C5 - Lds Overflow

[cargoman]

Hello, this my first post, can you help?  Have a slight oil leak from the steering box of my 2008 (June) C5 auto diesel estate. I think it is a MK111. Garage checked it out and am waiting for info from them regarding method and costs of repair. Having read some of the recent posts topics it could be new pipes, new seals (if supplied separately) and or new expensive steering rack. During the garage inspection they  topped up the LDS reservoir as the level was very low. Any advice would be appreciated.

On a similar theme, had two front tyres fitted today and when the front was jacked up oil spilled from the cap of the LDS reservoir in the engine bay. Can you overfill the reservoir? Again would appreciate help and comments. 

[Randombloke]

Any hydraulic Citroen should be put on the top suspension setting for a tyre/wheel change and not jacked up from standard setting. Once on the top setting , then it can be taken the rest of the way, which is only a couple of inches as there is no suspension sag to eliminate. 

 

Was it put to the top setting before being jacked? If not, it's a recipe for trouble. 

[cargoman]

Many thanks for your input Randombloke. Not sure what setting it was on. Can you enlighten me as to how the car is put into the top suspension setting as i am not familiar with the set-up? I'll assume that the oil overflow was due to the suspension being on the lower setting. After the tyres had been changed I rechecked the LDS level which appeared ok and rechecked/pumped the brakes,  steering etc as best I could before returning home. The car appears ok and hydraulically seems ok but will keep checking just to be sure. Is there anything else to check or look for?

On a relevant matter I am still waiting for info from my garage re the steering box leak. I have already been quoted 1400 Euros/£1200 I'm in based France at the moment)  from another garage to replace the steering rack!! Is that reasonable or expensive? Would appreciate a reply from anyone.

Thanks again for your response

[cargoman]

Just an update to above.  Having now read the owners manual properly!!! I understand Randombloke's question regarding raising the suspension and hands up I did not go the procedure of putting the suspension in the uppermost position before having the front end jacked up and two tyres fitted, subsequently oil overflowed from the reservoir. My fault entirely and I should have known better and read the manual. Lesson learned.......hopefully. Will reposts once I have info regarding my steering rack issue, price etc.

Thanks again to the Forum.

[paul.h]

For the 2008 on C5 (X7) model in Citroen's service box procedures, the lds tank can split if it is jacked up and the wheels left hanging if the tank cap is not slackened before jacking up and there has been a topic on here about it where a garage (not a Citroen one) did some work on a car and the tank appeared to explode. If this applies to the earlier model I am not sure. So you need to see if the apparent overflow of lds fluid is actually a split in the tank since the cap seals the tank which is normally under pressure and should not leak.

 

When checking the lds tank level, the suspension should be put in the low position, the tank cap removed (as it is slackened there will be a release of pressure) and the fluid level should be at the bottom of the filling neck strainer.

 

The steering rack oil leak is a common failure on the C5 (X7) and there are topics on here about it. Replacement with a reconditioned one seems to be the lowest cost fix for about £300. This is from the Common Problems topic:

 

25. New C5 (mark 3/X7) steering rack oil leaks - at least 8 cases so far.

We have 2 members jefflad and Howiec with steering rack leaks that are proving difficult to fix. Where the supply and return pipes join the rack, the seals are leaking fluid. It seems Citroen want to replace the pipes to fix this and that just replacing the O-ring seals does not work. Citroen also do not sell the seals separately. An additional 2 members, Parkesie and johnfing, have found a leak from the steering column shaft input seal on top of the steering rack, which initially was thought to be the pipe seals. This seal also is not available so replacement racks have been fitted. The column shaft has badly rusted so may be the cause of the leak - applying grease could possibly prevent this. See http://www.citroen-o...uid/#entry75684 . See also this topic for info on replacing the rack

http://www.citroen-o...ent/#entry81594

 

There are 2 more cases here and one being caused by corrosion of the rack where the alloy oil pipes connect http://www.citroen-o...-leaking-fluid/

 

Have a look at this topic from C5greener for another leak point in the piping near the rack http://www.citroen-o...-steering-leak/

 

This topic from taximan61 for his 2011 C5 (X7) had the leaking rack and pipes repaired in Wakefield. This is the youngest C5 with a leaking rack so it is not just the early ones that leak. http://www.citroen-o...-steering-leak/

[MikeLane]

" For the 2008 on C5 (X7) model in Citroen's service box procedures, the lds tank can split if it is jacked up and the wheels left hanging if the tank cap is not slackened before jacking up"

 

This is crazy! Does it mention it in the owner's handbook? Makes changing a wheel after a puncture a potential nightmare.

Edited August 9, 2016 by MikeLane

[cargoman]

Wow!  exploding LDS reservoir, that could be serious. Just wondering if the small pre-drilled hole in the LDS cap on my C5 is pressure relief valve of sorts. The manual, to my knowledge, certainly does not mention to ease the cap before jacking the front end. I now know that most competent tyre changers and garages are aware to position the suspension at high level before jacking the car. 

Will certainly check out the other posts relating to the steering box leaks. My contact at our local garage has been in touch with suppliers in UK who supply reconditioned steering racks and the general consensus is that there is a continuing problem with C5 circa 2008 steering racks and more importantly with the reconditioned racks as well. The racks also appear to be in short supply. Correct me if I'm wrong but It is a problem that seemingly Citroen have ignored to date. I also from previous posts that to use a named stop leak liquid for the LDS reservoir was not recommended, any comments on the stop leak liquid would be appreciated.

I will try and check again to see if the leak is from the pipes or around the base of the steering column where it enters the steering box, not sure if my C5 model has an access/opening via the floor pan or bulkhead which would allow me to check the top of the steering box.

Onwards and downwards.

Once again thanks for all the help and information offered.

[paul.h]

Something to be aware of, 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.

 

I would not put any stop leak fluid in the lds tank since it is also used for the suspension which has small diameter holes in the various parts. The fluids could also be incompatible with the seals in the system and result in leaks. If the fluid then needed to be changed it is about £12 a litre and there are about 5 litres.

 

This topic has some info on lifting the car and the topic on the tank that split http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/23546-c5-lifting-on-two-post-garage-lift/?hl=exploding+tank

 

The answers to some of your questions on the steering rack can be found in the linked posts. A leaking input shaft seal of the rack may be the result of the input shaft rusting and in one post from Parkesie there is a picture of this - it may also be possible to see this from under the car or by removing the shaft to body seal.

[cargoman]

Many thanks paul.h for the info. Will not sort or attempt to sort the problem without professional help. Have read another posts regarding the "Stop Leak" fluid and will not use due to the possibility of further problems. Your right about the stop leak fluid that is incompatible with the LDS and of course the seals which would perish.

I am aware of the rust problem from the steering shaft and hopefully check it out later.  Will check out the website you have mentioned. Many thanks for the ongoing help.