Just Bought A '99 Xantia - Help!

[Guest Mark c]

Hi all,

I have just purchased a 1999 xantia activa 2.0T. A lovely car and cheap because a hose on the suspension had to be replaced.

 

Although it has been done, I still have none of the hydrolics. :lol: I have been told it might be the hydrolic pump thay is knackered, is there anyway of checking this? I have loosened the collets on the pumps output and the fluid is seeping out with bubbles. Is this normal? Does the system need to be primed or bled in anyway or is it self bleeding?

 

Can the pump be reconditioned if need be? Any help with my new car could be appreciated. :)

 

Thank you all

 

Mark:)

[PaulCartwright]

you should have bubbles in the suspension system you need to bleed the system if its like the c5 there is a bleed nipple on the suspension pipes but dont fully unscrew the nipple, try bleeding the suspension like you bleed your breaks, you need to have the correct amount of suspension fluid in the system to. its unlikely the pumps broke but if you have replaced the pipe the system needs to be bled properly have the engine running when bleeding and when the car starts to pump up leave it in the highest position for about 5 mins this helps bleed the system.

 

let us know how you get on

 

i have a cunning suspicion that the breaks on a xantia use the same system as the suspension - but i could be wrong -

[PaulCartwright]

UPS should read

 

"you should NOT have bubbles in the suspension fluid"

 

sorry im still intoxicated with the christmas spirit

 

Paul

[DaveWalling]

Hi Mark,

I belive the way to bleed the hydraulic system is to raise to full height and lower the suspension a few times. Ths should get rid of any air in the system, worth checking after, that the system does not need topping up. On older Xantias this required raising the suspension to full height then checking the sight glass in the engine bay to make sure that the float was between the 2 lines. Obvously do the above with the engine running :rolleyes: Oh, you should find that once it is bled that your brakes should work better as the Xantia uses the same hydraulic system for the suspension and the brakes.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Xantia is the last "True" hydraulic Citroen. EVERYTHING is powered from the same pump. Not anything like a C5 which has standard servo brakes and the suspension is electrically driven. (not sure about the steering) You can't draw any comparison between the two as they are almost un-related!

 

Make sure the filters are clean. They are built into the cover of the hydrualic reservoir and can be accessed by undoing the clips and rolling the cover out. If you have any suspicion about the quality of the LHM fluid CHANGE IT! Mind you, I'm not too up on the later ones with "Active" suspension. Best get a manual and read it before going any further.

 

Cheers Happy New Year!

[Guest Mark c]

Hullo all,

 

I have tried all of your suggestions so thank you for trying, unfortunatly it still isn't working.

 

I bled the brakes and got a half hearted, spongy braking for about 3 attempts! The suspension tries when I jack the car up on a jack but sinks when i let go.seems to be a serious lack of hydrolic pressure.

 

Before i fitted the new hose, the leak jetted out with force. when i loosed the hydrolic connections, liquid does come out but with tiny bubbles. I'm stumped. does something need resetting?

 

I couldn't find the bleed nipples on the suspension system, I had a good look. Is there a bleed valve on the steering as well. Is there a way of manually priming the pump?

 

even though the level on the hydrolic fluid is high, the STOP light is still lit on the dash indicating fluid level is low! is this normal?

 

Thanks so much again for all your help so far. Can't wait for it all to be working properly

 

Mark