Przem's 2.5 TD Black/Exc (1996) - first steps into XMs world

[Dieselman]

Possible, but if the fuse is ok then the switch should be getting +12v, so should bring on the warning lamp even if the loom to the rear of the car is damaged.

[Pshemsky]

Jump in the car this afternoon, start engine try it again and....everything works perfect 8|
I'm totally confused now. Is this possible due to water condensation in car (had a small leak through door seal)?
I'll try again tonight after work but hope it stay ok now.

[Pshemsky]

Hello again Guys!
Finally got my car back on road with me behind wheel :]
OK back to subject.
I've replaced air and fuel filter and noticed this plug hanging down from the bottom of filter housing.

Guessing it's must be some kind of sensor for that fuel filter ? Does it have to be connected because I couldn't see any other connector for it below ? Or maybe it coming from another car and mine don't have such a sensor at all ?

Secon question.
What is this rubber pipe for ?



PS: Does anyone can recommend best place to get spheres from ? I would like to replace whole set and by this occasion got another question - what's difference between anti-sink and accumulator sphere ?

[White Exec]

Hi Prem,

The connector at the base of the fuel filter is for the "water in fuel" sensor (float switch). Brings up a dash warning if water accumulates significantly in the bottom of the filter bowl. There should be a corresponding wiring connector for it, perhaps in the spaghetti under the filter.

The pipe - presume you mean the short one, with the plastic connector pipe protruding from it - that appears to be the fuel supply pipe from the tank.

Someone will quickly recommend UK sphere suppliers (apart from Citroen) better than I can.

[Dieselman]

Other than genuine Citroen spheres, the best ones seem to be IFHS ones, which are readily available from AEP in Glasgow. http://www.aepdirect.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pshemsky]

There should be a corresponding wiring connector for it, perhaps in the spaghetti under the filter.

I think that been ripped off by some butcher before. Well I just open bottom drain valve once a year :]

Other than genuine Citroen spheres, the best ones seem to be IFHS ones, which are readily available from AEP in Glasgow.

Wow great and not so expensive as I expected.
In theory if I choose 'suspension comfort spheres' (put some of these in my Xantia before and didn't even know that they exist) i should have nice magic carpet ride, but after pressing 'sport mode' button it should go to stiffer mode is that right?

[White Exec]

There have been posts pointing out a snag with 'comfort' spheres on the XM. If used on the corners (wheels), they will soften up Firm Mode, but there is a corresponding loss of stability due to their lower damping ability (larger damping orifices).

On the four corners, they principally affect Firm Mode. Soft Mode ride is provided by the centre (Hydractive) sphere at each end. If you need to soften up Soft Mode, then - it has been said - one avenue could be to use a centre sphere of slightly larger capacity, or possibly increase the sphere gas pressure slightly above standard.

Personally, before doing any of this, I would make sure that everything is working fine and all spheres are textbook type, size, damping and pressures*. If that still doesn't provide an acceptable ride, then adjustments could be attempted. Ride in standard trim should be pretty good on the vintage of Mk2 we both have.

*Be cautious about spheres that lack clear OE Citroen marking - part numbers and pressures - which allows accurate cross-checking of a sphere's properties. Also be cautious about spheres which have been 'on the shelf' for extended periods; their gas pressure may be down (= firmer ride). Genuine Citroen spheres seem to have a good track record here, but you pay extra for them.
The only sure way is to be able to re-gas (and pressure check) your own, but this isn't something everyone wants to do.

Note that you have Hydractive II on your car. Manually switching to the Sport setting will not immediately stiffen up the suspension (Hydractive I did this) but it does change the thresholds where the suspension automatically goes to Firm - i.e. it goes Firm more readily, as instructed by throttle position, steering wheel movement, body movement, speed, etc. Even in Sport mode, the car will shift between Soft and Firm.

[Dieselman]

Be cautious about spheres that lack clear OE Citroen marking - part numbers and pressures - which allows accurate cross-checking of a sphere's properties. Also be cautious about spheres which have been 'on the shelf' for extended periods; their gas pressure may be down (= firmer ride). Genuine Citroen spheres seem to have a good track record here, but you pay extra for them.

Stored spheres don't seem to lose gas, probably due to the membrane being pushed hard against the steel and the reinforced part blocking the oriface. I recently tested some stored IFHS spheres that Matthew had while we were at the CCC National rally. They were bang on pressure.

[Pshemsky]

Thanks Chris. Loads of useful information just in one post. I definitely go with standard ones - safety first - and £120 for whole set of 6 is fair price. I rather go with new ones - http://www.aepdirect.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; than try to reconditioning old ones. I'm getting all parts ready for some piping job, so now need to source some good lhm fluid (maybe total if available on market).
The only thing which worries me now is the brake valve. When pressing brake pedal and car is stationery (sometimes) rear of car goes down (and stays down) till I release pedal and height goes back to standard position. When brake pressed again car stays in normal position and theres no reaction in rear. I reckon that there must be a lost of pressure somewhere in system. Not sure if I should blame spheres or brake valve?

[White Exec]

The rear brakes are fed from the suspension system, whereas the fronts come directly from the pressure regulator and security valve. I'm guessing that if your spheres are down on pressure - Accumulator sphere included - then the system might not be up to scratch when it comes to delivering proper hydraulic suspension support. Renew those spheres first.

Sign of Accumulator sphere needing replacement is very frequent clicking (cutting in) of the LHM pump, eg several times a minute.

You should be able to get Total LHM anywhere. Allegedly, all LHM is actually made by Total, irrespective of the brand label.