Leak Hydrolic Citroen DS

superfly35

Hi lads,

I have a citroen DS, which has a problem with the hydrolic there is a leak close to oil hydrolic tank.
I think it used to distribute the oil in the break and all as there is a good couple of pipe leaving from there.

Basically I would like found the leak and stop it. The car belong to a friend of mine whom kindly led to me the car so I would love to give it back to him in working order.

does anyone know the what that part is ? I must post a picture tonight.

Cheers
Superfly

Lyre61

If the leak is in the area of the tank it might be the accumulator, they have a habit of leaking. You are looking for a green sphere and attached to a green column. There are a couple of pipes going into the column held in place by nut like pieces the pipes go through. See if these are loose and tighten if required, don't go mad..no tighter than a spark plug.

davoxx

what is the level like? and how much fluid is leaking? is it leaking when the engine is turned off?

superfly35

The level is very close to none at this stage.
It is leaking only when the engine is running and the car up.

I would say it is leaking about 2cl in about 10 min.

Below the picture of the leak




Is it the accumulator?

davoxx

sounds like burst return pipe, or leaking supply pipe.

you'll have to find the leak, so make sure it is NEVER empty of lhm, and wear goggles, when you try to find it.

superfly35

I looked a bit more into it at home, and the affect part is actually not the main accumulator but the brake accumulator.

Here is a video on youtube how to refurbish it brake accumulator

The problem is there is gas in it, so it will need to be refilled after change of o-ring and diapharm.

Do you have an address to get the job done in Ireland or UK or France ?

I found a guy in Oz whom could do it I think, but the shipping cost might be dear I will need to check with the post tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

Lyre61

superfly35 wrote: »

I looked a bit more into it at home, and the affect part is actually not the main accumulator but the brake accumulator.

Here is a video on youtube how to refurbish it brake accumulator

The problem is there is gas in it, so it will need to be refilled after change of o-ring and diapharm.

Do you have an address to get the job done in Ireland or UK or France ?

I found a guy in Oz whom could do it I think, but the shipping cost might be dear I will need to check with the post tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.

The problem will be a pipe with a hole in it or a loose connection, the accumulators only store pressure in reserve for the different requirements. If one of then is gone the problems are cycle times on the pump and loss of pressure.
You need to turn everything of clean the area completely, then watch the area when you turn back on the engine. Try not to let the fluid run out as you will then have to bleed the system. All the parts can be got easily in the uk, Noel Dolphin in Clontarf also has parts.
BTW all the spheres have gas in them, and depending on the aged of the car the can be single piece units or two piece units.

superfly35

Lyre61 wrote: »

The problem will be a pipe with a hole in it or a loose connection, the accumulators only store pressure in reserve for the different requirements. If one of then is gone the problems are cycle times on the pump and loss of pressure.
You need to turn everything of clean the area completely, then watch the area when you turn back on the engine. Try not to let the fluid run out as you will then have to bleed the system. All the parts can be got easily in the uk, Noel Dolphin in Clontarf also has parts.
BTW all the spheres have gas in them, and depending on the aged of the car the can be single piece units or two piece units.

The car is from 1975, so I think it is a screw on one. I would love if it was only a loose connection. I have to say I did not try to tied up anything yesterday.
The 2 pipe coming from to the top are perfectly clean, no leak there.

The leak definitively come from the bottom, so I would say it comes from the bolt were by the azote is getting in.
I could see the gasket been damage which would explain the leak but I am not sure.

To remove the accumulator, Is there a process I should follow about the pressure inside?

Thanks again for the help.

davoxx

the leak is coming from the bolt (gas inlet) for the accumulator sphere.
the diaphragm is more than likely toast.

you'll need to de-pressurise the system first before removing any pipes.

Lyre61

Give me a little while and I will post some of the details from the manual, once you have let the pressure our of the system you will have to unscrew the sphere and replace it with a new or reconditioned one.

Lyre61

The files I have are PDF, you want to pm me I will send them on to you but basically this is what you have to do. First release the pressure in the system, might not be two much juding by the amout of fluid you say you have left. So to start with put some fluid into the resovoir, next go have a look at the main accumulator as per the pic posted by Davoxx,(the barrel part is the pressure regulator) on it you will find a bleed screw. Next go start the car, give it a min to build up a bit of pressure..go around to the bleed screw turn it 1 to 1 and a half turns..you should hear the pressure release. Try and turn the steering and press the brakes to make sure the pressure is gone. Car should be on it's bump stops at this stage.
Now you can start into the brake accumulator, take off the high pressure lines from it. Take a picture so you know which pipe goes where, I have an Sm, so my layout is slightly different, I have the drawings if you do get mixed up but a bit of care now and it will go ok. Unbolt the BA and take it out. If the leak is coming from the top of the sphere it means the gas is all gone. These spheres are split in two inside, top section contains the gas and the lower end is where the lhm goes, so for the lhm to get out the top the Diaphragm is gone. To repair this you need specialist equipment, your better off getting a reconditioned unit, you could try Noel Dolphin or Pheiades in the UK (+44 1487 831 239). The original pressure in this unit on the gas side was 40 Bars – 570psi, should be stamped on the filler screw.

Charlie Michael

Hi
Would anyone be able to direct me toward where I could hire a citreon DS for a wedding in December? The only website i could find was booked for that day and I wondered if any private owners might be available?
Thanks