Hi, it's the village idiot again

[Xen]

How can I tell what HP/kv my elderly (1989) BX is - I am trying desperately to find some parts online, and the websites just keep asking me more and more difficult questions - every time I get one of the answers right, they think of another question!
He is a BX 16RS, if that helps.
Many thanks to anyone who can help me keep him on the road

[Mothman]

Hi bud,

what do you need?

Andy

[Xen]

Hello
The "Refusal of an MOT Test Certificate" form (weeps into hands) says that:
1. Front (four way valve) fluid suspension unit leaking
2. Offside rear fluid suspension unit supply pipe corroded and seriously weakened
3. Rear fluid suspension levelling valve leaking

Having said all this, the garage (who have been looking after my car for about 18 years) think they will only have trouble getting number one - the four way valve, and maybe three - the levelling valve.
Any helpful suggestions: gratefully received!

[citronut]

is the garage you use familiar with citroens,

what is the four way valve?????

also if they mean by No. 3 the height corrector all the parts are readily available, from the likes of

http://shop.citroenclassics.co.uk/heigh ... -253-p.asp

it is usually just the above rubbery bits that fail/leak,

and the metal pipes can be made up in copper nickle

regards malcolm

[Xen]

I'm not sure if they are familiar with Citroens generally, but they have been really good with mine over the years.
I haven't the foggiest idea what the 'four way valve' is - something to do with the suspension, apparently, but that's all I know right now :S
Number 3 - rear fluid suspension levelling valve - well, your guess is better than mine - but if they don't find anything by tomorrow afternoon (panicking now, due to the MoT expiry date) - I will ring them and give them the web address you have suggested.
Thankyou very much for your help, Malcolm -
Xen

[JayW]

The "4-way valve" will be the FDV. It'll either be leaking from loose unions (most likely) or from the sidecap O-rings. Both of which are easy to remedy.

[citronut]

The "4-way valve" will be the FDV. It'll either be leaking from loose unions (most likely) or from the sidecap O-rings. Both of which are easy to remedy.

if it is loose pipe nuts just nip them up and clean the FDV= this is the square block on the front of the engine just above the regulator/sphere,

if it is the end caps leaking just clean the area and re/present the car to the test station,

Martin at Pleiades on
01487 831239

will make and send pipes out to order, all he requires is the length and the size of pipe flare nuts ( 3.5, 4.5 or 6.5 )

it will not be 6.5 and unlikely the be 4.5 at the rear end of the car though


regards malcolm

[Xen]

Hello - and thankyou everyone for your help so far, I really appreciate it.
Just one question (for now!) - what is the FDV? I looked for it in my trusty and incomprehensible Haynes manual, but couldn't find it.
Sorry to be so daft.

[Xen]

Back again - just spoke to the guys at the garage. They want my car back in at the beginning of next week to wash off the bottom and properly diagnose the fault before we rush into spending a lot of money on a new "Front (four way valve) Fluid Suspension Unit". The only other description that they can give me of this thing is that it is
"where the accumulator sphere goes on - the body that the accumulator sphere screws into."

However, I am still going to have to get a new "Rear Fluid Suspension Levelling Valve" - is this the right name for it, please?
Thanks again.

[JayW]

The rear unit you describe is the "Height corrector". New ones are scarce but rebuilding the one you have with the parts linked above is a doddle.

The FDV (which is the part you garage describe) is the "flow diverter valve" and splits the hydraulic fluid between the high pressure system (brakes/suspension) and the low pressure system (steering). There are 2 pipes to the top and 2 from the bottom, these VERY often come loose due to vibration and leak, all that's required is tightening.

(The part the sphere actually screws into is the :edit: "Pressure Regulator" located right beneath the FDV and can easily be mistaken for a single part as they are bolted together - however, it doesn't have 4 pipes so isn't "4-way").

The only other possibility is that there are 2 round indents on either side (left/right), these are metal "caps" sealed with o-rings that deteriorate and fail. they can be replaced with th FDV off the car.

Removal and rebuild of the Height corrctor is 2 hours, th FDV is 3 assuming they have the faintest idea what they are doing. New FDV's are NOT available.

[jamescarruthers]

Where are you based? I'm sure your mechanics are competent but with Citroen hydraulics it's often best to go to an expert so you don't waste money paying for them to learn about your car's system.

None of it is too difficult however time is money at garages and it all adds up. For example, I was horrified when busy at work recently that a wheel bearing supplied and fitted ended up at £180 at my local garage!!!

So, let us know where you are and we might be able to suggest a garage you could go to.

I use one in Sawtry and one in Hitchin and live in Cambridge. I'm not mad, it is worth the extra travel with a BX!

[Mothman]

Who said you are not 'mad' James!! You have a BX!!

Andy

[citronut]

The only other description that they can give me of this thing is that it is
"where the accumulator sphere goes on - the body that the accumulator sphere screws into."

quote me above
"FDV= this is the square block on the front of the engine just above the regulator/sphere,"

However, I am still going to have to get a new "Rear Fluid Suspension Levelling Valve" - is this the right name for it, please?
Thanks again.

you will almost certainly NOT require a new "Rear Fluid Suspension Levelling Valve" = equals = height corrector

quote me above
"No. 3 the height corrector all the parts are readily available, from the likes of

http://shop.citroenclassics.co.uk/heigh ... -253-p.asp

it is usually just the above rubbery bits that fail/leak,"


regards malcolm

[citronut]

(The part the sphere actually screws into is the "Accumulator"

shame on you Jay
wrong answer you forfeit 100 brownie points

the unit the accumulator sphere screws onto is the pressure regulator, or citroen call it a circuit breaker


regards malcolm

[JayW]

That's obviously what i meant, thanks for the correction.

Though slightly confused as to why your entire post above just repeats exactly what i'd stated!