XANTIA: VERY STIFF GEARS!

tylerbode · Unread post by **tylerbode** » 25 Jan 2011, 09:19

Citroen Xantia 2.0 HTDi W Reg

Suddenly over the last 2 weeks my gears have become very stiff. It is very hard to change gears and have to use all my strength to force it in. It gets a bit easier when the car warms up. Any help much appreciated, thanks.

Tyler

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 25 Jan 2011, 09:55

Is this with or without the engine running, does it make any difference?

Peter

Unread post by **RichardW** » 25 Jan 2011, 09:56

HDI 90 or 110?

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 25 Jan 2011, 10:04

Surely a classic case of the selector cables drying up rather than actual
gearbox issues and impending calamities.

I don't know my way round HDi's but would concentrate attention on
the selection cables.

Andrew

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 25 Jan 2011, 20:31

RichardW wrote:HDI 90 or 110?

The answer to this question is vital for diagnosis. 110s have cables, 90s have rods.

Without knowing which it is all guesswork. The 110 can be identified easily by there being two large-diameter turbo pipes next to the air filter box. The 90 has only one.

HDI Dave · Unread post by **HDI Dave** » 25 Jan 2011, 23:06

I'm thinking along the same line as Peter.n,

What's it like with the engine off, trying to engage any gear..without using the clutch,in neutral,1,2,2,4 etc...hard,strained,bloody difficult etc?

Or is it hard getting it into gear with the engine running? Hard 'forcing' the gearstick, or hard forcing the clutch pedal?

What's the mileage on the clutch?

I'm only putting my two penneth worth in as it sounds like when my hdi 110 clutch passed away,went rock hard and then bang!

Never know, might be summat simpler : )

tylerbode · Unread post by **tylerbode** » 26 Jan 2011, 09:06

CitroJim wrote:
RichardW wrote:HDI 90 or 110?
The answer to this question is vital for diagnosis. 110s have cables, 90s have rods.

Without knowing which it is all guesswork. The 110 can be identified easily by there being two large-diameter turbo pipes next to the air filter box. The 90 has only one.

Hi Jim, its a 90 thanks.

tylerbode · Unread post by **tylerbode** » 26 Jan 2011, 09:09

andmcit wrote:Surely a classic case of the selector cables drying up rather than actual
gearbox issues and impending calamities.

I don't know my way round HDi's but would concentrate attention on
the selection cables.

Andrew

Cheers Andrew, if this is the case, how do I go about fixing it?

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 26 Jan 2011, 10:08

Being a 90bhp it will be selector RODS not calbes...

The nylon ball joints on the gearbox were the selector rods live will have got dry....

Remove the Air cleaner, and then look down towards the back of the gearbox..

Pop the rods off and try lubrcating them back up... I use an open end spanner to pop them off, though if the rubbers damper on the long one is shot its likely to break out of its house..

Paul

Unread post by **RichardW** » 26 Jan 2011, 11:58

I think there's a pivot on the front subframe too that might have seized. If it came on suddenly when the car was in regular use though, I'm inclined to think it might not be related to the selectors - are the gears still stiff when the engine is not running? Was any work done that might have involved draining the gear box? Putting 'std' 85/90 gear oil in really wrecks the change on these when the box is cold.

tylerbode · Unread post by **tylerbode** » 26 Jan 2011, 15:12

Thank guys, will give it a go. Have to say this is a great forum with many generous and knowledgeable people. Saving me a right few quid!

Cheers Tyler