Citroen Xantia (1993 - 2000) - 99 1.8 front centre sphere

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Sat 23 Jan 2010 17:58
99 1.8 front centre sphere - littleolliez
Just wondering if anybody can help my xantia has just failed the mot on a leaking front centre sphere. Looking at it the leak is coming from between the metal plate and the end of the sphere. Can anyone tell me whether there is a seal inside and can you just buy the seal or the whole sphere. Can any help with info on bleeding the system after this is done.. Thanx
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Sat 23 Jan 2010 22:38
99 1.8 front centre sphere - RichardW
Presumably this is not a VSX or Exclusive car,and hence the 'centre' sphere is the accumulator. Unusual for them to leak if they have not been disturbed. There certainly is a seal, and it is available either from Citroen dealer, or GSF. To change the seal, with engine running set the car in low, leave it running for a minute or so, then undo the bleed screw (the 12mm bolt sticking out of the front of the regulator the accumulator is attached to) by 1.5 turns ONLY - do NOT remove this bolt. Allow the engine to run another minute or so then shut it down. You should now be able to remove the sphere - normal right hand thread. Use strap / chain wrench as required! Remove the old seal, and then oil the new seal with LHM, and fit it to the sphere neck (it should be a square section seal - some after market sphere suppliers ship O-rings, which don't work), then screw the sphere on hand tight only. Tighten the bleed screw, start the engine, and check for leaks - it will take some time to get suspension pressure again.

These only usually leak if the wrong seal has been fitted, the seal has been fitted to the mount rather than the sphere, or the accumulator is flat ( listen for rapid clicking with the engine running) - in this case, replace the sphere (<£25 from GSF car parts or euro car parts).
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Sat 23 Jan 2010 23:17
99 1.8 front centre sphere - littleolliez
I'm not sure if I explained the problem properly but it is not the sphere but as you look at the part from in front. It is on the the right hand side of the sphere. There is a metal plate coming from the gear box housing with one bolt through and is attached to what I believe to be the regulator by one bolt and it is one here that it is leaking. Thank you Richard for your reply If this is the part you are talking about could you let me know many thanks.
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Sat 23 Jan 2010 23:20
99 1.8 front centre sphere - Peter.N.
I will leave it to you Richard LOL
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