Small pools of LHM!

dwarfkat · Post by **dwarfkat** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:45 pm

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and would like to ask the learned members about a slight problem I have with my 1989 BX14 Leader. Just lately, I have noticed small pools of green liquid on the ground below the rear engine mount.

I have jacked up the car and found liquid is slowly dripping from a black pvc sleeve which is routed under the rear engine mounting. There are two black plastic pipes coming out of the sleeve. I have no idea where the pipes go to as I cannot see the other end of the sleeve.

I have two questions. Where do the pipes come from, or go to, and is there something in the sleeve, a join or something?

Could this leak be repaired easily or do you think I should get a specialist to have a look?

I would be grateful for any replies. BTW, what does FDV stand for?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:54 pm

These two pipes plug into the Octopus, it is possible they've just come unplugged and will need plugging back in, easier said than done.

Or it could be the octopus itself that is perished.

I should also check that the front strut return pipes and NOT secured in place with tie wraps or similar.
The front strut return pipes are the two rubber hoses which fasten on to the back of the front suspension struts to carry excess fluid back to the reservoir. These should just be a push fit onto the metal pipes fixed to the bodywork under the wheel arch. They are designed to "blow off" if the struts pass too much fluid and prevent the problem that you may have. i.e. blowing pipes off elsewhere.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:59 pm

Sounds like our old friend the Octopus Pipe!

They are the return pipes to the LHM reserviour and basically is a common problem and as the name implies have a few pipes coming from a central hub located on the subframe.

How easy to replace? Not really and I am about to do one myself the first time ever without the aid of a Citroen Mechanic in the area.

There is two short cuts I remember being shown hopefully can remember them to make life easier.

FDV=Flow Divider Valve sits up above the green Accumulator Sphere in front of engine behind Radiator has 5 pipes coming from it and controls power steering I think. Yes another pig job!

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:01 am

Except this is a BX14, so no FDV, no PAS

But as for yours, take your time, study the Haynes diagram for the flow pipes and it aint too bad. Mucky? YES!

I'm told it makes life easier if you take out the long driveshaft, but I've always managed with it in place.

Good luck.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:04 am

ahh yep me bad Ken

dwarfkat · Post by **dwarfkat** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:30 am

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help offered.

I managed to get the job done at the Bristol 2CV Centre.

The problem was the 'Octopus pipe'. A new item was fitted and in the process one of the high pressure steel pipes running along the sub-frame fell apart during the process. This was replaced with a copper pipe.

Total cost of repair including VAT - £151.00. The original price quoted was £70.00 plus VAT. so I'm not a happy chappy.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:37 pm

dwarfkat wrote:
The problem was the 'Octopus pipe'. A new item was fitted..................The original price quoted was £70.00 plus VAT.

That's the best price I've heard for an Octopus replacement. With the Octopus part being about £30 that makes the labour £50. I gather the normal labour charge for the job is 3 hours.

Overall it sound like you got an excellent deal for both your repairs at £151 all in!

Post by **docchevron** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:44 pm

For what it's worth I know the guys at 2CV's extremley well and in no way would they have ripped you off.
They are honest to a fault.

As above, replacement octopus and a new kunifer pipe done for £151 seems like good value to me.

dwarfkat · Post by **dwarfkat** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:28 am

Yes, you're correct the mechanics at the garage always do a good job. In no way do I doubt their integrity.

When I originally took the car to the garage to be looked at, I was quoted £70 plus VAT, which I considered to be a reasonable cost for the repair, so I booked a day for the repair to be carried out. The problem is that when one is on a low income to be presented with a larger bill than the original quote came as a bit of a shock.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:35 pm

Did you ask them to give you a call if the bill was going to cost more? If not then my understanding is that they would go ahead with the repair unless it was a huge amount.

I know what you mean about having costings for a job, the number of times what i was quoted wasnt what i was charged was quite regular. I would challenge the bills though & occasionally they would reduce it.

The above wasnt about the place where you took your car by the way...