Stop Warning Light Showed.then Couldn't Steer

[neilnicholson]

Hi there,

 

Bought 1997 Xantia 1.9 turbo diesel estate yesterday from auction.(mileage 78000) Today whilst driving it for first time!! STOP command came on and it was very difficult to steer car round corner.Very stiff.Got home and noticed fluid dripping from top belt wheel.Is this from power steering servo or something?Also noticed belts have to be replaced as all very worn.Can someone explain why it is leaking and is it a big and expensive job to repair and also to replace belts.Also clutch pedal needs to come right up before car moves.Is clutch on way out or can it be adjusted.Thanks for any comments as at the moment I think I made the qrong decision to buy a second hand Citroen!!!

[DickieG]

It sounds as if the hydraulic pump is knackered, new ones cost something like £300 so look for a secondhand one from a breakers, making sure that it has the same engine layout i.e. aircon etc as there are several different types.

 

Replacing the pump isn't particularly difficult, just make sure you make a note of the route that the auxillary belt takes around the various pulleys :D

 

Clutch problems on Xantia's normally show themselves as having a very stiff pedal action which results in snapping off the small plastic clip under the pedal. It may just be that yours is out of adjustment although bear in mind that the pedal does sit higher than the brake pedal, due to the brake pedal having such a short movement.

[neilnicholson]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your information.I will certainly look for a hydraulic pump from breakers and buy new belts.

When repaired do I just fill it up with hydraulic fluid and start engine.Will this fill the system up again or does it have to be bled or something to avoid air bubbles etc?

[DickieG]

Be careful removing the rubber supply pipe as its prone to splitting and a new one will set you back £150 :D . The securing clip will need to be replaced with a jubilee clip, make sure that its tight enough to prevent air being sucked in because that will cause all manner of strange things to happen to the system.

 

Unless you're unlucky the system should bleed itself, otherwise pour some LHM down the supply pipe to start things off. After starting fully raise/lower the suspension several times (allow the suspension to settle in each position before moving the lever back) in order to bleed any remaining air out of the hydraulic system [this is commonly called Citerobics].

 

Before refilling with new LHM take a look at the colour of the old fluid and compare with new LHM. Unless its very bright green (luminous) remove the tank, clean it and the plastic filters inside with petrol, the pump failure could be due to dirty fluid.

[neilnicholson]

Thanks DickieG for valuable advice.I think as soon as I get it going again it is going to be sold as I have read too many horror stories about citroens and cost of spare parts!!!When I bought it it seemed a good idea at the time.

[rogermunns]

Hi

 

Sorry, but I reckon that you have been tricked by the mileage! Ten year old diesel with 78000 miles? I don't think so. More likely 270000.

I have a 98 car (1.8 16V petrol) with 100000 miles on the clock, I've done about 20000 of those miles. No probs except rear suspension went hard - I replaced rear spheres and also ticking noise at front (replaced centre sphere at front ).

40+ mpg (almost 50 if you really try)........very comfortable (and I live in the sticks with bumpy lanes) and capacious.