Refitting Pipes Assembly Into Lhm Reservoir, am I missing a trick?

[jamieb]

I've just cleaned out reservoir, filters etc but am finding it impossible to get the pipe assembly back into the top of the reservoir. I've looked for lugs etc but can't find any. It goes in about halfway, then sticks. Then any forcing dislodges the half moon filter and I have to start again.

Am I missing something or just being cackhanded? It's an incredibly tight fit and i noticed that when I removed the pipe assembly, the half moon filter came off then as well. I;ve tried it from all angles, from horizontal to vertical and all in between but no luck. Any suggestions?

Jamie

[kenhall1202]

Hi Jamie

I had a similar problem earlier this year when doing an LHM change and filter clean. The problem I think is the lack of any 'give' or slack in the many pipes connected to the reservoir top. I recall that I had to unfasten the LHM reservoir again and tip it at an angle rearwards to make the entry of the pipe manifold easier and without dislodging the D shaped filter. I succeeded in the end but only after making a right mess with spilled LHM!!

Regards

Ken

[jamieb]

Absolutely - No play in the pipes and the fit is incredibly tight. Next step, I think, is to take off all the pipes from the assembly, fit it into the reservoir outside the engine bay and then do the pipes up.

Thanks for replying. It's reassuring to know I'm not the only one

Jamie

[jorgy9]

Hi jamie

It's tight but it IS possible to place it through, just needs alot of wiggling while you really strech the return pipes for a moment as you insert it.

To remove the return pipes is a pita if they are tied with those original Citroen clips. I have decided to destroy mine and replace them with simple tie wraps, and it's all ok, no leaks at all. I did this because I fitted silicone tubing to extend every single return pipe, precisely to addres this problem.

cheers
George

[jamieb]

George

Is it a question of wiggling or pushing incredibly hard? (no innunendo intended) or both? I've detached the pips but still no joy after 30 mins of push and wiggle. (amazing I had the stamina)

J

[robertmnorton]

Hi all, the simplest method i've found is to remove the air filter top cover and outlet hose completely.Remove the spring clip,10mm retaining bolt and lhm level indicator spade connectors.Slide the reservoir forward to dislocate the spigot from the rubber locator and tilt upwards at 45 degs.I use a 4 lt paraffin tub cut in half to position the filter head assembly in, no spillage or drips.The filter head slides out without straining the return pipes and place in the catch tub.And as all the good books say "refitting is the reversal of removal".On topping up, before starting the engine i attach a foot pump to the overflow/breather/top up cap pipe and pressurize to a couple of psi.If the filter head and seal are located correctly the reservoir will hold this pressure and then with the engine running and bleed/depressurizing screw open keep a steady pressure in the reservoir by hand operating the foot pump.This feeds the hyd pump with lhm, after only a minute or so close the bleed screw and remove the foot pump.The whole process takes 20 mins.

[jamieb]

There is definitely something wrong with the set up of the reservoir and pipe assembly. It was a devil to slide the pipe assembly out and and even more a devil to slide back in. still, I shall persevere (because I have no choice) unless someone has a spare reservoir plus assembly that they no longer want.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Jamie

Have a few spare tanks and filter heads. Looked at them dinner time while shifting things to get space to get another car in. Will get there in the next few days and then a couple will get cleaned up ready for swapping between the cars and the rest (at least 3) will get dumped.

John

[jamieb]

John


I am very interested... As the car is off the road at the moment (immobilising my wife) I shall try and get the old set up fixed. However, as I am about to try and clean up the hydraulic system, I'll be wanting a reservoir/pipe assembly that I can take to pieces easily so I can get to the filters for cleaning. So please, hang onto any spares and I will come knocking.


Jamie

[techmanagain]

I may be teaching my Granny to suck eggs, but have you by any chance not refitted the "S" shaped clip between the circular filter and the "D" shaped filter.
If you had trouble getting the filter asy out of the tank you may have forced the clip off into the bottom of the tank. A magnet on a piece of string will soon find it in the bottem of the tank.

[jamieb]

Oddly enough, I did lose the clip but got it back on again. It wasn't that, but thanks for the suggestion. After a a lot of huffing and puffing and finally pushing down with my full weight, I did get it all back together, without the half moon filter falling off. Not only that, refilled with hydraflush, joined up all the pipes correctly and it works!

Off tomorrow to pick up spare resefvoir from XMexclusive so hopefully I don't have to go through it all again when I clean the filters.

One thing I learned: the LHM level indicator has never worked - it was always right at the top of the perspex dome, even when suspension on "high". I discovered hat this was due to a small plastic disk that was missing from the bottom of the tube it sits on (this will be apparent to anyone who has looked in the pipe assembly.) I cured it by jamming a vegetable oil bottle lid onto the bottom of the tube. It's stuck fast there and the indicator works now - very useful when it comes to refilling the tank.

Thanks for all the help and advice

Jamie

[jamieb]

And finally ...

Many thanks to John for fixing me up with a spare tank/assembly. Now I can see how easily the two bits slide in and out, it's clear that my unit(s) were faulty.

And, I have a shiny replacement door supplied and fitted by John with some inexpert help from me. All hail the XM community.


Jamie

[xmexclusive]

Hi Jamie

Further to yesterday. There must be an electrical fault on the car for your battery to go down like that just because we were working on the car. For a start the interior light stayed on instead of timing out so the timer could do with checking/replacing.

John

[jamieb]

John

Good point - and then I won't be draining your spare battery!

bst wishes

Jamie