Amanda Ross Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Citroen C5 year 2006 1.6cc diesel - Hi I hope you guys can please help me? I have a Citroen C5. Just noticed that a rubber hose/pipe (short) situated just behind the driver's side front tyre is split and leaking. Please can anyone tell me what is this pipe please? I can send photos if necessary. My partner has put some silver coloured tape around it as a temporary fix. He says he needs to find a pipe the same size. But firstly he wants to know what it is. It is literally just behind the tyre at the end of all the pipes underneath ie the suspension hydraulic pipes..... Please can you help me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.h Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 A photo would help but it sounds as if it could be a suspension fluid return pipe which is fastened to the strut. Have a look at the other side of the car since that also has one. Best place to get parts will be a Citroen dealer but you could try somewhere like GSF. The suspension LDS fluid is an orange colour and if it is this that is leaking you will also need to top that up. A Haynes manual explains how to do this but it requires the suspension lowered to its lowest setting, then gradually undo the LDS fluid tank cap (pressure will be released) and the correct level will be at the bottom of the tank neck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 paul.h Thank you so very much for your reply. Yes there is a pipe same on the other side. You mentioned orange liquid would come out of it? So the liquid that comes out is looking blackish colour. The suspension is still working fine and going up and down when the up/down button is pressed (the one found in the front of car between the two seats). The brakes do not appear to have been affected at all. However yesterday when driving a message came up on the computer console. It was too quick to read but it said something about ''Service - compression ???????''. Yes I will send you a photo just as soon as I get home. I am not at home at the moment but am at a friends house for a few days. My partner has the car and has relayed all to me by phone (he is not so good when using computers and forums). I am back on Monday evening (tomorrow) so can send a photo to here then. I will show all you advise to him as he will do the actual repairs/changing of pipes/topping up as he is much more confident and capable with vehicles than I am. Please can you tell me Paul, is it dangerous to drive as it is? He my partner is not driving and is stuck at home. I am looking after my friends house and cats while she is away but was thinking of asking her to drive me back home when she returns as am frightened for partner to use car to come and get me. Am I/we being over the top with this or is it best to not drive it till we fix it and top up the fluid (if it is what you say but it sure sounds correct). Again, super huge thanks for your help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.h Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 This ebay listing for a C5 front suspension strut shows the fluid return hose on it and can be checked to see if it is the same as the one you have leaking https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293503038433?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=293503038433&targetid=1278447512867&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006876&poi=&campaignid=12689626702&mkgroupid=124353408922&rlsatarget=pla-1278447512867&abcId=9300529&merchantid=137623798&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu5bA8aTt8QIVlAIGAB0DigsfEAQYBSABEgIJBfD_BwE If the suspension fluid is old it will likely be a dark colour. You need to make sure it is not getting on the brakes since then the pads and maybe the discs might need replacing as well as not working. If you have to use the car I would minimise its use since once all the fluid is gone you will lose the steering assistance (it shares the fluid) but the car will be at the low suspension setting. This ebay listing might be the right part for your car https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323055400828?hash=item4b379a377c:g:DUAAAOSw~o5aeLIY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 paul.h Thank you so very much for your reply. Yes there is a pipe same on the other side. You mentioned orange liquid would come out of it? So the liquid that comes out is looking blackish colour. The suspension is still working fine and going up and down when the up/down button is pressed (the one found in the front of car between the two seats). The brakes do not appear to have been affected at all. However yesterday when driving a message came up on the computer console. It was too quick to read but it said something about ''Service - compression ???????''