Perished front height corrector return hose

[Boxwolf]

Recently, the rubber return hose from the front height corrector has begun to split. I took it into the garage a few weeks ago, who cut and pushed it back on, but it has continued splitting and is now leaking quite badly again. I took the car in today and they said to replace that pipe they would have to replace the entire small octopus, and that the part doesn't appear to be available anymore.

They are going to call back if they can find a supplier, but what shall I do if they can't? I wasn't aware the small octopus was no longer stocked anywhere.

[Mothman]

Can you get its part No? Ive just ordered the complete set off a Main dealer in Tun Wells.

Andy

[Jaba]

bought the octopi from Hartwell Citroën in Abingdon. main dealer. told them what i wanted and gave them the part numbers. parts were delivered to them within 48 hours, allegedly from France. 96056235 i believe is the brake leak back cost 39.66. also bought the large and small octopi 96 119 048, 96 030 258. believe those last two were the correct no. the many piped one cost 62 quid the other was a bit less, can't find the receipt at the moment.

The front height corrector return via the so called small octopus or oil back harness comes in two types, I think you will need the later 3 branch type pno. 96119048. This style came in after RP No 5167. It is however an easy enough job to patch in a length of new replacement hose 4.5 mm I think. Pleiades can supply hose and connectors if Hartwells cant sort you out.

[Boxwolf]

I asked the guys at the garage about patching in a new stretch of hose when I took it there and they said it was impossible as it would just split where the old hose joins the new one instead of where the hose joins the height corrector. They also said the pipes wouldn't match as they taper out as they approach the junction.

I have also rang Hartwell up and they say the part would have to be imported from france and may or may not turn up when ordered.

[Geoffrey Gould]

Try Plaidies ,I know the spelling is wrong but it's the nearest I can get, part no.953644688.BX with power steering.Martin will be able to help you I think.Phone number. 01487831239.
G.

[Boxwolf]

We rang the garage today, and they said they had managed to order in the part despite previously saying it was unlikely. Apparently it's going to cost a lot to buy/fit but if it keeps the BX on the road then it has to be done really. I will let people on here know how things have gone once they have progressed.

[MULLEY]

The part is approx £40-60 & labour should be 3hrs & no longer, otherwise you're being ripped off.

[themildbunch]

Unless the garage is used to doing these they'll be taking the driveshaft out to make it easier and while you're paying for this labour it would be wise to get the main octopus done too as all the pushing and shoving may well split some other pipes if they've started to go...

Unless you're happy to do some permanent / semi-permanent pipe repair it'd be best to do both once and properly - probably outlast the car if both done together..

I repaired my main octopus as it was just the usual short very bent hose that had split and the rest seemed ok - took an hour or so of fiddling the the wheel off but has lasted OK for 6 months now - if you use silicone hose / proper sized fuel hose clips or good cable ties and plastic barb connectors and you're careful not to stress the old pipes too much I expect you could probably fix what you're described.

[Boxwolf]

Spoke to the garage today and they didn't find the right part - they ordered the wrong one, main octopus. Apparently they will phone their supplier today and ask if they have the correct part ...

themildbunch, the main octopus was replaced only 3 years ago, so it should be fine.

[Boxwolf]

Nope, they said they couldn't get the part, and here's the best bit. When we asked what we were supposed to do about it they said "get a newer car"

Just so people know, this is Air Cooled Engineering of Cowley, Oxford

[themildbunch]

Nope, they said they couldn't get the part, and here's the best bit. When we asked what we were supposed to do about it they said "get a newer car"

Just so people know, this is Air Cooled Engineering of Cowley, Oxford

I can't stand that attitude -

Only a few days ago - one of the several Main Dealers who are selling off old BX stock on eBay had 2 of these parts in stock - not there now but it's worth contacting them:

one here...

another one here...

both seem to be sold now - but I've been in contact with another main dealer seller, who seems to have some old BX stuff - westexemotors...

[Boxwolf]

I have placed an order for a new harness with Hartwell, and they said they will let me know if/when the part arrives. Fingers crossed. Can anyone recommend another local citroen specialist garage? Not sure if I want to return to this one...

[Mothman]

Had a call this pm from my local main stealer in Tun Wells to say that they have all the oil back harness parts for a BX [including the one you need] 2 days after i ordered them so they are available. Suggest you do this from a big main dealer near you.

Andy

[citsncycles]

I find that on the odd occasions I try a main dealer, parts availability has less to do with actual availability and more with if the dealer can be bothered. I've known Beacon Motors say that spark plugs for a CX22 were unavailable, while a dealer near Thame (I forget the name as is was several years ago) managed to order me a clutch kit for an H van!

[mat_fenwick]

Agreed. I was told the drop links are NFP this Monday, and he was about to end the call when I asked if he could check other dealers. I then found that they had one in stock themselves, and so did another 40 miles away!