Citroen Gearbox problems

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melc
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Citroen Gearbox problems

Post by melc »

I have a Citroen Saxo East coast and yesterday I accidently changed into first go whilst going a little faster than usual for first.There was a crunching sound Now when I change gear the gears it feels quite strange<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>, it doesn't as feel as smooth as it did prior to the erroneous gear change . I wonder if anyone could tell me what it could be and whether I should refrain from driving it whilst it is like this as I am wondering if perhaps I am making things worse by driving it around <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
I would be grateful for any advise anyone can give me
Thanks
mel <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
alan s
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Post by alan s »

Mel,
It is doubtful in my book that this in itself would have caused problems although not impossible.
In years gone by, I have managed this achievement both in cars & on motorbikes; in the case of cars (and also bikes) being rear wheel drive, it can lead to some fancy acrobats particularly if the rear wheels lock up, which is the likely scenario.
I think the safest way and possibly one way to assess if any damage has happened, is to drain the transmission & see if any metal fragments come out. I can't give an accurate measurement of the oil the transmission should have in it, but check that as well. Normally, about 1.8 to 2 litres is about the norm. It is often the case that anything from 300 ml up is in there instead, which if is the case, should show a great improvement when the correct amount is put back in. A transmission additive may be another good investment (redline, or any reputable brand - gearbox only NOT engine.)
If any large metal bits come floating out with the oil, then a gearbox job is waiting somewhere down the track. I think you'd have to be very unlucky as PSA boxes I have found are pretty substantial. The only way you could have damaged it is if you really dropped the clutch hard when you hit first & even then it doesn't mean that you've caused terminal damage.
Alan S
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Post by FFX-DM »

<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> I've emptied gearbox oil in the past that came out looking like 1970's disco eyeshadow (ie. silver and sparkly).
alan s
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Post by alan s »

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle> I've emptied gearbox oil in the past that came out looking like 1970's disco eyeshadow (ie. silver and sparkly).

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
She'd make pretty rugged eyeshadow<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> but the stuff I'm talking about are pieces match head size or bigger.
Alan S
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Post by debutant »

Alan,
How do you check the gearbox oil level and where do you put the additive in?
Sorry, not that mechanical but love my Xantia (1.8i 16v, 75000 miles)
Cheers,
John
Dumped my XR3I for a Xantia :-)
alan s
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Post by alan s »

Depending on model, but in most cases the norm is to remove LHS front wheel (passenger side on RHD) and look at the end of the gearbox. To the right on the end of the box you should see a 19mm shallow headed bolt which is just below half way up the side & fitted to a section slightly moulded out to take this plug.
Remove the plug to refill the gearbox.
I say this as it is a bit risky to just put the additive in on top of existing oil as some boxes can be a bit critical as to how much oil they have in them & overfilling can cause problems. This is often done at garages using a power fill hose, where they fill until oil gushes out & then whack the plug in before it falls back to its correct level.
The drain plug is underneath & should take an 8mm square key to remove. The additive is best added to the new oil in a 1 litre bottle with a piece of about 8 mm plastic tube fitted to the end & put in via the 19mm level plug. Total volume of oil as I say in the average gearbox these days seems to be 1.8 to 2 litres so 2 litres of gearbox oil plus additive is usually heaps.
Alan S
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Post by JohnD »

Hi John - May I add just one point to Alan's excellent description. Do make sure the engine/gearbox is level (across the axle) before replacing the level plug. Jacking up the nearside wheel too high would give an inaccurate level.
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