15 Six: Hydraulic overhaul

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I started by sending the pressure regulator to Phil Caron for an overhaul

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Here are some pictures he sent me

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Of course it’s dirty inside

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Here inside there is some rust, sanding or brushing should eliminate the problem

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Here are some parts after cleaning

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And here is the part reassembled, with new seals of course. Thanks Phil

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In fact the switch to the green fluid (LHM) was done a little bit quickly. All hoses are still the red fluid kind (LHS). So I replace everything I can, here the return hoses to the hydraulic tank

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I had a bad surprise with the tank when I removed it, I found one of the return tubes unwelded. But finally it was very good because I then noticed that it was almost clogged up. I cleaned it and a friend, Philippe, welded it again with a blowtorch and silver weld. Thanks Philippe

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I decided to sandblast the tank, it’s in bad shape, I would have spent too much time to prepare it correctly without sandblasting

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I protected all openings but anyways it’s very dirty inside so a good inside cleaning is planned

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The sandblasting operation reveals a hole that Claude will weld. I tried with a blowtorch, it worked for the return tube, but I didn’t succeed, I don’t really know why

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Here is the tank and its holding accessories once painted. I used a polyurethane paint with color code RAL 9005

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Here it is installed, it shines !

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I rotate the clamps to get a cleaner look

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The return tube almost clogged up made me think that it could explain the leak I had on the height corrector, so I clean the whole return line from the height corrector with methyl alcohol because I suspect it could contain remains of red hydraulic fluid

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Here is what I got, it was very dirty and it was not surprising, considering what I found inside the corrector. After a few cleaning cycles, I get clean alcohol so it should now be clean inside

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I don’t have anymore hose this size so on the corrector side I just install a clamp because red fluid hoses usually expand and become soft when used with green fluid, it was the case with this one. I’ll replace it later

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I put back the pressure regulator, with a new accumulator sphere. But the tube between the pump and regulator is ugly. It was probably a hose taken on another kind of car (perhaps a DS)

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I have the tool to shape the ends of the Citroën hydraulic hoses/tubes, so I take back the brake line I replaced and I make an hydraulic tube from it

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Here is one of the tube ends, very easy to shape with the dedicated tool, I’m happy to have it

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Here is the result…

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… it’s much nicer…

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… and closer from original configuration

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Once all connections are made, I fill the hydraulic tank and I’m ready to startup the hydraulic system

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I let the engine run for a few minutes with the regulator screw opened, for the hydraulic fluid to circulate everywhere without pressure. I don’t see any leak so I tighten the screw and quickly the back of the car lifts up

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I still notice a leak on the height corrector but I discover this is simply a lose connection. Once tightened, no leak anymore !