Suspension Disaster

[72dudes]

Found a small pool of fluid just inboard of the off-side front wheel this morning - the car has been standing since Friday.

 

Went to the dealer to find out what it was and where it is coming from. To my horror there is a leak in the LDS front piping which means 3 new pipes (one part - 527 ORN). They quoted £504 !!!

 

Spoke to my Citroen specialist, described the leak, and the conversation went like this:

"I bet it's a 2.2 diesel?"

"Yes, why?"

"It's quite a common fault, I did 6 of these last year"

"Jes*s"

 

It must be something to do with the Hydractive 3 with Sport function I presume????

 

Anyway, price will be around £392 - still eye-watering.

 

So, once again be aware of the 2.2 HDi for it's added complexity.

 

Can anyone give me words of comfort, has this happened to any other 2.2 HDi owners. WIll it be as good as new afterwards? Yes, I'm feeling pretty low!

[rickardo]

hi i have had 2 c5 2.0hdi estates leak lds from the front offside pipe that sits behind the front bumper where the pipe go,s from rubber to metal

both times it was the hose clamp that was causing the leak cure was put new hose clamp on .

[myglaren]

While I have nothing concrete to offer on this matter I am surprised that the quoted price is so high.

I have in the past replaced many an hydraulic pipe on several Citroens and despite being scared witless by people supposedly knowledgeable about vehicle repairs - and some even refusing to consider working on a Citroen - I found it very easy and quick to replace pipes and associated bits and pieces and while the pipes were more expensive than standard brake pipes the differential wasn't that dramatic.

 

I will admit to not having gone raking around much on the C5 yet.

[72dudes]

both times it was the hose clamp that was causing the leak cure was put new hose clamp on .

 

I'm told it's not the hose clamp bit that's leaking but another part of the pipe.

 

 

While I have nothing concrete to offer on this matter I am surprised that the quoted price is so high.

 

Again, I'm told by both the dealer and ind. specialist that the pipes at the front cannot be replaced in parts, it has to be the whole thing which is in fact 3 pipes. Parts price only is £193, the rest is Labour, a bit of fluid and VAT. Apparently it's a 2 man job as the rear subframe has to be dropped and the engine tilted forwards (this was the dealer not the specialist, so not 100% sure on this bit)

 

Thanks for the replies though guys.

[seefive]

I'm told it's not the hose clamp bit that's leaking but another part of the pipe.

Again, I'm told by both the dealer and ind. specialist that the pipes at the front cannot be replaced in parts, it has to be the whole thing which is in fact 3 pipes. Parts price only is £193, the rest is Labour, a bit of fluid and VAT. Apparently it's a 2 man job as the rear subframe has to be dropped and the engine tilted forwards (this was the dealer not the specialist, so not 100% sure on this bit)

 

Thanks for the replies though guys.

 

Had exactly the same symptoms on my 2.0 petrol and cost me £40 to fix - clips on low pressure part of the circuit had worn and weren't holding the jointed parts properly. If you live anywhere near South Bucks, I can recommend Louis Barbour - see his website. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Might be worth getting a second opinion on this.

[Randombloke]

Sport setting:

 

Sport setting is related to Hydractive 3+.

 

This is standard on highest trim levels or an optional extra.

 

Not all 2.2s have H3+. H3+ is present on other C5s with higher trim levels or where it has been bought as an option.

 

H3+ rocks, as it allows nice ride but with almost no roll. Reminds of the Xantia Activa.

[72dudes]

Had exactly the same symptoms on my 2.0 petrol and cost me £40 to fix - clips on low pressure part of the circuit had worn and weren't holding the jointed parts properly. If you live anywhere near South Bucks, I can recommend Louis Barbour - see his website. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Might be worth getting a second opinion on this.

 

 

Thanks seefive, I'll make sure it's not just the clips before I go ahead. I'm a long way from Great Missenden, but I'll give him a ring for a second opinion. I'm fairly sure from what my local specialist said that my problem is unique to the 2.2 HDi which has a firmer "Sport" function on the suspension setting. He did 6 of these repairs last year alone!

 

Edit Date.. :)

[seefive]

Thanks seefive, I'll make sure it's not just the clips before I go ahead. I'm a long way from Great Missenden, but I'll give him a ring for a second opinion. I'm fairly sure from what my local specialist said that my problem is unique to the 2.2 HDi which has a firmer "Sport" function on the suspension setting. He did 6 of these repairs last year alone!

 

Mine has a sport setting too...

[72dudes]

At last the website has allowed me back in - 4 weeks without being able to post!! Great moderators btw (not)

 

So here's an update on my suspension disaster.

 

Yes, the system of pipes on the Hydractive 3+ models differs on the front end from the "normal" C5 suspension. The specialist I use did not have to tilt the engine and drop the rear subframe, they've done enough of these to know. One guy stands on the engine block while the other feeds the new pipes up from below. £378 all in.

Part £193

Labour 2.3 hours at £45/hour

Fluid £15

Loan car, 1 day @ £10 (I ended up having it for 2.5 days)

VAT was remainder.

 

On collecting the car, noticed the front end was riding too low and felt solid, guy gets the hand held computer out, and it showed no faults. In fact the computer said it was a few "steps" too high if anything. Lots of chin rubbing and mild panic ensued, they lent me a car and kept mine overnight. Rang lunchtime next day to say everything sorted, needed a new height sensor at the front - fitted free of charge, as they could only think it was something they did.

 

Two days later, found fluid underneath again in exactly the same place, mild panic again, changed underwear, took car back, thinking there was a problem with the repair. Luckily no, this time it was power steering fluid and it needed a new hose clip. Fitted free of charge again. Great service so I'd better name check them. Clifton Cars, Sible Hedingham, North Essex.

 

Now car is back to normal and riding well with no leaks. Hope this helps other owners with Hydractive 3+ system.