excessive fluid returning?

[Alastair]

1.9 diesel BX (non turbo)..Estate...there is a clear plastic pipe, a return pipe, which sits under the fifth sphere at the front... It keeps detaching its self and spilling fluid.....Whats the cause and cure please?.....No amount of clips etc will make it stay put!!
Many thanks

[mds141]

I think that's a breather pipe for the LHM reservoir. Has the reservoir been overfilled?

[citronut]

the plastic pipe at the underside of the regulator is a seepage return for various hydraulic components in the system, i comes from a little rubber three way union on top of the front sub frame and below the battery tray,

the usual cause of this popping off is the accumulator sphere flat or as near as damn it,

my TZD was popping this pipe several times last month, till it decided the pop it of at the three way union ,

my regulator was not ticking - flat accumulator sphere, i swapped the complete regulator including the sphere, this seems to have stopped now, at least for the time being

regards malcolm

[Tinkley]

I'd second Malcolm wise advice - the accumulator is most likely flat and needs replacing. If you don't another T or Y junction will fail etc etc.

[Alastair]

That makes sense I have a 5 Dr diesel hatch that is currently being broken it has a relatively new accumulator sphere is this likely to be comparable with the estate one? Otherwise I can get one sourced tomorrow.

[citronut]

all BX accumulator spheres are the same, apart from flat or charged up one's that is

regards malcolm

[pwykes]

I had exactly the same issue on my bx diesel. I found fluid on the drive checked underneath and the plastic return pipe had been disconnected from the accumulator leakback connections. I promptly connected it back up again and used clips to retain the pipe and then a week later the same thing happened again. I thought how strange, anyway I eventually found the reason. I dont think for one minute this answer is going to help you in anyway but here it goes. A rat was using the inside of the engine compartment as protection from my terrier dog. The dog was caught ripping at the pipe trying to get to the rat and he also chewed through radiator temp/level wire, little monkey.

[citronut]

I had exactly the same issue on my bx diesel. I found fluid on the drive checked underneath and the plastic return pipe had been disconnected from the accumulator leakback connections. I promptly connected it back up again and used clips to retain the pipe and then a week later the same thing happened again. I thought how strange, anyway I eventually found the reason. I dont think for one minute this answer is going to help you in anyway but here it goes. A rat was using the inside of the engine compartment as protection from my terrier dog. The dog was caught ripping at the pipe trying to get to the rat and he also chewed through radiator temp/level wire, little monkey.

that mouse-t be a first

regards malcolm

[Alastair]

New sphere purchased and fitted on Saturday as suggested. Will let you know progress. Out of a matter of interest tho what specifically is the function of the fifth sphere?

[mds141]

The accumulator sphere acts as a store of pressure in case of HP pressure failing, enabling you to maintain steering and braking. A flat accumulator sphere causes the HP pump to run excessively, resulting in premature failure of said pump.

[citronut]

The accumulator sphere acts as a store of pressure in case of HP pressure failing, enabling you to maintain steering and braking. A flat accumulator sphere causes the HP pump to run excessively, resulting in premature failure of said pump.

its mainly a back up pressure reserve for the bakes only,

the pump is running continuously all the time so a flat sphere should not hurt it, its the regulator that can sustain damage through constantly cutting in and out ( ticking ), because constant ticking is hammering the internal components of said regulator

regards malcolm

[Way2go]

The accumulator sphere acts as a store of pressure in case of HP pressure failing, enabling you to maintain steering and braking. A flat accumulator sphere causes the HP pump to run excessively, resulting in premature failure of said pump.

its mainly a back up pressure reserve for the bakes only,

the pump is running continuously all the time so a flat sphere should not hurt it, its the regulator that can sustain damage through constantly cutting in and out ( ticking ), because constant ticking is hammering the internal components of said regulator.

regards malcolm

You are both concentrating on the secondary (but nevertheless important) function of the accumulator. Its primary purpose is to smooth out the delivery of hydraulic system pressure. Its function is similar to an air receiver tank used with an air compressor.

[citronut]

Its primary purpose is to smooth out the delivery of hydraulic system pressure.

not the hole system but just to damp the operation of the regulator ( or as citroen call it a circuit breaker ) switching in and out

[nige]

just to add.. i had this and replacing the sphere fixed the problem

[Jaba]

I am surprised that nobody mentioned the easy way to test the accumulator by sitting on the back end of the car after switching off and waiting for a good rise.