It never rains....

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 18 Nov 2010, 15:38

Just had an estimate to repair the Kangoo autobox, One Thousand pounds thank you very much

needs a new valve block apparently.

Then, just to rub salt, the airbag light on the Xantia has started flashing at me

so I hope it wont be anything too expensive. Will start with checking electrical connectors and hope.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 18 Nov 2010, 15:58

I should buy yourself a couple of XM's - about the same price

Unread post by **Old-Guy** » 18 Nov 2010, 16:09

Who did you get the quote from, Citroen dealer or an autobox specialist? The former is working on the basis of taking out your box, sending it to one of the latter, putting it back in then charging you for their labour and for the box repair/exchange at Citroen prices!

Depending where you are, the following are recommended: -

• King Automatics, The Chalk Pit, College Road, Epsom, Surrey, tel: 01372 728769.
• Automatic Transmissions (Tattersall), Tattersall Bridge, near Coningsby, Lincoln, tel: apparently no longer trading.
• JP (Automatic Transmissions) Ltd, www.jpat.co.uk, Units 4a & 4b Pear Tree Ind Est, Upper Langford, N Somerset, BS40 5DJ, tel: 01934 852772.
• Sussex Automatics,www.sussexautos.co.uk
• FEDERATION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ENGINEERS,www.fedauto.co.uk

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Nov 2010, 16:26

Stempy, I'm not touting for business here (I only do HP20s anyway...) but what's the problem on the Kangoo 'box?

Is that the AL4 or the MB3? AL4s are a bit known for valve block problems and often it's just a duff electrovalve...

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 18 Nov 2010, 17:13

Just one thought really, although this is something I was told years and years ago:

If it has a problem do not take it out and give it to a specialist (if needed) , they usually want it in the car to properly test it (pressure tests etc on mechanical ones at least)

I'd agree that price (although I would of expected it to be more than that to be honest) would be what a dealer would charge (remove + refit etc) and they would send it away. I highly doubt they would do much in the way of dismantling themselves.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 18 Nov 2010, 17:29

Thanks guys. Don't know what type of box it is other than Renault.

This is the van I use for work so just need it sorted so Mr Renault has been given the go ahead. The dealer concerned told they would be doing all the work themselves. I did negotiate 10% off their original quote.

The problem was that it would bang into third and stay there until the ignition was switched off, when it would reset and be fine again for a while. But it's gradually become more frequent.

Unread post by **quintet** » 20 Nov 2010, 20:18

I can't see any 'main dealer' stripping & fixing an auto box, it's too labour intensive & complicated, i guess some may send it onto a auto-box specialist but after all the work of removing the gearbox & getting it repaired it'd be cheaper to get a recon unit although they can sometimes be hard to source & can take a while to get hold of. Citroen's are prone to 'valve block' issues so if Renault's have a similar issue it might well be repairable, i guess time will tell (via a phone call from the dealer looking pound signs before their eyes!)

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Nov 2010, 20:43

Yes, i doubt a main dealer will be stripping the box themselves, they will probably ship it out once its off the car.

When our VW had problems with its auto box they told us they would remove it and send it to a specialist. So we found out which specialist it was they would use and cut out the middle man. The specialist is actually very good.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 20 Nov 2010, 20:45

It's the same with any gearbox, auto or manual. Both are incredibly labour intensive and invariably need special tools not to mention a level of skill not normally possessed by the average garage.

Stumpy, yours sounds like it's failing into 3rd emergency mode. may not be the valve block itself but could be a speed sensor or the multi-function switch.

Has the dealer ran the equivalent of a Lexia across it to nail down the fault? It may not need a complete recon gearbox if it's just a sensor problem and therefore a cheaper repair...

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 21 Nov 2010, 00:05

Yes, they did a diagnostic which came up with a pressure regulation fault apparently most likely to be the EVM valve. Due to the mileage being 93k they said a complete valve block would be required which they would have to order, would take a couple of days to arrive and was just under £600.

They hope to have it done by Monday so I'll post an update as to the full ins and outs when I know more.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 23 Nov 2010, 17:36

Got the Kangoo back today. £996.83.

£20.56.....Diagnostic

£445.76...Hydraulic Distributor

£15.57....Oil Seal

£44.50....Gearbox Oil

£3.13......Brake Cleaner??

£318.85...Labour

Plus VAT.

All work carried out in house, and they kindly replaced the power steering fluid FOC!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 23 Nov 2010, 22:32

Stempy wrote: £996.83. and they kindly replaced the power steering fluid FOC!

Well, that was nice of them!