All Things V6...

[Mandrake]

I have to wonder if there is a little bit of planned obsolescence in the design of these oil coolers..... or am I being too cynical ??

It reminds me of the coolant expansion vessel on the Xantia V6 - designed to fail about every 20k miles, with my Xantia (according to records) being on it's 4th now! (Two replacements during its original ownership and once since I've had it)

[white exec]

On XM, failure of the expansion tank is normally down to the central welded seam opening up. Was it the same on Xantia?

My own reaction to a repeatedly failing component, or one with a known poor history, is to find "another way", if possible. There seems little point in just replicating the weak point, in the hope that it won't happen again. This looks even more persuasive when the result of failure is either catastrophic/expensive (eg an auto box), or leaving the car immobile (eg IGN switch/starter failure).

I like the idea of keeping cherished cars 'original', but sometimes common sense just over-rules that. Have always tried to ensure that modifications are done well, and are also documented, so that any potential buyer can see an advantage, not a bodge. It also helps remember what the hell was done!

[DHallworth]

It is the same fault on the Xantia header tank, Chris. They start to seep around the welded seam. I just managed to get one the other week from a group buy the Activa Club in France did.

The heat exchanger on the C5/C6/407 V6's isn't exactly common from what I can make out. Nobody else on the C5, C6 or 407 owners groups seems to have experienced a failure. BL Auto's advised they've only seen 4 previously too. I think I've been unlucky that it failed on the 407 and even unluckier that the C6 I travelled to France for has the same problem! Although, according to Cheryl it's my fault for being stupid and buying the C6...

On another note, the C6 was collected from BL Auto's by the gearbox specialist today. They advised that they are very busy so it could be a few weeks before the car is done so it's just a waiting game now.

I've been persevering with flushing the gearbox on the 407 this week. I've flushed the gearbox with 30 litres of JWS3324 now. 3 litres out, 3 litres in, run the car on the ramp whilst going in and out of all the gears. It's tedious but it seems to be working. Before I did the last 2 flushes today I had the car out for a run. I did 5 miles, then a fluid change, then 15 miles, and another fluid change and when I got back tonight I dropped out the final 3 litres and poured in the last 3 litres from my 20 litre drum.

The consistency of what is coming out of the sump is the same as what's going into the filler, the smell is also the same but it's still not the same colour as what I'm putting in.

The good news is the car seems to be changing gear nicely. However, I've been told that something in antifreeze attacks the seals in the gearbox so I'm now at a bit of a crossroad. Do I give up and just assume the box needs to be rebuilt, or do I order another 20 litres and keep flushing?

Part of me thinks I should keep going as I caught the fault on the 407 fairly quickly and a massive part of me doesn't want t give up on the car... However, part of me also thinks that I'm £150 in on gear oil now, another 20 litre drum is going to make that £250 in...

It really is a case of my heart and my head fighting with each other at the moment.

David.

[white exec]

If it were me, and watching the pence, I'd be continuing with the flushing - a lot less expensive than a box rebuild, and the possibility of success. And the satisfaction if it works out!

Real pain not being able to do a total drain-down, but then torque converters always prevented that. Think you're right about colour and smell being good indicators.

That 2275 57 oil cooler is a popular item. Parts has it fitted to
1 document(s) found for C4
1 document(s) found for C4 (B7)
1 document(s) found for C4 PICASSO
1 document(s) found for C5 (X7)
1 document(s) found for C5 II
2 document(s) found for C6
1 document(s) found for C8
1 document(s) found for DISPATCH COMBI
1 document(s) found for DISPATCH III
1 document(s) found for DS 4
1 document(s) found for DS 5

[Gibbo2286]

If it were me, and watching the pence, I'd be continuing with the flushing - a lot less expensive than a box rebuild, and the possibility of success. And the satisfaction if it works out!

Real pain not being able to do a total drain-down, but then torque converters always prevented that. Think you're right about colour and smell being good indicators.

Not 'always' I remember early Borg Warner boxes had a hole in the bottom of the bell housing and a drain plug in the convertor so the oil could be changed...............…but that was probably before you were born.

[white exec]

You're right, Gibbo - there was a drain plug in some of the BW torque converters.

And no, I am old enough to remember seeing more than one of those. Converted a P6 2000 from manual to auto around 1975. Had a few other auto's as well: my '59 Mini ended up 1098cc TC with an AP auto box, and a later Morris 1100 (bought with a pooped engine) got a complete VDP 1300 Auto power unit.

Oddly, given the blunted performance of these boxes, the cars proved some of the most privately-sellable ones I ever passed on.

[DHallworth]

We've heard from the gearbox place... the car should be ready for late next week

I've not been chasing and have left them to it as I'd rather it was done when they can do it rather then trying to hurry things along. Must admit, I'm looking forward to getting it back though

David.

[DHallworth]

The C6 has returned from having it's gearbox rebuilt! It's currently at BL awaiting collection. Apparently it's driving perfectly now though which is great

David.

[Stickyfinger]

Did you have it converted to an external cooler ?

[DHallworth]

No, it's not as simple as you'd think so it's been replaced with a like for like one.

David.

[Stickyfinger]

Good luck with it David.....I take it they issue a guarantee for that "worry about it for a year" feeling

[DHallworth]

Parts come with a 12 month warranty and the gearbox rebuild has a 12 month warranty as well. Fingers crossed everything is perfect.

[Stickyfinger]

As a daily you will forget about it a lot quicker as you will cover those miles needed to be comfortable that all is well.

[DHallworth]

It'll have done over 400, probably nearer 500 by the time it gets home at the weekend so am fairly certain we'll know quickly enough if it's gonna behave.

David.

[Stickyfinger]

That will not stop you "listening to it" all the time and checking the down shift in the morning ....for a bit