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C6 2.2HDi - Rear suspension leak (now fixed); now air bubbles in LDS system
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GreenLizard   
Sun Apr 12 2026, 09:14pm
Joined: Jun 25 2019
Member No: #3958
Location: Brighton
 Hi everyone

After a traumatic few weeks I have finally got my C6 operational again. Totally thanks to excellent advice over the phone from BL Autos and Chevronics, who could supply a replacement pipe, the suspension is working again!

The Citroen main dealer was telling me that the whole rear system and pump needed to be replaced!

My question is about any bleeding that now needs to be done.

After I refilled the suspension reservoir (car on low) and then put the car through a complete up and down cycle there was a small 'fizzing over of LDS' when i opened the reservoir cap and I could see lots of fine bubbles in the fluid.

My theory is to leave the car on resting on low for a few days (hopefully all the bubbles in the fluid in the reservoir will settle out) and then try the same procedure again... and continue this until I am not seeing the bubbles.

But, I am wondering if my thinking is correct and more importantly wondering if some sort of bleeding is now required?

I would have gladly had a garage carry out the work because I have no workshop and all work has to be done in the road... but alas no one wanted the job and with the car not drivable to BL Autos... i embarked on DIY which thankfully wasn't that difficult.

N.B. the replaced pipe is the 'famous' S bend flexi-pipe which feeds the rear reservoir / main unit. in case that makes any difference.


Very sorry if there is already a post about this, i searched and didn't find anything mentioning anything about bleeding the suspension following replacement of main pipes.

Thank you

Bruce
MGmike   
Sun Apr 12 2026, 11:09pm

Joined: May 21 2017
Member No: #3151
Location: South Queensferry
 Well done for getting it sorted.

The LDS does fizz a little if it gets aerated but should settle in a few minutes. The system is self bleeding and a couple of cycles up and down (leaving a little time for any bubbles to settle out) should be sufficient.
GreenLizard   
Mon Apr 13 2026, 09:51am
Joined: Jun 25 2019
Member No: #3958
Location: Brighton
 Many thanks for confirming that it is self bleeding. That's a huge relief.

Just to record a few things which I learned during the process in case this is helpful to anyone else.

1) A loss of LDS hydraulic fluid which empties the reservoir will cause the pump to not work (a safety / protective procedure to prevent it damaging itself when there's no fluid).

2) To check that the pump is OK:
a) Put some LDS fluid into the reservoir
b) Apply +0.5 bar pressure to the reservoir (to prime the pump)
c) Maintain +0.5 bar pressure until you hear the pump running
d) Once you hear the pump running you can remove the +ve pressure device

3) Unless you have a severe leak then the suspension should still work (for a short time) provided that you don't let the reservoir run dry (this will cause pump to stop q.v. point 1)

4) Access to the 'big' fuse for the pump (under the battery terminal) is really difficult- don't make this the first thing to check if you have a suspension problem which is pointing towards a leak somewhere.

I could have saved myself loads of time, hassle and money in getting a non-drivable car to and from a Citroen dealer had i known these things first...

Hope this helps others.
 

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