C5 3.0 Exclusive Hdi Steering Pump Reservoir Explosion

[vealg]

Hi,

 

I'm a new member and wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced the steering pump reservoir exploding on a C5?

The car was in a garage up on a ramp having the tracking adjusted with the engine idling when the whole steering pump reservoir literally exploded with a huge bang and without any warning. I was with the mechanic at the time and witnessed the whole thing.

 

I'm obviously concerned that this has happened and wonder if anyone may have any ideas what may have caused this and how it could happen. Any feedback would appreciated.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Being an exclusive it will have the hydractive suspension which shares the same lds fluid reservoir as the steering pump. These reservoirs are known to occasionally split and leak, so it is not an unheard of problem. In the reservoir there is some pressure so if it does split then that is probably why there was a bang but if it happened whilst driving then maybe the noise would not be noticed. The reservoir should not be overfilled since this can lead to it failing and any checks on the level should be done with the suspension at the low setting and then with the engine switched off. A dealer should use diagnostic equipment to set the suspension to its correct low level. Only lds fluid should be used to top up the reservoir.

 

Is there any particular reason why the engine was left running whilst adjusting the tracking, other than to possibly maintain the correct height ? Whilst on the lift, were the wheels left hanging at all or were they always taking the weight of the car ? In Citroen's procedures it says to remove the reservoir cap if the wheels are going to be left hanging and then refit it once the wheels are on the ground again. When checking the suspension they say to have the tyres at the correct pressure, raise the suspension to max and then lower to normal with the ignition on and the handbrake off before doing the measurement checks.

 

Whilst on the forum have a look at the C5 Common Problems topic http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/20279-common-problems-rev-9122015/ . On the 2008 on C5 (X7) steering rack fluid leaks and front wiper motor failures are a couple of expensive ones.

[vealg]

Hi Paul,

 

Thanks very much for your reply. 

Not sure why the engine was running but they had in fact just finished doing the tracking and it was on another ramp to balance the wheels and the wheels were left hanging when the reservoir failed and they had not removed the cap.

They had had a great deal of trouble adjusting the tracking due to the constant changes with the suspension so useful advice on this thanks.

It's being recovered to a Citroen specialist for repairs so they should be well aware of procedures.

[paul.h]

If you ever need to jack your car up, for 2001 to 2008 C5s and this probably applies to 2008 on models and your car, the suspension should be raised to max height first and then the engine switched off. This is in the handbooks so will probably be in your handbook somewhere. This avoids the suspension moving and any possible problems of it not working afterwards. Also you should always use axle stands if you go under the car since if a height adjuster is caught the car could drop to a very low level quickly.