Xantia Sx LHM leak.

[stevestix8]

Hi All,

Time for another post, as it's MOT time again, same car coming up to 26 year old!

Just been for MOT and they decided not to test it, but at no cost (MOT's not due until middle of November).

Problem being that there appears to be a slow leak of LHM just by the driver side rear wheel arch.

Seemed very strange to me as there is no problem with the brakes or power steering and it is keeping the ride height and not sinking down.

Either way, I am thinking it may have happened recently and does appear to be leaking.

Will have a look myself and try to reseat anything that may be out of place but it might need difficult to get parts. Have got a section of the copper piping, which is difficult enough to get, but it may need some sort of connector fitting to fix.

Any advice?

Steve

[xantia_v6]

You need to get under the car and search for the leak, but you must support the car with good axle stands (or a lift), never trust the suspension to stay up.

Common leakage points at the rear are:

• The rubber bellows on the suspension rams
• The seal between the sphere and suspension ram
• A rubber coupling in the LHM return line above the rear subframe.

If LHM has spread everywhere, you may need to clean it off with a suitable degreaser to localise the leak.

[Stickyfinger]

"Slow leak" is normally a return system.....
As above but add the leak back pipe on the rear suspension ram.

The one above the subframe (a 3 way) can drip, travel across the subframe and drip down passed the rear suspension.
Also, the return pipes (rubber) above the subframe can fail/split.....

You will need to remove the spare wheel and its carrier to see anything under the car, simple, a single bolt but as said...AXLE STANDS or get the car on drive up ramps/set to high which will give much better access than axle stands.

If this is a problem you are welcome to pop down to Somerset and we can look together.

[stevestix8]

Hi All,

Thanks for responses, always appreciated information on this website.

Thanks to Stickyfinger for the offer of driving it to Somerset, I figured it was best to not drive it for now and the car has been sat there for few days and is covered in leaves.

Am taking it over to a Citroen specialist on the A38 tomorrow, to fix the LHM leak and "the suspension arm ball joint has slight play offside front" is also on the advisory list from last year, so am getting a few things done to sort it.

Thanks for any advice, there is only so much work I can do on it without having a lift to get under it properly.

Will post when MOT'd again.

Steve

[Stickyfinger]

Np....best of luck getting it leak free

[stevestix8]

Hi All,

Just to confirm I am pleased to say that my car passed the MOT today.

It took some welding (outer/inner cill, both wheel arches), bushes, rear brake discs/pads and a bulb change!

Anyway it passed the re-test at no extra cost and all the welding is sorted for hopefully many years to come.

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

[Stickyfinger]

Where was the leak from ??

Good news on the MoT pass.

[stevestix8]

Hi Sticky,

The LHM leak came from the coiled brake pipes, see pic of similar attached.

Mine was rusted through in places (26yr old pipework) and needed replacement.

Happy to keep my car going anyway as it's never let me down (in nearly 15 years) and you can't put a value on a lucky car.

Cheers for advice,

Steve