octopus -job done, no problems.

tim · Post by **tim** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 6:00 pm

Another drip last week from the Red One, which suggested there was no point in waiting any longer to do the octopus. Having read all I could find on this forum the views seemed to be either 'oh no - not the octopus!' or 'what's the problem?'
I originally wanted to bulkhead mount it (as someone did earlier this year) but veered between 'extra joints to leak' to 'accessability' etc., but in the end I thought it had to be worth it. I was surprised how many of you didn't seem to know what the pod was, where it was or what it looks like, so Andy has taken some pics which I daresay will appear with this thread as soon as he reads this. The thing is flat, all rubber, isn't bolted to anything and lies flat on the chassis crossmember. It is lodged under the front height corrector and the only way to withdraw it sensibly is forward and towards the wheel. Someone reckoned the driveshaft has to come out; it doesn't. As you need the car on ramps to get underneath you want yer wheels on. Getting the old one out was simply a question of pulling the little shit out bit by bit with pliers, after disconnecting the hoses as you go. This convinced me that never again would I go through that.....filthy job. The new octopus went on the bulkhead as you can see on the picture, and using about 3 metres of 3mm tubing from Pleiades (still going and nice helpful guys) I bridged the gaps using copper pipe offcuts which were a snug push fit to link the extra piping. The two sizes of plastic return piping needed to be extended of course and I robbed the scrappy again, but anything would do. Job done. Sounds simple but in fact I had the usual first-timer problems. Next time, with the suspension on 'high' I'll break the joints on the strut pipes before anything else, then they'll just pull off. I'll also have a much longer pair of long-nose pliers, at least a foot long; the shorter ones means you are gripping them just where the strut and axle gubbins get in the way.
The octopus is mounted on the bulkhead liner as it weighs nowt so no need to drill holes in metal. The copper bridges don't leak; if they did a smear of superglue when fitting would sort that. As far as 'where does everything go?' the colour diagram available on this forum is all I needed
As per my recent post I found fitting the new pipes on the height corrector the worst job; dipping the new pipes in hot water and pre-stretching them using a tapered punch helps a lot, and decent pliers are a must.
On the subject of pipes, don't forget that every other pipe is probably the same age so while you are at it, change the second return pipe on the height corrector, which goes up to the reservoir, as well. Mine was on the point of failure and actually broke off the small triple block by the reservoir when I handled it; another copper bridge solved that one.
Like I said, everything has been roadtested and Citrobiced. From now on, any drips can be traced the the individual pipe concerned and replaced if necessary with having to prat around wondering whether the latest puddle is the actual octopus or not. Definitely worth doing, plus I now know my way around the hydraulics a bit better.

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:58 pm

Here is a pic of the bulkhead mounted octopus.

Andy

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:03 pm

Another one

Andy

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:06 pm

Job done.

Andy

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:09 pm

Here are a couple of 'used' octopi, the really horrible top one came from Tim's motor.

Andy

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:15 pm

Here is Tim with his BX showing the entire bulkhead mounting, well done bud.

Andy

BX Meteor · Post by **BX Meteor** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:27 am

Nice idea, looks much more practical for trouble shooting later on.

I have two questions
(i) would it be possible to cut the octopus into its separate systems (I think it comprises of 3 separate systems) ??
(ii) would that make layout/routing in the bulkhead a bit easier ??

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:54 am

That's nicely done. If only Citroen could have thought of it in the first place!

I realise that we've got no 'technical sticky' for the octopus business, though there must be a ton of accumulated thought/opinion/expertise now..

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:41 am

Nar, I don't like it, would be too easy to replace next time.

sdelasal · Post by **sdelasal** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:25 am

Nice work Tim and a good reference. I know what you mean when you said 'plus I now know my way around the hydraulics a bit better' - I felt the same having replaced the front to rear pipes and had the rear apart.

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 8:44 pm

BX Meteor wrote: (i) would it be possible to cut the octopus into its separate systems (I think it comprises of 3 separate systems) ??

Yes:
http://www.rmattila.com/images/remontit ... us_change/

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:08 pm

Yes bud, i see it can be done but your way of doing it is so very complex for us mere grunts.
Most of us aint engineers and surely pulling the lot out and relacing the whole thing is the way to go. Ok, if there aint one on the shelf, a small wait till one is obtained isnt really a problem.
I could never do it your way, too much like hard work for me, bad enough following Tims instructions, especially if its all stuffed back from whence it came with bugger all access.
And actually, you havnt answered the question if the octopus can be cut. You have made a complete replacement which isnt the same.

I think the octopus replacement needs to be made as simple as possible. Ime certainly up for a bulkhead mounted jobbie, so much easier to get at any future leaks should the rest of the motor last that long!!

.

Your pics are great however but i couldnt do it.

Andy

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:24 pm

I don't understand the concerns with the octopus, the original lasts 15 years + so all in all it is a very reliable bit of kit in it's original form so why tamper?

rmattila · Post by **rmattila** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:27 pm

As I see it, there are actually three somewhat separate issues:

Can the octopus replacement be made from three parts?
Can it be made by splitting the original octopus in three?
What is the optimal location for the three-part octopus?

My answer was to the first one: yes, it really consists of three separate circuits. As to the second one, I do not see a point paying 80 euros for the original-looking rubber monster, if I can get the parts for the replacement one for maybe tenth of that sum at the nearest hardware store (and get them immediately instead of having to wait for the mail for days). For the third one: the bulkhead probably is the optimal place for the part, it's ME who wasn't clever enough when the emergency arose a couple of months ago.

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:28 pm

Yes but all my motors are well over 15+years.

Andy