Xantia Gearbox or clutch problems

andydykes · Unread post by **andydykes** » 03 Jul 2007, 21:05

Have a 1998 Xantia 1.9td SX Runs fine apart from the following. When changing gear from 2nd to 3rd it crunches when cold or hot. Doesn't happen if I change slowly. Also crunches changing down into 3rd gear fast or slowly. No noise changing to any other gear. No strange noises or any slipping. Is it the clutch or gearbox? If I leave what could be the long term effects appart from passengers thinking I can't do 3rd gear

Gearbox oil is ok mileage is 110K. Not sure if clutch has been replaced by previous owner.

Thanks

Andy

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 03 Jul 2007, 21:45

Hi Andy,

Gearbox most likely if the clutch is OK. One point that must be followed is to use the right oil. Use only the recommended Total BV oil or another oil specifically formulated for use in Peugeot/Citroen gearboxes. Comma make one. It is a 75W/80 oil. Change it if you have any doubt. The problem may well clear up. If it remains then you most likely have a worn synchro cone.

EP90 or EP80 is commonly used but this causes a ridiculously stiff change when the 'box is cold and can damage the synchro cones through excess force being used to engage gears.

Worn synchromesh cones (especially 3rd) are common on the BE3 'box. The cone itself is made of a soft alloy and is easily damaged. This is why it is vital to use only the right oil. They are as fussy as an auto-box in this respect.

If your problem was affecting 3rd and 4th gear equally, the problem would be the other common BE3 problem of a broken baulk ring spring.

The good news is that the BE3 'box is simple and by gearbox standards, not hard to strip to replace the worn cone. The bad news is that new cones are extraordinarily expensive at £120 each

So, best advice is to get a replacement gearbox from a scrapyard.

Here is a picture of the guilty party..

I'm soon to rebuild my 205 'box and the picture is from a scrap gearbox I'm practicing on.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 03 Jul 2007, 21:51

Jim has said it all really, the only thing I can add is that the wear usually progresses slowly, so if you drive in such a way as not to make it 'crunch', it should remain usable for some time. My XM has crunched in second, especially in cold weather, since I bought it about three years and 50k miles ago, and it doesn't seem to have got any worse.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 03 Jul 2007, 22:39

I agree - it sounds like worn synchro on 3rd.

Its worth changing the oil so that you know that the correct stuff is in there.

An old favorite of mine - is the clutch breaking in the right place? If its breaking on or very near to the floor its worth adjusting - which may well cure the problem.

Another longshot is to check the gearchange linkage and to lubricate it thoroughly - as some stiffness may mean that unwittingly you jerk the linkage when changing gear and a smoother action would allow the synchro to work. The change will probably feel much smoother after lubrication anyway.

If the gearbox is going to fail it'll probably get noisy and possibly rough. Worn synchro won't affect its bearings - and will probably go on for ever - and after a short while helping it by double declutching or omitting 3rd will become second nature.