307 Mk 1: mild (very mild) whine in 5th gear

[alan9990]

Hi all,

Been reading around what I could find, none the wiser at present whether there's anything to be concerned about...

Very recently acquired a high mileage but VERY well cared for 2003 307 1.6 16v, petrol.

Clean and tidy, fully serviced etc. I've been sorting a few minor issues. The car starts and runs brilliantly - the MOT last week made zero mention of emissions - indeed there are none. At idle it's nearly impossible to hear engine noise at all. At driving speeds it's nearly all just tyre/road noise.

Only when I'm in 5th gear, and only when on the throttle, or under load i.e. going up an incline, there's just the tiniest of whining noises from the right hand side. If I lift off the throttle it disappears. If I press the clutch pedal while moving the noise disappears.

It may be nothing, this is about prevention and getting ahead of any potential issue before one should occur. Since this is the only more "modern" Peugeot I've owned I have no reference. What say wise minds here?

[CitroJim]

Welcome to the forum Alan

The very first thing I'd do is change the gearbox oil - make sure you use the right stuff as PSA gearboxes are fussy in this respect... I would expect it needs around two litres of 75w/80. Maybe someone can confirm... If so, I recommend Total BV as this is the OE lubricant.

The level may be low and it's possible the fifth gear pinions have been very slightly starved of lubricant as if your 'box is like the earlier ones, the 5th gear pinions are right out on the end, just beyond the main casing and likely to be the first to suffer if the oil level is low..

I had this same issue on my AX and although an oil change has not 100% cured it, kit is reducing with each run...

I've known similar gearboxes run so low on oil as to be practically dry. They are tough old beasts and will survive for a long time like this and not really obviously complain...

So get that oil changed as a first move Fingers crossed it sorts it...

[MattBLancs]

gearbox oil - make sure you use the right stuff as PSA gearboxes are fussy in this respect... I would expect it needs around two litres of 75w/80. Maybe someone can confirm... If so, I recommend Total BV as this is the OE lubricant.

From 307 Haynes manual (4147)

1.6 is MA5 gearbox, capacity 2.0 litres

"SAE 75W-80W (which is a typo, think should read 75W80, no second W!!) To API GL5 specification: ESSO gear oil BV or Total Transmission BV"

[MattBLancs]

P.s. come and join the gearbox oil discussion here, especially if you do a change and can report back if made a difference

viewtopic.php?t=73661

I think it's mentioned on there, I'm currently using some fully synthetic GL5 75W80 spec stuff, bought off eBay. Westway lubricants I think. Not tried it in a MA gearbox yet (BE4 and ML6 both happy with it)

[Paul-R]

I may be be completely misremembering this but isn't the GL5 spec disallowed and you should use GL4?

[MattBLancs]

I may be be completely misremembering this but isn't the GL5 spec disallowed and you should use GL4?

Oh! Don't know!

Just double checked, Haynes 307 manual:

Haynes 4147 307 2001-2008

Whilst I am having a look,

306 manual says:

306, no mention of GL spec!

406 Haynes says:

406 1999-2002 Haynes, GL5 mentioned again

But googling Total Transmission BV, gives Total Traxium and that seems to be GL4

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403460989313 ... media=COPY

Confusing!

[Hell Razor5543]

You DO remember the nickname for Haynes, don't you?

[MattBLancs]

And to round it off, but sadly not to bring it to a conclusion,

Haynes Citroen C4 manual (5576) 2004-2010

Completely different! (But 75W80W makes an appearance once again!

Oh I know the Book Of Lies isn't a great reference, but they are cheap (2nd hand) and help dry oily fingers a treat