Auto Adaptive Transmission manteinance?

ekaftan · Unread post by **ekaftan** » 26 Feb 2007, 22:19

Hi,

Whats the recommended manteinance for the AAL4 transmission (as in MK2 Xantia, automatic)?

Is it sealed? Can I check the oil level? CHange it?

Thanks.

acrowot · Unread post by **acrowot** » 27 Feb 2007, 00:21

It is sealed and fluid changes are not required. You can if you wish check the level, from memory which may not be 100% you have to run the engine up to temp and with it still running ( I think ) you need to remove the level check screw from the bottom of the box and fluid should just drip out. On the bottom of the box there is a drain plug and in the center of this is the level check plug only remove the center plug or you will get covered in transmission fluid. You can if you wish drain the fluid and replace it but you will only be able to drain about half of it in situ. There is a plug on the top of the box to put fluid in. If you have no problems with the box leave it alone it is not really meant to be changed for the life of the box.

ekaftan · Unread post by **ekaftan** » 27 Feb 2007, 01:52

acrowot wrote:It is sealed and fluid changes are not required. You can if you wish check the level, from memory which may not be 100% you have to run the engine up to temp and with it still running ( I think ) you need to remove the level check screw from the bottom of the box and fluid should just drip out. On the bottom of the box there is a drain plug and in the center of this is the level check plug only remove the center plug or you will get covered in transmission fluid. You can if you wish drain the fluid and replace it but you will only be able to drain about half of it in situ. There is a plug on the top of the box to put fluid in. If you have no problems with the box leave it alone it is not really meant to be changed for the life of the box.

Thanks.

Side question: all V6s come with ZFs? of AAl4s?

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 27 Feb 2007, 06:25

All V6 Xantias and XM with the es9j4 engine (and I think V6 C5s) have the ZF 4HP20.

FrenchLeave · Unread post by **FrenchLeave** » 27 Feb 2007, 18:29

The problem you'll have if you do decide to change or top up the transmission oil, is finding out which oil to use. Because Citroen say "sealed for life" they don't issue information on the subject. Searching the Total (Citroen's recommended lube) site produces zilch. Searching the ZF site produces conflicting info..

AlanS produced a very interesting post on the subject in which he told some horror stories, try a search of the forum. Like me, you'll probably decide to leave well alone.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 27 Feb 2007, 19:54

FrenchLeave wrote:The problem you'll have if you do decide to change or top up the transmission oil, is finding out which oil to use. Because Citroen say "sealed for life" they don't issue information on the subject. Searching the Total (Citroen's recommended lube) site produces zilch. Searching the ZF site produces conflicting info..

Try Esso ATF - Citroen part number 9736.22, £15.98 for 2 Litres

goldfinche · Unread post by **goldfinche** » 27 Feb 2007, 20:18

Hi sorry to upset matters maybe, on the 4 HP20 box I believe there was a dip stick, there was on my late 97, it was only for about 1 year. Dont for goodness sake use ATF it will destroy the box.
There apear to be only 2 oils available 1 ESSO and 1 Castrol. I will look them up and post them later. They were about £16-00 per litre.
It's up to you but if you want to send me your address I have a cd with all the info on the 4 HP 20. Cheers,
Geoff.

goldfinche · Unread post by **goldfinche** » 27 Feb 2007, 21:09

Hello have found the 2 types.
1 ESSO LT 71141.

2 Castrol TRANSMAX Z.

I couldnt get the ESSO around here (Bristol) but the Castrol was from The Motorwell Car accessary shop ( Winterbourne.)

Citroen main dealer didnt know and when pushed said try Dexron!!!!!!!!!

I will repeat Dont use a ordinary ATF your box will not last long if you do.
Cheers.
Geoff.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 27 Feb 2007, 21:41

So do these 'boxes not loose their fluid if the driveshafts are pulled out of the diff as say, a manual BE3 does?

goldfinche · Unread post by **goldfinche** » 27 Feb 2007, 21:58

Hello umm just the same as the BE3 etc. it does lose some of the oil, measure what escapes and replace , if you have a dip stick then OK if not there should be a level plug.
Always replace the diff seals, they will leak if you dont.
If you want you are welcome to a cd there is a frightening amount of bits ,pieces and things inside.
Cheers.
Geoff.
Much too much to post on here.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 27 Feb 2007, 22:54

Just to clarify, Citroen part number 9736.22, £15.98 for 2 Litres, is the dealer supplied fluid for the transmission. Details taken from CitroenPR.Net

BW · Unread post by BW » 27 Feb 2007, 23:17

There was recently some discussion of the on the CCC forum, where someone had contacted the gearbox manufacturers to be told that the oil should be changed (50000 miles I recall).
Citroen said they are sealed for life. I think a plate at the bottom of the box is the only way in.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 28 Feb 2007, 03:24

This is a bit frustrating to read about

Its always been the (lack of) timely fluid service killing autoboxes !

Our board admin AlanS put his experiences down into (a bit long winded

) posting here not long ago.
Reading on all available documentation found on the web - including other car fora - always mentions this very simple reason for premature death of autoboxes.

It cant be the reason that this box is powered by the V6. The americans have had autos for decades driven by massive petrol swamping multicylindric cast iron lumps - no problems.

Unfortunately its not exactly easy to service the later type HP20 from ZF, but a Citroen document on exactly this box type is available for downloading.
I'll submit the old posting link here, whenever I find it, if not our pathfinder Clogzz dont get me first 8)

Here is the link for the manual (submitted by Jeremy) :
http://citroeny.cz/servis/data/xantia/X ... emecky.zip

goldfinche · Unread post by **goldfinche** » 28 Feb 2007, 08:19

DickieG thank you for the number of the fluid , here we have a completely useless main dealer ( used to be a F**d main dealer but lost that.) it went along the lines of " sealed for life aint they --------- grumble-
----grumble we got Dexron they all use that."
Went to a good independent who tried to order it from " the main dealer" and he met a complete stone wall ditto as above. A gallon of Dexron turned up.
Wanted an auto box, it will be a week --------- months later still waiting, it was quicker to send the casing to ZF in Germany have it rebuilt and get it back.
Still looking on the bright side a few years the C6 will have depreciated to XM values!!!
Cheers.
Geoff.

French Car Forum

Auto Adaptive Transmission manteinance?

Auto Adaptive Transmission manteinance?

ATF.

ATF

Oil loss.

ATF