1966 Citroen Safari – ID21F

The HP pump recently developed a leak, with LHM seeping out onto the motor case, then progressing to coat the transmission housing. Mostly this resulted in a dark stain from dust gathering on the oil.

At some point, some LHM would accumulate under the car, in a small puddle, after a few days. Also the affected area moved closer to the right brake rotor and turned from a nice to get to one day to “fix right now” priority.

It seemed the leak developed in the main housing o-ring, but as became clear when the pump was removed, the leak came from the front shaft seal, behind the pulley.

The winter garage storage was the perfect time to send the pump away for a reseal. The pump received a new main bearing at the same time. It was determined the bearing had excessive play – likely accelerating the front seal failure.

During the reinstall I decided to replace the generic (Gates) suction hose with a reproduction LHM hose which I happened to have on hand from a stock order a few years earlier.

I was disappointed to discover that the 1 meter section of the LHM suction hose (such a hose has longitudinal ribs with several valleys marked with green paint – one wide and one thin stripes) was malformed with some abrasion marks, and a twist that resulted in the green stripe getting “off track.” Still, a better choice than the generic hose.

Lest you think such things a trivial matter, which they are, I’ll remind you that Citroen represents Design, with a capital “D” and that everything its engineers and stylists came up with in the 1950s, ’60s and 70s’ is now part of the Citroen design cannon of the era. In fact, if not to celebrate it, why else would one want the Citroen Goddess? For practical transport? I don’t think so.

I see little point in “upgrading” the important visual details anywhere in the car, including in the engine compartment – something so compelling of unending fascination amongst the marque fans. One need only to visit any vintage Citroen auto meet to observe the many chin stroking people peering over the fenders, under the hood.

In any event, the HP pump R&R offered a chance to get rid of the Gates hose and the worm clamp (practical as they may have been) that had harshed on the design vibe every time I noticed it over the last few years.

Previously, I had occasion to replace the worm gear hose on the LHM reservoir side with the Ligarex. The relatively small diameter of that installation requires the less common Mirex type buckle which consists of a folded “hinge” through which a cotter pin “bobbin,” which can be turned, is inserted, causing the band to wrap around and tighten the grip. Something about seeing a Mirex clamp on a Citroen hose resettles the world – away from chaos and towards order. Just an idea.

So, a modern reproduction LHM hose secured at both ends with a Mirex buckle ligarex bands are part of the process. The Mirex wrapping recipe is in the photos.