capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

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andycadabra
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capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by andycadabra »

Can anyone tell me the capacity of the BX hydraulic system? It's not given in the Haynes manual, googling and searching the forum has got me nowhere.
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by rutter123 »

I would think somewhere around 5 to 6 litres, approx 3 litres of this is held in the reservoir.
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andycadabra
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by andycadabra »

Thanks, Rutter. my car became inspired to paint the streets of Walworth green, and I wasn't sure whether the 2 1/2 Litres I have would be enough, once I fix the leak, so have now ordered another 5L on eBay.
I'm surprised the capacity isn't given in the manual though.
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Way2go
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by Way2go »

At 6 litres you have an over-estimate of 50% . With 7.5 litres to hand you have almost enough to fill the system twice over!
The actual capacity is 4.2 litres. (As given in the BX Handbook.)
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andycadabra
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by andycadabra »

looks like I'll have some ready for the next time it springs a leak!
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by Way2go »

A tip if the octopus springs a leak; put the height lever in intermediate and you will lose hardly any fluid on the journey before you get it fixed, only when the car settles after engine off. :D
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by tim »

OK, useful. But what exactly is this doing that 'normal' ride position doesn't provide? PS the Red One blew out a rear strut in exactly the same way as the White One did (terminal corrosion) last week so that's one of the spares pressed into service!
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Re: capacity of the BX hydraulic system?

Post by Way2go »

tim wrote:OK, useful. But what exactly is this doing that 'normal' ride position doesn't provide?
In 'normal' there is always a regular dynamic fluid return from the height correctors when driving and this flow is heavier as you pass over bumps and potholes. In 'intermediate' the valve is in a different position and there is hardly any flow-back from the height correctors when this higher setting is selected.

However it will not help if one of the strut seals 'let go' as the fluid bypass then will be enough to blow the strut returns apart and if your car is one of those that has been 'modified' to have clips where it should just push on then the volume of LHM being passed will blow the octopus apart instead. :shock: I was lucky it was just the strut returns for me but in addition I did have to replace the n/s front strut at the roadside as the fluid loss was so great. :)
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