Hmmm. Leaky leaky

[Dollywobbler]

Drat. Seems my repaired pipe is (probably) leaking again. Too knackered to have a proper look tonight, but it's definitely dripping LHM from the offside. From what the garage were telling me last time, the problem is the pipe that goes across the engine bay. I've never, ever changed a pipe on a BX before. Is it likely to be a DIY job or should I thankfully hand over some cash (um, if I can find some...) for someone skilled to have a go?

If it's leaking again after a couple of hundred miles, I don't think the repair has much chance of lasting 4000kms... As it is, I'm scared to touch the suspension height lever in case it makes it blow big time again.

[kiwi]

Sounds like our old favourite the Octopus pipe again?

It really depends on your level of patiance and preperation how easy it is to replace.

It will fail completly so you got to get it done one way or another.

[Dollywobbler]

Well, it's tricky not having a full understanding of how all the pipework um, works. They made it sound like it's just a pipe that needs replacing rather than the octopus. Maybe I should just take it back to them for more fettling. They can lob an accumulator on it while they're at it!

[kiwi]

Well there is a great resource on this site that shows the location of the path of the Octopus Pipe.

It is highly likely if it is a rubber pipe leaking that it is the Octopus pipe. depending on the location you could get away with a splice into the pipe.

I am only guessing going by what you have said, obviously I am not looking under your car to know exactly where you mean.

[Dollywobbler]

I might try and get under the car (safely...) tomorrow and get some shots. Evenings are dark now, but I'm on a (slightly) early finish which helps with light!

[MULLEY]

If you've paid for a repair that hasn't worked, i'd take your car back & get them to correct the problem that they didn't solve the 1st time round. Are they a citroen specialist?

[ken newbold]

Some pictures would be a good idea. The HC octopus leak always leaks down the subframe at the same spot. It's highly unlikely to be a pipe that runs across the engine bay. Pity because that would be an easier fix.

[Way2go]

If it's leaking again after a couple of hundred miles, I don't think the repair has much chance of lasting 4000kms... As it is, I'm scared to touch the suspension height lever in case it makes it blow big time again.

If it's the Octopus thats's started to leak, it will last dramatically less than 4000kms and apart from being messy will be expensive in LHM top-ups! Each time the car settles is when the major leak occurs. It will leak less if you keep it on the intermediate height setting.

PS: The Octopus will be difficult to photograph because it lives above the subframe somewhere below the viscinity of the front height corrector. It is a 3 hour replacement job to a garage skilled in hydropneumatic Citroens so allow plenty of time if you feel able to tackle this job yourself.

[Dollywobbler]

If you've paid for a repair that hasn't worked, i'd take your car back & get them to correct the problem that they didn't solve the 1st time round. Are they a citroen specialist?

Well, I think they re-repaired a previous repair. And it obviously wasn't that effective...

As it happens, the car isn't settling very much, mainly due to the shot rear arm bearings, so it isn't losing very much fluid currently. It's my sole working car at the moment though, so I need it to last just a few more days...

[mat_fenwick]

shot rear arm bearings...

...dripping LHM from the offside

Hmmm, October should be fun!

Mind you, I can't talk! My engine is still stripped down while I've been awaiting a replacement head. Still, looking on the bright side - removing the head and radiator does make it very easy to change the HP pump and accumulator...

[Dollywobbler]

Well, it'd be boring if we used the very best BXs we could find, with no issues at all wouldn't it?

As my mate told me, that negative camber at the rear just means we can corner faster (though I'm not expecting a NA diesel to be all that rapid up the mountains...)

[mat_fenwick]

Exactly. For me that applies to motoring in general, it would be very dull to drive around in a bland Eurobox. Although I've never been left stranded by my BX, or indeed any of my current fleet, there is always the feeling when driving an older car (perhaps Citroens especially!) that each journey is a little bit of an adventure! Am I alone in getting a sense of satisfaction driving past newer broken down vehicles?
Regarding France, I'm sure we'll get you round one way or another even if something does fail!

[Brian]

How about members getting some pictures up, showing repairs that have been carried out to the low pressure leak back pipes.

I will break out the camera today and post some picies of my repairs.

[Philip Chidlow]

Regarding France, I'm sure we'll get you round one way or another even if something does fail!

Although it's obviously a good idea to deal with obvious issues before leaving, there'll be plenty of expertise and willing hands available to keep the cars going. Just don't drive off the road!

[Dollywobbler]

Well, it is now charging nicely, so at least it won't need a bump start every morning...

I do want it serviced before we leave, and it's payday next week, which is good! I think I'll just take it back for the necessary. I'd really like to get on top of some of the issues myself but time has been against me lately.