Citroen XM Forum

Hi all, the bulb at the front middle, not the accumulator sphere the one in the middle back from that, would be probably under the dashboard, that type of position. It has the bulb on sideways, bulb end pointing towards the passenger side. Leak around there, we can’t see the source. Thought it was a couple of unions going into the part which has the bulb screwing into it and checked and sealed them. But still the leak is there and it isn’t light. Mass of pipes above the bulb, possibly from that area dripping down and to the left onto the floor. If I can’t cure it the lhm will run low very quickly so I must get it done but atm I’m at a loss. Diesel estate 92. Any ideas where I should be looking? Very thank ful.

Sounds like the front centre Hydractive sphere.
Leaks from there are usually not the high-pressure pipes/unions, but the low-pressure 3-4mm nylon return pipes, or the rubber elbows which connect them.
Check these returns first.

Thanks so much W E. I ll check that out, couldn’t see it first time. Can you tell me what makes them fail and can they be patched?

Rubber deteriation basicly.. With age..

The rubber elbows are still available from Citroen, pt.no. 5280 P5.
Any perished 'straights', if needed, can be replaced with 3mm bore (thick wall) rubber tube.

If Lhm is leaking rapidly just due to having the engine running it will be a high pressure leak from one of the unions.
It's unlikely to be a failed pipe, but could be a joint not tight, or a failed pipe seal.

If the leak is general wetness and is noticeable over a prolonged time frame it is likely to be a return pipe leaking.
The return is from the height corrector and fluid flows whenever the corrector takes fluid out of the suspension system, to lower the ride height.

As said, it is likely to be the rubber elbow piece, the clear nylon pipes never leak.

It is unlikely to be from the Hydractive sphere, or valve block itself, unless the sphere is loose.

You're going to have to go under the car and clean up then observe.

Hi thanks all. The unions seem tight we ve addressed them. We have observed but we just can’t see where the leak is from. There is a mass of rubber pipes plus one smaller, it seems clear nylon pipe, which someone had a go at sealing with a black compound as the pipe disappears into its destination. That is the only obvious place that may have failed but we can’t see it leaking from there. Does anyone know how many rubber pipes there are and would it make sense to replace all of them in that area, how long are they to the elbows and where is there destination near the metal pipe Union. We just can’t see properly. We noticed the leak suddenly after a 4 mile drive, it was enough to make a small puddle. When the engine was just running there was wetness but not enough to see it squirting out from anywhere. When I got back home, the level of fluid had dropped by I suppose a cup full and when left overnight there was a small puddle about six inches diameter. That could be drips which had leaked while driving which then collected?

From that what would members guess?

I'd guess that you need to have a proper look, but it sounds like the return pipe union has split.

Fine thanks, so I can home in, where is it, looking up near the bulb?