LHM at Citroen dealers

[xmexclusive]

Are we really that worried or surprised at Citroens spares and consumables stocking policy.
In the 20 odd years that have passed since the XM was introduced there has been major changes.
Typically servicing intervals have extended by a factor of 3.
In service failures of new cars have halved.
So the dealer needs to sell roughly 3 times as many cars to maintain the same work load.
I believe franchise terms have tightened as well.
Parts stockholding (lots of money tied up) has changed to prompt delivery from a central store (France).
The term "main dealer" is not a normal Citroen description.
Franchised dealers are required to trade as: xxxxxxx Citroen.
Directly owned dealers trade as: Citroen xxxxxxx.

John

[Dieselman]

Afaik, All brands of LHM are in fact Total brand bottled into different brand bottles by the supplier. The level of tint is irrelevant.

I was told this by the Technical Dept of Millers oils, who buy their LHM from Total.

[CitroJim]

Umm, so if Total go under or stop making it then we'll be well and truly totalled

I suppose there's little danger of that just yet as other things besides our beloved use it...

Although, having said that, I suppose they could. Didn't the manufacturer of C-Matic transmission fluid stop making it years ago and nobody ever stepped in to fill the void?

Could that happen with LHM?

[russ92xmsed]

I don't think so Jim. Too many people and too many Citroens depend on it. If Total were to stop, I could see them selling or allowing someone else to make it under license. I know there are other brands, but I'm sure someone else said it's all made by Total.
(Sorry Will, should read a little closer!!)
If only we could crack the manufacturing process and ingredients, we could make our own!!!

[Dieselman]

LHM is just a derivative of hydraulic oil with anti-foaming agents and additional lubrication additive in the case of LHM+.

[xmexclusive]

It might be interesting to check on what oil Cat specify for their machines.
Some of my nitrogen bottle kit was secondhand from a Cat hydraulics maintainer.
The other option is aircraft hydraulic oil, seen a few posts about using that in an XM.

John

[White Exec]

Very odd. Almost every filling station out here has the stuff on the shelf, and the popularity of fluid Citroens here is about the same as the UK. All Citroen dealers and garages have it, and most of the large supermarkets (Eroski, Carrefour, AlCampo/Auchan) keep it too.

The comments on alternatives are interesting. And, apart from CAT, isn't there also RollsRoyce and ?? Alvis (tank transporters) and even an actual tank*???

*I bet there's an Owners Club.

[mds141]

JCB use LHM, so no chance of production ending. Total service stations in France have plenty on the shelves, so I always stock up whilst over there. Incidentally John Wilding Citroen in Morecambe always carry it in stock. Usually pay £6 per bottle.

[mds141]

They won't stock anything that is very slow moving. Obviously, not enough LHM cars pass through their doors to make it necessary.

I tend to agree with you on this one Will !

As I spotted some on E-BAY last week, to which I kindly informed a forum member (Who lives on the doorstep to avoid the postage costs) and who bagged all 4 litres @ bargain price

But note the wording of the 'Main-dealer' who was selling it off :-

GENUINE CITROEN LHM SUSPENSION FLUID

STOCK CLEARANCE ITEM ONLY 4 LEFT, NO MORE AFTER THESE HAVE GONE

I rest my case

So I'd always look/go for the nearest 'GSF or Euro-Car-parts' in desperation to give your beast a drink of 'The Green-blood'



XMX

.

Thanks for that Richard. It got four, one litre bottles for £2 each. They were in fact, a Seat dealer who were having a clear out, confirmed by the layer of dust on the bottles!! TBH Citroen specialists and independents will be the best source for LHM in the future.

[casalingua]

Isn't taking it a bit too far with this efficiency lark to dispense with a few litres of a consumable like LHM? I think the refusal to stock it isn't driven by economics - the saving is so minuscule (5 litres of shelfspace and 50 quid of sunk capital) - it's a choice made to discourage the drivers of older Citroens from keeping them.
Luckily in Denmark Xantias are a daily sight so there is plenty of demand for LHM so you can buy it in nearly all petrol stations.