Hello
Has anyone heard of any problems with C3 1.4 HDI 70 gearboxes (the BVM MA5/O according to citoren spec) ?
The reason I ask is that I am currently car less due to a problem with a garage. Let me explain -
A few weeks ago the car started juddering as I pulled away quickly and under heavy acceleration in second. With 90K on the clock and barely any bite on the pedal I booked it in with an independent Citroen specialist to have the clutch changed. They did the job and said the plates were knackered. Picked the car up, drive 5 miles down the road and the coolant warning light came on. Pulled over, rang the garage and they said to come back. On my way back I noticed the judder that it had before the clutch was still there but not as bad. The garage topped up the low coolant and mechanic took the car for a test drive and told me it must be the tyres as they are getting close to the limit.
Set off again, got 30 miles down the road, pulled off the motorway and as I pulled away the clutch started to slip. Onto a dual carriageway in traffic and the clutch started slipping in 2nd, then constantly and then I lost all drive. Managed to get the car semi off the road and call a mate to come and tow me the couple of miles home.
Checked the car over myself and the hydraulics etc were all working ok and you could see the release arm moving. Rang the garage on monday morning and they said they would look at it, but I would have to get it to them and they couldn't help in doing that!
Eventually had to get the same mate to tow me over there (RAC would only take it 10 miles from home). Dropped the car off and after the looked over it they have now told me that the cannot find externally anything wrong so it won't be the clutch but instead is more likely to be a gearbox problem, probably a broken shaft? They did however say they managed to get the car to move a little bit in reverse but then wouldn't go any more. Because it is 'not' due to their clutch work they won't look at the car for almost two weeks. Leaving me relying on my motorbike which ain't the best in the sub-zero temps at the moment.
Has anyone experienced similar problems? The way it failed, i.e. slipping 'clutch' before drive was lost makes me think it is a loss of 'spring' at the pressure plate. Maybe the bolts have backed out of the flywheel? If a shaft was to go, then it would go with a bang surely and all drive would be lost suddenly? Has anyone heard of the manual gearbox failing before?
Citroen C3 Manual Gear Box Failure - ever heard of one?
Moderator: RichardW
What a shoddy way to be treated.. as you are in the RAC why not ask for an RAC inspection this should establish the cause of the problem and even the threat that you are going to get an independant report from the RAC may kick start the garage into treating their customer properly.
Ian
Account Ref: 6419
Current Cars
Nissan X-Trail SVE
Saab 2.2TiD
Merc E270 Estate
Past Citroens
2001 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1999 Xantia 1.9TD
1997 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1995 XM 3.0 Exclusive Estate
Account Ref: 6419
Current Cars
Nissan X-Trail SVE
Saab 2.2TiD
Merc E270 Estate
Past Citroens
2001 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1999 Xantia 1.9TD
1997 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1995 XM 3.0 Exclusive Estate
I would say it's 'doubtful' but not unlikely to the gearbox.
Logically, it sounds like they have botched up the clutch change job somehow, I know it's a simple device, but you wouldn't believe how much a simple job can go wrong with amateurs on the case.
I would also advice an independent inspection, and if it turns out not to be the gearbox as i suspect then it will be a botched job on the clutch. Or maybe a driveshaft problem?
Does it slip in/out of gear with the clutch down? And how was the coolant a problem... surely they don't take coolant out to do a clutch job, gearbox oil maybe, unless they take engine/box out as an unit.
I would say they have given a wrong diagnosis by changing the clutch as it was slipping, but it does sound like they have ballsed something up there.
Good luck, and let us know what happens! I feel for you, you don't need hassle like this at this time of year!
Logically, it sounds like they have botched up the clutch change job somehow, I know it's a simple device, but you wouldn't believe how much a simple job can go wrong with amateurs on the case.
I would also advice an independent inspection, and if it turns out not to be the gearbox as i suspect then it will be a botched job on the clutch. Or maybe a driveshaft problem?
Does it slip in/out of gear with the clutch down? And how was the coolant a problem... surely they don't take coolant out to do a clutch job, gearbox oil maybe, unless they take engine/box out as an unit.
I would say they have given a wrong diagnosis by changing the clutch as it was slipping, but it does sound like they have ballsed something up there.
Good luck, and let us know what happens! I feel for you, you don't need hassle like this at this time of year!
The ironic thing is I was going to do the job myself but decided to save the hassle and take it to a 'reputable' independent!
At present I'm not sure an inspection woudl show much as you can see the clutch arm moving in and out, and that there is no drive to the wheels. What we really need to get to is the gearbox primary shaft.
The car would go easily in and out of gear, clutch up or down! Once they have stripped it to examine, if they claim it is the gearbox then I am going to go and inspect it personally before they do anything to it.
I'm lucky that I've got the bike or I would be really screwed! Once all this is sorted I will let everyone know about the garage. Ironically, it is ISO 9001 accredited - so much for a QMS and customer service policy!
Apparently the clutch plates were completly knackered, having worn through the rivet heads - although I never got to see the plates.
At present I'm not sure an inspection woudl show much as you can see the clutch arm moving in and out, and that there is no drive to the wheels. What we really need to get to is the gearbox primary shaft.
The car would go easily in and out of gear, clutch up or down! Once they have stripped it to examine, if they claim it is the gearbox then I am going to go and inspect it personally before they do anything to it.
I'm lucky that I've got the bike or I would be really screwed! Once all this is sorted I will let everyone know about the garage. Ironically, it is ISO 9001 accredited - so much for a QMS and customer service policy!
Apparently the clutch plates were completly knackered, having worn through the rivet heads - although I never got to see the plates.
Well - finally got the car looked at - and to my surprise (and the garages!) it is not the clutch, or the gearbox itself but the actual diff. The amazing thing is that the primary drive to the diff has come loose and detached from the diff carrier! Originally it would of been some form of press/interference fit - now it is a sliding fit! You can see the gauling on the diff carrier where the metal has been picking up and tearings as the gear has rotated - so what originally seemed to be clutch slip was the gear slipping!
So it's time for a new gearbox, can anyone reccomend any good Citroen breakers?
Cheers
So it's time for a new gearbox, can anyone reccomend any good Citroen breakers?
Cheers