Coolant and Gear oil

[Steve Walsh]

Hi All

I have a 2013 C5 X7. 2.O HDI 140... vin VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff].
Handbook says Gear oil and Coolant does not need changing. The coolant looks dirty and I don't believe in leaving oil in something for life.

Question 1
I have read the ''How To'' on coolant change, Is it possible to do it without the special tools listed, I have searched internet looking for part numbers given for the tools and can't find any. And it is probably something I wouldn't use often

Question 2
If when I drain it, can I refill with any good quality, readily available coolant.

Question 3
I cant find a level plug on the gearbox, How much do I put back in, I thought of measuring the quantity I drain out, but would prefer to know it is at the correct level.

Thanks very much

Keeping Busy in Lockdown Isolation

Steve

[bobins]

There's several different coolant filler kits available from the likes of Sealey (VS0043) and Laser (5453) and others. Not particularly cheap, but you might find cheaper alternatives out there.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Steve

The manuals are lubricated for life, unless a repair is needed, hence no filler port.

In the event of a repair, the exact amount of oil drained needs to be measured and the same quantity replaced.

The engine ideally should be on a hoist (beware of guidance if raising off ground where wheels will be hanging freely on hydractive sysems).

For Draining: Remove the drain plug (1) Fitted with its seal.

Refilling:
A new seal MUST be fitted to the drain cap. You may need to remove the air filter housing for access.

Refill the gearbox via the air vent hole ( as "a") using tool [0344]. Tool 0344 is basically a Manual gearbox filling cylinder

As for refilling:

For DW Engines (which yours is)

Quantity of oil to fill after draining
Gearbox casing with fins: 1.9 Litres
Gearbox casing without fins 2.6 Litres

Quantity of oil to fill after an overhaul
Gearbox casing with fins: 2.2 Litres
Gearbox casing without fins 2.9 Litres

Oil Type: ESSO 75W80 EZL 848 or TOTAL 75W80 H6965

As for the coolant, it should be the long life type OATS and the the pH value of the coolant (tested with reactive strips) should be between 7 and 8. It should be replaced if out of tolerance.

[white exec]

DIY filler, which provides a "head" of coolant, to help bleed out trapped air.

1L bottle, short length of old hose fits into filler neck, and also seals off the overflow hole.

[GiveMeABreak]

I see that Blue Peter has not been wasted on Chris.

[Steve Walsh]

Thanks for the replies,
I will change the gearbox oil and look into the PH of the coolant then make up something to change if necessary.
I have never liked stuff lubed for life, and it can only benefit from fresh Oil and coolant.

Steve

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, it's more important on the Auto boxes of course - which are also claimed to be lubed for life and we know how much of a fib that is... Never had any issues to date or know problems with the manuals though, but probably won't hurt in the slightest to do the change Steve - but make sure you have that seal for the cap.

[white exec]

Second that.
SFAIK that gear oil is also available as Total Transmission 8 gear oil (75W-80 GL-4), for use in all PSA manual boxes. PSA service centres/dealers will use it and can supply it.

[bobins]

To check for the right Total oil, run your reg number through their lubricant advisor:

https://total-gbr.lubricantadvisor.com/eng

[Estately]

We have a C5 X7 the same age as yours and prior to getting an extended warranty it was given an inspection.

I was told that the coolant looked dirty which given 40k miles was surprising but the colour was tending towards brown, so a change of coolant it was. I do wish I had known about the ph test and how to do it. On balance it probably did not need changing.

I bought and used Total Coolelf but missed the fact that it was sold ready to use, a nice shade of orange nevertheless. Our local Citroen agency were surprised that the coolant was not blue and were unable to supply anything of the same colour concentrated to strengthen the effect of flushing out the brown stuff.

If you do go ahead and change the coolant, there is bleed point above the thermostat housing and you can run a length of clear plastic tube from it over to the filler cap. Obviously you can check for air and colour as you refill and also once you run the engine the coolant can be circulated into the header until the bubbles cease.

The gearbox oil seems to be a matter of sorcery, check if it is GL4. I think that they all use 75/80W.

Unless there are signs of leakage or you know of any disturbance measure how much drains off into your chosen receptacle then decant into a 2 litre pop bottle to determine how much you will need to replace. The electrical reverse plug may be a better refill point.

Hope that helps
Andy

[Steve Walsh]

All info gladly received, When I can get out and buy some I will be changing both


Steve

[Steve Walsh]

Afternoon all

Just in the process of changing my gearbox oil, ML6C.
Confused on the ''does it have cooling fins'' for the correct amount to put in, Mine only has fins on the bottom as per the pic,
My plan was to measure what came out and make a educated guess from there, But ended up with some of it on my workshop floor, due to the drain location.
Any advice greatly received

Oil that came out was very dirty, and metal sludge on the magnet, I don't know how Citroen can say filled for life.....

Steve

[Paul-R]

Out of interest, how many miles has your car done Steve?

[Steve Walsh]

189000 km about 117500 miles
Not too bad of a job to change gearbox oil, and in my opinion well worth the effort, Took me longer to make the right tool for the drain plug than it did to get the oil out.

[Paul-R]

Did you discover whether the small finnage was with fins or without fins?