Newbie needing advice on water loss

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:34 pm

DLM wrote:
I can see the leak is from the innermost pipe entering the water pump where the 2 small pipes run in parallel and enter into the rearmost part of the pump. This pipe returns upwards & along the wing but then moves forward and seems to disappear into the wing/chassis frame just below the fuel filter I cannot see where it goes.
That doesn't sound like a configuration I'm familiar with: a picture or two would speak a thousand words, if possible.

I think the pipe he is referring to is the lower hose to the bottom of the radiator - that runs underneath the front chassis leg. I've seen a couple that have gone soft with an oil leak from the rocker cover, with the subsequent result that the pipe clip cuts into the hose...

kermit the frog · Post by **kermit the frog** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:16 am

From the description and what mat says i would also say it is the lower rad hose.
I would agree with mat in the oil leak causing the pipe to swell and deteriorate.
I replaced mine with two silicone hose bends and a length of alloy tube many years ago and have not had any problems since.

Regards kermit

Thickasmud · Post by **Thickasmud** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:22 pm

Thanks for all the many suggestions and support. Being a novice on the BX and not wanting to risk the car any further, Ken I took your advice and headed down to Medway Cit.

Bizarely the car did not leak on the way down @30 miles on the M2. Only when Phil did a pressure test did the waters flow. And not from the water pump or the bottom hose as expected.

He thinks its the warm water hose or return to the pre-heater box, possibly the preheater unit itself. As the leak is slightly higher up to the actual water pump.

Anyway hope to have the car back early next week, meanwhile transport is their "trusty" pool car, yes, none other than the St Tropez 1.4 special (and yes it is far quicker than my 1.9 Auto diesel). (':o')

Thanks all

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:34 pm

Glad to hear it's been diagnosed - apologies if my questions/suggestions were at all over the top or a bit pernickity, but it's very easy to fixate on one "cause" for a fault when there are still other possibilities.

Thickasmud · Post by **Thickasmud** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:35 pm

Disaster avoided, no further leaks, another diesel BX saved form burning up; courtesy Medway Cit.

The two rear hoses were replaced, both split and looking very sorry. After re-assembling everything the car was taken out for a quick check and it seems the fuel pump (Auto diesel) decided to self destruct.

Not best pleased, but on reflection it could have happened miles from a sympathetic garage, whilst I was driving and a freely revving Auto is not a happy place to be from past experience. On balance I shall consider myself fortunate. Philippe was very gracious and turned the car around with a replacement fuel pump for a token charge within the afternoon.

The car now runs rather well and will I hope see some summer use.

Thanks Medway Citroen and the members that steered us in that direction.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:45 pm

Sounds like you've had a very lucky escape, most diesel engineers will charge hundreds of £ to sort out a pump!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:13 pm

Curious about your pump - if you search this site you'll find that such problems are virtually unknown unless

The engine injests its own lubricating oil - in which case you've still got a problem

or (Roto-Diesel pumps only) air gets in the fuel supply - when the thing will either run normally when it gets non-aerated fuel or stop as its run out of fuel.

There may be fuel pipe junctions at the back of the engine.