Crunchy Xantia!

Bren · Unread post by **Bren** » 18 Jan 2009, 19:36

My xantia has developed a bit of a crunch - when changing down through the gears, if you move the lever across the gate towards 2nd you get a slight crunch. I recently topped the box up and put in some molyslip as the box had been leaking for some time - anybody any ideas?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 18 Jan 2009, 21:21

What grade gearbox oil did you use?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 18 Jan 2009, 21:51

I'd check the clutch pedal height.
Should be approx 140mm over any carpet/mat level to make sure the clutch truly disengages when changing gears.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Jan 2009, 06:11

Agree Anders, check the clutch adjustment carefully; it does make a big difference.

I believe Molyslip is possibly the worst thing you can put in a BE3. The design of the synchro cones is very old fashioned and they rely on friction to operate. Molyslip is a fricton reducer..

You'd be better filling the 'box with ATF than Molyslip.

The synchro cones are delicate and anything that reduces the friction they can apply will shorten their lives.

Drain and fill with 75W/80 oil specially made for these gearboxes. The best is called Total BV but the Comma 75W/80 does the job well.

Use the right oil and the gearbox will last for ever. Use the wrong stuff and it's life will be compromised, not to mention gear change quality, especially when cold.

Bren · Unread post by **Bren** » 19 Jan 2009, 19:12

Many thanks - I did use the correct 75W/80 oil and I only used the molyslip because sometimes the gearchange "baulked" when cold - it reminded me of the manual boxes I had in my SD1's. The box has been leaking for some time, not badly, but enough to build up on the plastic undertray.

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 19 Jan 2009, 22:23

You can check if your clutch is disengaging OK by depressing it stationary with the engine running and see if it will go easily into reverse gear with out crunching, the baulking may be due to the clutch not disengaging properly. If it is, then you probably have wear in the synchros, pausing briefly between gears may help. If it fails the 'reverse crunch' test, then as Jim and Anders suggested, check the cable adjustment.