. Yes I will send you a photo just as soon as I get home. I am not at home at the moment but am at a friends house for a few days. My partner has the car and has relayed all to me by phone (he is not so good when using computers and forums). I am back on Monday evening (tomorrow) so can send a photo to here then. I will show all you advise to him as he will do the actual repairs/changing of pipes/topping up as he is much more confident and capable with vehicles than I am. Please can you tell me Paul, is it dangerous to drive as it is? He my partner is not driving and is stuck at home. I am looking after my friends house and cats while she is away but was thinking of asking her to drive me back home when she returns as am frightened for partner to use car to come and get me. Am I/we being over the top with this or is it best to not drive it till we fix it and top up the fluid (if it is what you say but it sure sounds correct). Again, super huge thanks for your help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 18, 2021 Author Share Posted July 18, 2021 paul.h Thank you so much for all of your help. You are very kind!! I am having a look.....I I cant tell you more until I get a chance to compare what you have sent me with my car to see if it is that....but it sure does look it. I will be able to check it out tomorrow night so long as I get back before dark. Otherwise will have to wait till Tuesday morning. I shall let you know on here....if it is not that I shall post a photo of the offending leaking part. You are a super star Paul!!!! Chat later. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 paul.h Hi, I am sending you photos this evening as promised. However have passed on to partner over the phone what you have said and he confirms that he thinks you are dead right!! That is the pipe that has gone. Before I get back this evening so I can send the photos (on here) please could you tell me what LDS fluid is? What does LDS stand for please? You wrote ''The suspension LDS fluid''. Also partner asked me to ask you this too: When he presses the up/down suspension, it goes down but then will raise itself (when it chooses). So originally we thought it did that only when we pulled in to home as off street parking is a slope..... but he said today that it does it even if on a flat or a slope. Do you have any ideas please? (We have not had the car for long). Thank you so much Paul for all of your extremely kind help with this. I look forward to hearing from you and shall send those photos as promised once I am home. I am asking my friends to take me back this evening and my partner is not using the car at all..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.h Posted July 19, 2021 Share Posted July 19, 2021 I can not remember what French words LDS is short for (something like liquid direction suspension) but you can see it in this GSF link, about £10 for 1 litre. The total amount is about 5 litres but one should be enough for a top up. https://www.gsfcarparts.com/980aa0720 The suspension and steering use the hydraulic LDS fluid and there is a small tank of it on top of the right front wing, next to the coolant tank. The fluid has a high pressure pump under the tank which has valves that direct it to the suspension struts (not shock absorbers) to keep the suspension level. You will hear the pump running at times such as when you get in the car. The LDS tank is probably a black colour but earlier versions it may have been yellowish. It is under pressure and the cap should be removed when the car is on its lowest setting and then gradually with a rag around it in case any fluid is blown out. Pressurised air will be heard to escape as the cap is undone. The fluid level should be at the bottom of the tank neck with the suspension at its lowest setting. I have read that if the steering is not left in the straight ahead position the suspension can go up and down on its own. The cause is the suspension height sensor links can seize a bit in the ball joints and turning the steering puts a twist in the anti roll bars but the links are easy enough to unclip, clean and grease. This should be done with the car at the max height setting and on axle stands since if the links are knocked the suspension can quickly drop to a very low level, far quicker that you can get out from under the car. You might also want to disconnect the battery (see the Common Problems topic for info on doing this). The sensors should not be unbolted otherwise it needs a dealer to get them in the right positions and the correct suspension height reset. The Haynes workshop manual has details of the height sensors and they are in the middle of the front and rear anti roll bars. This ebay listing has pictures of a sensor. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264932712169?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=264932712169&targetid=1278447513547&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006876&poi=&campaignid=12689626702&mkgroupid=124353408922&rlsatarget=pla-1278447513547&abcId=9300529&merchantid=113109304&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkq2OrJPv8QIVi-5RCh2nywCHEAsYBiABEgJFnPD_BwE To grease the links I use a bit of tippex to mark the arm position, then use a screwdriver to unclip one end of the link, then at the sensor end a small drill (4 or 5 mm) is put in a hole to stop the sensor arm moving and the other end of the link unclipped. Clean the link sockets and sensor balls, put a bit of grease on them and then clip back together. I do this job every few years and it keeps the suspension a bit smoother. If you ever want to jack the car up the suspension should always be raised to its max height first, otherwise problems