Hi, My name is Rob the new owner of a J reg XM prestige auto with full service history (87000 miles only). I have a problem with the electra valve it keeps througing all the green fluid out, I have stripped this down and replaced the seals but this only lasted two days. Been in touch with the local dealer and they say they can get one from france in ten days with a massive price tag of £275.00, just wondered id anybody has a used one for sale of is it possible to repair the one we have?

Hi Rob, What exactly do you mean by the electra valve? Have you signed up to XM-L on Yahoo groups? That's a good forum too for advice and spares. Maybe Techmanagain (Brian) has the part you need, he was at the Wetherby show yesterday so he may not be on the forum for a day or two.

Alternatively there's a couple of XMs being broken on Ebay.co.uk.

Good luck finding the part.

Steve.

Hi

Thanks Steve, the electra valve is positioned behind the front cross member to the right of the exhaust, it has an block with 5 pipes going into it with an electric valve on the end?

Hi Rob, I take it your car is the one with only one electrovalve (not 2 of them), is it a 1991 or 92 model? I bought an electorvalve from Citroen a month ago for £100 but my car is the hydractive II, they have 2 electrovalves. Where does it leak exactty?

George

Ah I understand now, the electrovalve on the Hydractive valve block. I've only worked on Hydractive 2 systems so can't really help. It seems (on Hydractive 2 systems at least) that the needle valve and seat wears allowing fluid to leak back to the tank. On my Xantia one of the O rings had failed which caused a strange noise after switching off the engine as the pressure leaked away, it was a bit like a toilet cistern filling just before it stops.

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/3104DSC00209.JPG

That little bit of 'string' is what remains of the O ring seal that fits onto the electrovalve. I found a replacement at the car spares shop in a multi pack for 65p. Since reassembling and refitting the Xantia no longer makes that hissing noise after turning off the ignition, this must have been the pressure leaking away. I have another O ring from the same packet sat in some LHM in a jar, it's been in there since December and still hasn't changed so I guess they're OK with LHM.

Steve.