CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 18 Nov 2009, 12:01

lexi wrote:Can the filter box be changed by dropping sump with all in situ?

Sadly, no it can't

To get at the filter the 'box has to be split. Shocking piece of design.

What appears to be the sump sits vertically on the 4HP20 and just covers the valve block.

I'm sure that if the filter could be changed easily it would help increase the lifespan.

If you ever have to lift a V6 engine for any reason, it's worth crackingt he gearbox open just to have a look, swap the filter and give it all a good clean-up.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 18 Nov 2009, 22:33

I saw this today Jim when changing coolant and thought "Jim`s gonna tell me no way"

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 20 Nov 2009, 23:31

Good work this evening, the gearbox is completely reassembled and ready to rejoin its engine.

I found out the hard (or messy) way this evening just how much oil is retained in what appears to be a drained torque converter

Weather does not look promising for tomorrow for lifting t he engine back in

Mike, I've sent you a PM...

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 21 Nov 2009, 17:10

Hats off for doing all this outside. No carport Jim ?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 21 Nov 2009, 17:29

lexi wrote: No carport Jim ?

No! I've been cogitating about one for years but the location of my garage and the shared drive (my garage is a semi with my neighbour's) would mean I could only really install a cantilever one and they're expensive...

Still, the weather gods were kind to us today and I'm delighted to report the engine is back in and rain (and light) has just stopped play with only minor stuff left to do. All the horrible jobs like the exhaust to cat connection and the starter/alternator loom are done and it's really just driveshafts, LHM reservoir and header tank to go now

One thing we have learned is the exhaust is easier to do before the LHM reservoir, header tank goes back in and heater matrix pipes are reconnected. My special bent 10mm spanner also helps...

Tomorrow, with a bit of shower-dodging, should see it running again.

My garage looks strangely empty again. I wonder for how long

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 22 Nov 2009, 19:40

Those in charge of the weather were kind to us again today although their patience was wearing thin toward the end...

The morning dawned, dry, clear and bright and I was out at 8AM busy installing driveshafts although being as quiet as I could for the neighbours. Mike arrived at 9 and by 11 she was running

the rain came just as we were refitting mudshields and wheels. Great timing really!

All is good, the engine runs sweetly and the 'box is now sweet. Gearchages are like oiled silk. They're positive but smooth. And no descending into third emergency at over 3,000 rpm

This has been well tested and the car has covered over 100 miles today and at one point approached 100mph

Mikes gearbox is a lot smoother than mine but the answer may be in the "mix'n'match" nature of my 'box. As said earlier my spares 'box was not originally from a V6 and I used the torque converter from it on mine.

Mike showed me how to conduct a converter stall test this morning. Handbrake hard on, stand on footbrake and pop the transmission in D. Then floor the accelerator and observe the reading on the tacho. This gives the converter stall speed. Mike's stalls at 2,200 rpm and mine at just under 2000 rpm so mine is wrong for the V6

I'm not intending to change it just yet and will live with the slightly less than perfect slow-speed changes for a while!!!

I rounded the day off with a spin in the Activa...

I think I shall have a rest now for a while...

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 22 Nov 2009, 20:18

CitroJim wrote: All is good, the engine runs sweetly and the 'box is now sweet. Gearchages are like oiled silk.

I have to give my thanks to Jim for seeing this through to a happy conclusion. It has been a bit of a trial, but the car is now running brilliantly again. (not that I minded driving the E-type though

)
Also a belated thanks for Toby for helping Jim with the engine removal while I was away.

CitroJim wrote:and the car has covered over 100 miles today and at one point approached 100mph

I am sure that was parallax when viewing the speedometer from the passenger seat.

It is why I always engage the cruise control when on a clear motorway to stop the speed running away.

CitroJim wrote: I think I shall have a rest now for a while...

Now that I would like to see

Unread post by **myglaren** » 22 Nov 2009, 20:21

By "have a rest" Jim means strip a Routemaster down and rebuild it

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 22 Nov 2009, 20:21

Excellent news

Glad to see all has gone well. Well done to you both.

Mike you are welcome, as said before, was a pleasure.

What is the purpose of this stall test? I've never heard of that before?

Jim? A rest? That doesn't sound right

seriously though, you deserve it.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 22 Nov 2009, 20:57

Toby_HDi wrote: What is the purpose of this stall test? I've never heard of that before?

When a torque converter is working normally (at low speed), the input is turning faster than the output, but by the magic of the internal hydraulic design, the ouput has more torque than the input, and the torque multiplication is nearly proportional to the difference between input and output speeds.

If you stall the convertor (in gear with the brakes on hard), with the engine at wide open throttle, the engine is turning the input of the torque convertor, but the output is not going anywhere, so you know that the speed difference is the same as the engine RPM, and this is also (usually the condition where the TC is producing maximum torque.

The usefulness is:
1. If the sprag clutch in the TC is slipping, you will know (and probably hear) all about it, or if the TC stator is seized, the stall RPM will be much too low.

2. If the wrong model TC is fitted, the stall speed will be wrong (as Jim just discovered).

3. If the TC is known to be correct, but the stall speed is a bit low, it can be a symptom of a sick engine.

BTW, when conducting this test, the entire engine power is being dissipated as heat in the hydraulic fluid, so don't do often or for long. I have seen an idiot do this until there was smoke coming out of the transmission on his V8 American lump.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 23 Nov 2009, 12:14

Yeah give yourself a rest Jim to recharge the batteries.

You`ve scratched more itches than The Singing Detective recently

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Nov 2009, 14:19

lexi wrote:Yeah give yourself a rest Jim to recharge the batteries.

Trouble is, I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms

I NEED another project and quick. I'm bored already looking at a clean, tidy but empty garage

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 23 Nov 2009, 15:22

What no bedrooms needing painted?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Nov 2009, 15:27

lexi wrote:What no bedrooms needing painted?

I don't do DIY Lexi

Anyone who has visited my house will know what I mean

It's clean and tidy, a bit dog-eared but it's home, like a pair of old, comfy slippers. Decorating would spoil it...

Besides, I have an allergy to paint and wallpaper paste....

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 23 Nov 2009, 18:14

Nice Car port project Jim.

50MM squ. tube standards just inside your half of the drive. Purlins going across to gable wall with plates welded on and then chemical rod fixings. Some metal tube dwangs for sheet support.Clear fibreglass sheets. Strong and ten times better than polycarbonate cantilever trash.

Just trying to keep you dry and out of mischief Jim