4 ms·

> run the hydraulics using electronics rather than the system in use based on Mercedes S class parts Why not just use the original hydraulics system? Its only

by Svip 7y ago

> run the hydraulics using electronics rather than the system in use based on Mercedes S class parts Why not just use the original hydraulics system? Its only downside is the old pipes, that can corrode. If you replace them with modern coated copper ones, leaks won't be a problem. I think you'd be introducing more problems than necessary if you replaced it with an electronic pump and height adjuster. (Speaking as someone with a DS 23. And only to be slightly pedantic, I believe the DS19 is an ID19.) Personally, I would love to buy a series 1 CX and replace its engine with an electric one. That will be my project, once I get to buy my house in the country and get my workshop. (I already have two cars that I need space for.)

jacquesm 7y ago
The DS19 was the early, 1.9 liter engined version of the DS. There are also 2.1 and 2.3 liter versions, the 2.3 with fuel injection is the most sought after one. The ID19 is the cheap version of the same car, it was sold with a manual gearbox, 'regular' brakes and a cheaper interior. I would not use the 'green system' because the pumps, regulators, hydro computer and membrane based 'balls' are all way past their end of life. If you're going to upgrade the car you might as well take that bit along. And if the chassis you use as a base has the red system on it you're going to be spending a lot of money anyway. I'd rather use a 'supported' set of parts for something as important as staying off the ground and the S-class system works well and would easily manage a car with the weight of the DS, even when powered electrically. It would use a small fraction of the pump capacity that the DS requires. I've restored two DS's in the 80's, lots of fun to work on and to drive.
- Svip 7y ago
  Except the S-class system is just suspension, not shock absorbing like the Citroën-system. Plus it's just suspension, not steering and brakes either. How would you incorporate that if you replaced it with the S-class system? You're certain the S-class pump could handle that? And while, yes, the LHM-system is technically not supported any more by Citroën, there are plenty of licenced manufacturers out there, particularly in the Netherlands, that can provide you with the needed parts. An LHS-system, I'd rather avoid entirely. Still, I'll wish you luck on that project. (And you're right, the ID19 came later. And my DS 23 is with electronic fuel injection. And a 5 speed manual gearbox.)
  - jacquesm 7y ago
    As for replacing the suspension/shocks, that's not a simple job, but I've done far more complex stuff. Besides, it's only on paper and I highly doubt I will ever have either the time or the workshop + tools required to pull that off. Likely your DS originally came with the half-automatic and the manual gearbox replaced a broken half-automatic. This was done quite frequently the failure rate on the half-automatics was quite high. I still remember the sound it would make in the last few hundred kilometers before failure. By the way, that fuel injection system is made by Bosch, the same system was used in the Volvo's of that era, on the Volvo's there are absolutely no problems with the system whereas the DS ones were frequently plagued by failure and fire. Keep an extinguisher in your car please, just in case.
    - Svip 7y ago
      Well, should you ever get the opportunity, however, I wish you success! My DS originally came with the 5-speed manual. The 5-speed transmission is special, and the engine was specially built to support it. If your half-automatic failed, you replaced it with a 4-speed manual. Both the half-automatic and the 4-speed could support a manual hand starter at the front, the 5-speed cannot. I learnt this a few years back, when my engine had to go through a renovation, and it was apparent that only one transmission could fit on the engine; a 5 speed manual. So it would also have had to have its engine replaced, which I find a little unlikely. Although, someone had decorated it to make it look like a Pallas, even though it was originally not. The problem with the fuel injection system in the DS is that power distribution is not electronic (while the rest is). But you can buy a replacement for that to make it electronic, which greatly reduces the risk of catching fire. Most people these days replace their power distributor to an electronic one. Although, more for the reason that you get a smoother ride, since it is better at distributing the fuel. That being said, in all my time of owning a DS, I have not heard of anyone catching fire in their DS.
      - jacquesm 7y ago
        Yes, that's the tell tale, the hole in the front bumper. Great cars. I really commend you for managing to keep one alive after so many years. I wished I could have justified keeping mine on the road, DE-70-72, if you can find out where it sits (it's been sitting unused for many years) you'll find a DS that looks crap but was technically completely rebuilt. It should sit somewhere near IJmuiden. There is an engine in there with about 2000 km on it, brand new steering assembly, suspension arms, hydraulics, the lot.

