XM rear sphere replacement - Need to know how!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 10 Jul 2010, 23:02

Ah, but a 2.0 16 from 97 should not have an auto-adaptive gearbox? In fact i know it wont as we had a 99 2.0 16v auto with the conventional auto box.

I asume you have checked it has a compressor and the pipework to go with it. It must do if the cabin air gets colder

Yes, the Xms are quite poorly specced in some ways. AC was even an option on VSX spec levels, only exclusive comes brimming with kit. The SX Xm is a bit like a LX Xantia in a way, apart from the hydractive2 suspension obviously.

Though you have the best of both worlds, as the only thing i look for in a car is air con, if it has anything else its a bonus, sometimes.

So, the best of both worlds because, as yours is SX (and im not sure how or if this works with the aftermarket AC, but ..) it has a temp dial for passenger and driver, so with the air con on can you still make the sides differ in temperature? If so no Xms were available with that, as ones with AC had one temp setting. You would need a C5 to get a similar ventillation system!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 23:04

The autoboxes always used to implode regularly at around 120k around
4 years or so back and appear in the yards and ebay but sightings are
rare now so likely the cars left running have had the correct maintenance.

Instead of selling it, maybe the silver Activa needs a respray into black
to match it's stablemates? Black suits Activae!!

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 10 Jul 2010, 23:14

I used to totally agree about going for black cars and have GSA, Cx, Xm and the
Activa etc though the reality is a disappointment = the colour is a real PITA if
you don't fastidiously wash'n wax the damned thing every 2 days. The colour
is a nightmare to find alternative matching colour replacement body parts for
and pretty much guarantees you'll need a respray to get scratches/damage
sorted.

BTW, I've got x2 Black Pallas SE's!! Fab cars the G SE's - the golden velour
seats are totally gorgeous and among the most comfortable seats ever after
Cx ones. And they have tinted glass and sunroofs too - on a GS!! Yay...

Andrew

wainy · Unread post by **wainy** » 12 Jul 2010, 23:56

Just as a matter of interest........ what should I be looking out for if the autobox was on its way out? Its got me worried all this talk of 'boxes exploding!

It changes smoothly, kicks down promptly and is quiet. Hopefully OK then?!

PS..... The aircon works through the split system, so yes I can vary the temp from side to side. Ace!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 13 Jul 2010, 01:44

Without getting dramatic, forward progress just stops, just like that,
one day and with no warning although there may very well be signs
of slipping with raised revs and asthmatic progress up hills. I make no
attempt to completely understand these boxes and can only go by
explanations given to me by autobox specialists and by reading up
references as much as I can find and follow!

Had the same failure every time though:

The fine autofluid fed 'clutch bands' inside the varied gear lockups of the
box fail to transfer the engine's power/torque through the box to the
wheels. Usually this happens on the primary transfer in "D" forward drive
so making subsequent higher gears redundant yet leaving reverse in
full working order as this uses a different drive band in the gearbox.

It's just like a slipping manual gearbox clutch - this has been the primary
failure mode I have seen on Xm boxes although another one has lost lock
up into top gear so the revs remained high at higher speeds and it was far
too frenetic to continue using. A DIY manual Xm clutch can be sorted for
approx £150 whereas an autobox repair will need specialist (or very brave
DIY) attention with a bill in excess of £1500+ even more with incidentals!
Yes, I understand the wear items can be gotten from ZF for approx £350
but as I understand it, the inventor of the automatic gearbox went mad...

There are other things to consider as well as the wear of the the fine clutch
packs as the oil if allowed to run unchanged for 1000's of miles will silt with
the fine broken down elements of the aforementioned clutch bands and this
silting can have detrimental effects on the flow and pressure of the autofluid.

I'm sure someone will be along now saying they've had 100,000's of miles
on their autobox with no trouble so the vigilant regular changing of fluid may
very well be the best guard against failure and scrapping of an otherwise fully
working car.

Maybe I'm just too jaded about autoboxes having been unlucky with the
purchases I've made which have failed not long into my ownership (must
be the way I drive!) and seen with other pals cars who love and pamper
Citroens too. One v6 Xm I have gave up a week into having it before I'd
even had an opportunity to change/check the fluid properly; I guess some
signs of slipping must've manifest themselves with the previous owner
who got spooked and got rid asap and I turned up and volunteered to
pay good money for what I was told and believed to be a fully working
100% car...

Anyhow, I'd far rather have a manual gearbox car! I can fix these myself!

Andrew

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 13 Jul 2010, 09:03

What does a warranted rebuild actually cost in the UK for an AL4?

I expect my transmission to fail sometime after 30K kilometres or ten months time. It's a rebuilt, and I have negligible confidence in the locally designated official agents (only ones in Australia).

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 13 Jul 2010, 09:28

Its a bit like buying a time bomb and not knowing when its going to go off!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Jul 2010, 09:50

Often a sign of an autobox can be slurring between the gears. When the box goes to change gear the revs rise more than they should before th gear is acheived.

Regular gearbox oil changes with the correct oil should keep the gearbox healthy. Though not immune from failure.

wainy · Unread post by **wainy** » 13 Jul 2010, 12:01

Thanks for the replies...... happy to report that it has none of these symptoms........ YET!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Jul 2010, 12:26

addo wrote:What does a warranted rebuild actually cost in the UK for an AL4?

Oh, not much Adam. Cheap as chips really.

£1800 last time I looked and bizarrely more expensive than a 4HP20...

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 13 Jul 2010, 12:30

Places here are wanting somewhat more! About double, actually.

I don't see postage as being an 1800 quid item... I'd rather trust you to rebuild one than the local mob (they don't even have their own proper diagnostic gear for PSA cars).