Hissing Pump

[dean]

hi, i dont think its too much of a problem but when i first start the car the hydraulic pump hisses continuously. if the revs are increased slightly there is a click from the pressure regulator and the hissing stops untill the engine returns to idle.
if i turn the steering wheel the noise stops but as soon as i let it go it starts again.
after 10 minutes or so it behaves, all the spheres are new and the lhm has been changed and is clean. citroen said it was likley to be the accumulator sphere but this has been replaced to no avail.
any advise would be much appreciated.

[jorgy9]

Afaik the problem is common to most older cars with assisted steering and an FDV, the real problem is you cannot say if it's pump or accumulator or pressure regulator related unless you are sure that the FDV is working properly. If the car is new to you I would refurbish the FDV anyway with the kit that Citroen provides. The FDV is a reliable item but needs a refurbishment in old cars which most people avoid doing. If it doesn't work properly it screws up all the system.

regards
George

[Peter.N.]

I would agree with george. Mine does the same, has new pump and accumulator sphere, secondhand regulator and distribution valve - still does it. I suspect its the DV as I have a lot of fluid returning from the leak off. The hissing is due to the pump not cutting out because of lack of pressure, as soon as you blip the throttle and speed the engine up it stops - until the pressure drops again.

Peter.N.

[techmanagain]

Pleiades can supply a serviced FDV with the pressure set correctly, so you can just swap over and send the old unit back for credit.
I say "just swap over" but it is a tricky job because if you bend the pipes in getting it out, getting it back is nearly a full wekend job! I jest ,of course - but not much!

[dean]

ok i think if i do it i would go for a service exchange unit as well, it sounds like a lot less hassle for the sake of an extra few quid. How important is getting it sorted? ive gotta get new in + outer steering joints first!

[Peter.N.]

Well, mines been like it for about 20,000 miles!

Peter.N.

[dean]

not a huge rush then!

Thanks for the help it is much apprieciated.

[DOD]

I would suggest phoning Pleiades, when I had a car that did this, they suggested that a replacement unit might be vary similiar and I ran the car for two years (about 40k miles) with no problems.
cheers
Dod.