Citroen Relay gearchange

[Benita]

Recently the gear selection on my Citroen Relay Enterprise has been quite stiff when starting from cold.
Once it has run for a few miles and warmed up the gear changing is back to normal.
The master cylinder is common with the braking system and there is no loss of fluid.
There is no sign of loss of oil from the gearbox.
Has anyone any ideas?
However I would like to check the gearbox oil level and possibly add some Molyslip or similar if that might help.
Where is the filler or level plug located?
Thanks
Benita

[Bick]

depends on your year and box type many dont have an oil filler plug. Are you sure your gear change cables are not partially seized and are freeing off a bit after a few miles?

[Benita]

Than you Bick
I will certainly look at the cables and see if I can get some lubricant on them.
Certainly worth a try.
RE the gearbox.
The Relay was first registered November 2010 and has a 2.2L Ford engine.
Does that help?
Thanks for your interest.
Benita

[Bick]

I think you check the level on that box via the drain hole with a weird special tool - i know it sound odd but some are checked like this. The best thing to do is drain the box and refill with the correct oil and the correct amount via the reverse light switch hole - thats how you refill them.

Lube the cables with something like GT85 - be patent it takes days to do a little bit at a time every day for a week. The cables do seize and you dont even want to know how much new ones are!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Benita]

Thank you for the information Bick.
I did try today but the cables are virtually impossible to reach without a ramp,
So I attempted to lubricate them from under the bonnet.
I rigged up a long tube on a 3 in 1 aerosol and while someone moved the gearlever about I sprayed every thing in that area.
I will let you know if there is any improvement.
Benita

[Bick]

best to remove the covers and spray them from inside the cab

[flying clutchman]

Now I'm not sure if the setup is the same on your model, but on the earlier versions the cross-gate movement was controlled by a crank arm on the gearbox that would become partially seized on it's shaft. This type of gearbox had a dash-mounted gearstick heavily weighted towards the passenger seat (5 speed normally) It is a very easy fix if this is the problem, but yours may well be a different design.

[Bick]

Now I'm not sure if the setup is the same on your model, but on the earlier versions the cross-gate movement was controlled by a crank arm on the gearbox that would become partially seized on it's shaft. This type of gearbox had a dash-mounted gearstick heavily weighted towards the passenger seat (5 speed normally) It is a very easy fix if this is the problem, but yours may well be a different design.

Yes you are correct and i forgot about this

best to get under and spray the linkage on to of the gearbox with plenty of penetrating spray also

[Benita]

Thank you both,
I will attempt that although I am not certain how to gain access.
I will have to try long distance spraying again.
Benita

[flying clutchman]

You have to do it from underneath. Jack up the nearside. One of the cables attaches to an L-shape lever. The nuts which hold this to the shaft are covered by a plastic cap. prise this off and you can loosen the retaining nut and spray inside . Once you've got it moving you can lubricate it properly.

[myglaren]

Would Duck Oil be any good? Malcolm seemed to regard it quite highly.

[flying clutchman]

Would Duck Oil be any good? Malcolm seemed to regard it quite highly

Quite possibly.

[Bick]

Would Duck Oil be any good? Malcolm seemed to regard it quite highly.

That is exactly what i used but i did not recommend it as no one seems to know what it is nowadays

[Benita]

Thank you all for your advice.
I was checking my front brake pads on Saturday and realised I could just reach the linlages as Fl;ying Dutchman has advised.
I did not remove the plastic cap as suggested, that would be too difficult for me.
I did have a good spray of the whole area with Tri Flow with Teflon penetrating grease .
I have used this spray on other jobs and find it quite successful.
I have a long trip this weekend so I shall see how it goes.
I will let you all know.
Thanks again for your help
Benita