can result with the suspension - this is important to point out to any non Citroen dealers you use for any jobs/tyres/even the MOT and as noted, never go underneath without using axle stands. A member of this forum had a serious shoulder injury when axle stands were not used, a height sensor was caught and the car dropped to a low level. The Common Problems topic, section 16 has a battery disconnection procedure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 paul.h Thank you so much. Super interesting. Super informative. I am going back home shortly as my friends have come back. So will send you the photos later and then show all you have written to my partner who understands a great deal more than I do when it comes to vehicles and mechanics. Stopping off on way to pick up suspension fluid. Thanking you again and chat later Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 paul.h I got back home yesterday evening. Partner did not have a photo as he said no need cause you are right in your diagnostic. So I have borrowed neighbour who took me to town and got some hydraulic liquid (lds). It is not orange but green. Was in specialist auto shop called Roady. Gentleman who worked there confirmed to me tnat it does not matter what colour - all hydraulic power drive assist is synthetic he said and this brand is green colour. Also partner confirmed that what came out he saw was blackish but had a dark green olive tinge. Hoping he is right? Is it okay to use the green stuff? Also partner asking, to top up hydraulic / power assist fluid, does the vehicle need to be on a flat surface please? (cause we are on a bit of a hill so he needs to know if he can drive it a few hundred metres to a flat spot to top up or if that is not a good idea or not necessary). He has fixed the pipe. It was just the end of the pipe that was cracked so he cut it and reattached with cable ties. He wont do anything until he knows your answer (re flat surface etc). Thanks Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Ross Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 paul.h Hi, Just to let you know that the car is up and running and with great thanks for all of your help!! We followed your instructions. Found that the level of hydraulic / power assist oil was fine at the bottom of the tank (as you described) so seems my partner spotted it in time and caught it before the levels dropped. So I had bought a litre of the oil but it remains unused. Not to worry - we shall keep it with us in the car just in case we ever need it again. Not sure if you can answer this last question for me please? The car is a C5 year 2006 1.6cc diesel. We have been told that usually when the citroens get to this age then their hydraulic system fails and the car can only be scrapped..... so far the car is driving fine. However we have had this slight problem with the tube coming from the strut which was an easy fix (with your advice). However my question is do you agree that really this car is now perhaps living on borrowed time? Should we be selling it (we have only just bought it)? Otherwise we are happy with the car but are not in a financial position to lose the purchase price of the car (was approx 1000 pounds all told in February of this year). Would love to know your opinion. Hope all is good with you and thank you again for of your very kind and thoughtful help with this problem. Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.h Posted July 21, 2021 Share Posted July 21, 2021 Good to see your car is sorted. Whatever you do, do not put the green fluid in the suspension since with it not being the correct Total LDS fluid it may damage all the suspension system seals. The existing will only be a dark colour due to its age and picking up dirt from the suspension system, some people do replace it after some time if the suspension seems a bit hard. If the shop will not take it back get rid of it at your recycling centre with the old engine oils. I would not go back to that shop again since you can not trust them. Earlier model Citroens did use a green colour suspension fluid but again it would need to be the correct brand and type but this is not suitable for the C5. The C5 is a reliable car if looked after, ours is 14 years old but only on 39k miles since it is our towing car or when lots of stuff needs moving. We've had it 9½ years and it has seen off 3 other of our cars and then it replaced another C5 we had for 6 years. There are members on here with ones from around 2001 and 200k miles and still going strong. A previous mod on the forum worked at a taxi firm and they only used C5s, he worked in the garage maintaining them. People who knock the C5 probably have never had one. With the 1.6 hdi make sure you change the oil every year with the correct type (in the maintenance and warranty book probably Total INEO ECS 5w-30) and a filter from Citroen plus the drain plug washer which is a lot cheaper from Citroen at less than £1. The Total oil is around £28 bought on line for 5 litres. There is a list of common problems on the C5 (already noted earlier) which you can read at your leisure but bear in mind most people do not experience any of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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