]

Hi again,
Very good news, just curious have you spare LDS fluid ? as you will lose a little but with care this should be minimal, and at the risk of sounding like a nag find a way to pressurise the LDS tank to ! Psi or 7 Kpa or just a tad more before starting the pump. I've heard of it being done by mouth but probably better lungs than mine.

It should all go well, let's know progress!

[citro6hydra]

Hi again,
Very good news, just curious have you spare LDS fluid ? as you will lose a little but with care this should be minimal, and at the risk of sounding like a nag find a way to pressurise the LDS tank to ! Psi or 7 Kpa or just a tad more before starting the pump. I've heard of it being done by mouth but probably better lungs than mine.

It should all go well, let's know progress!