by Svip 7y ago

jacquesm 7y ago

The DS19 was the early, 1.9 liter engined version of the DS. There are also 2.1 and 2.3 liter versions, the 2.3 with fuel injection is the most sought after one. The ID19 is the cheap version of the same car, it was sold with a manual gearbox, 'regular' brakes and a cheaper interior. I would not use the 'green system' because the pumps, regulators, hydro computer and membrane based 'balls' are all way past their end of life. If you're going to upgrade the car you might as well take that bit along. And if the chassis you use as a base has the red system on it you're going to be spending a lot of money anyway. I'd rather use a 'supported' set of parts for something as important as staying off the ground and the S-class system works well and would easily manage a car with the weight of the DS, even when powered electrically. It would use a small fraction of the pump capacity that the DS requires. I've restored two DS's in the 80's, lots of fun to work on and to drive.

Svip 7y ago
Except the S-class system is just suspension, not shock absorbing like the Citroën-system. Plus it's just suspension, not steering and brakes either. How would you incorporate that if you replaced it with the S-class system? You're certain the S-class pump could handle that? And while, yes, the LHM-system is technically not supported any more by Citroën, there are plenty of licenced manufacturers out there, particularly in the Netherlands, that can provide you with the needed parts. An LHS-system, I'd rather avoid entirely. Still, I'll wish you luck on that project. (And you're right, the ID19 came later. And my DS 23 is with electronic fuel injection. And a 5 speed manual gearbox.)
- jacquesm 7y ago
  As for replacing the suspension/shocks, that's not a simple job, but I've done far more complex stuff. Besides, it's only on paper and I highly doubt I will ever have either the time or the workshop + tools required to pull that off. Likely your DS originally came with the half-automatic and the manual gearbox replaced a broken half-automatic. This was done quite frequently the failure rate on the half-automatics was quite high. I still remember the sound it would make in the last few hundred kilometers before failure. By the way, that fuel injection system is made by Bosch, the same system was used in the Volvo's of that era, on the Volvo's there are absolutely no problems with the system whereas the DS ones were frequently plagued by failure and fire. Keep an extinguisher in your car please, just in case.
  - Svip 7y ago
    Well, should you ever get the opportunity, however, I wish you success! My DS originally came with the 5-speed manual. The 5-speed transmission is special, and the engine was specially built to support it. If your half-automatic failed, you replaced it with a 4-speed manual. Both the half-automatic and the 4-speed could support a manual hand starter at the front, the 5-speed cannot. I learnt this a few years back, when my engine had to go through a renovation, and it was apparent that only one transmission could fit on the engine; a 5 speed manual. So it would also have had to have its engine replaced, which I find a little unlikely. Although, someone had decorated it to make it look like a Pallas, even though it was originally not. The problem with the fuel injection system in the DS is that power distribution is not electronic (while the rest is). But you can buy a replacement for that to make it electronic, which greatly reduces the risk of catching fire. Most people these days replace their power distributor to an electronic one. Although, more for the reason that you get a smoother ride, since it is better at distributing the fuel. That being said, in all my time of owning a DS, I have not heard of anyone catching fire in their DS.
    - jacquesm 7y ago
      Yes, that's the tell tale, the hole in the front bumper. Great cars. I really commend you for managing to keep one alive after so many years. I wished I could have justified keeping mine on the road, DE-70-72, if you can find out where it sits (it's been sitting unused for many years) you'll find a DS that looks crap but was technically completely rebuilt. It should sit somewhere near IJmuiden. There is an engine in there with about 2000 km on it, brand new steering assembly, suspension arms, hydraulics, the lot.