gearbox draining plug on my C5 x7

[KennyW]

Hi All,


Can someone tell me where the draining plug is ?

I may have found it but it's in an awkward position. I need to confirm its position.

Manual gearbox BVM ML6CL

Kenny

[Stickyfinger]

No 15

Code: 061001331037A
Name: ENGINE CLUTCH HOUSING MANUAL GEARBOX
Date: 03.01.2012
Application: BVM ML6 CL

01 2206 EF 01 TRANSMISSION FRONT AXLE HOUSG
02 2206 AH 01 GEAR-BOX HOUSING
03 2207 A9 01 MANUAL GEAR-BOX COVER
04 2105 50 01 CLUTCH BUFFER GUIDE BUSH
05 2121 49 01 CLUTCH FOLK BELLOWS,
Replaced by 2121 58
06 2105 43 04 FORK SHAFT BUSH
08 2107 H2 01 GEARBOX OIL SPOUT
09 2106 26 01 OIL DEFLECTOR
10 2538 22 01 HARDNESS TESTER
11 2208 47 01 PLUG SENSOR DEAD POINT
12 0164 30 01 PLUG SEAL,
DIAM 16X22-2,
WITHOUT ASBESTOS
13 2257 53 01 SWITCH-REVERSE
14 2218 15 01 GEAR-BOX OIL SUMP MAGNET,
DIAM 35-5
15 2221 11 01 ENGINE OIL DRAIN PLUG,
16X150
16 2221 49 01 GEAR-BOX HOUSING PLUG
17 2314 55 02 SCREW CBX,
DIAM 8X125-17
22 2268 27 01 GEAR-BOX BREATHER
23 2268 13 01 GEAR-BOX BREATHER PROTECTOR
24 2209 48 01 MANUAL GEAR-BOX COVER GASKET

[KennyW]

Alasdair,

Just found the same photo,

Thanks

Kenny

[Estately]

Hi Kenny,
You may find it worthwhile to put something under the gearbox drain plug as you will have noticed it is directly above part of the sub frame. The oil goes

everywhere when the plug is removed and with something to divert the oil you will have less mess to clear up. You can also confirm the quantity drained from the

box for when you refill. The ones I have done contained just less than 2 litres, at about 1.9 litres.

They did have magnetic plugs, but I thought it a good idea to attach a really strong magnet to the plug and do a run or two to get it up to temperature. It will attract

the ferrous debris for a better oil change.

Hope that helps.
Andy.

[KennyW]

Thanks Andy,

I noticed this and confirmed it again with the Diagram posted by Alasdair.

I'm going to cut a hole in subframe to access the Drain plug.

Kenny

[aerodynamica]

Hi Kenny, I put a rag either side of the drain plug to stop oil running off L & R on the bit of subframe that's in the way. To get the central plug out I found that a TX40 (i think) with a bit of metal rod welded to it on two of the opposing flats to make a sort of wrench, allowed the central plug to be removed. To remove the main drain plug I used an old 17mm hex wheel nut cut down to fit in the plug and then used a 17mm ring spanner and a bit of mind over matter to undo it. This is the one that cascades hot transmission fluid out like a tide. You only get something like 4l drained out with 3l remaining in the torque converter (or vice versa) and you need to have it heated up to 62 C too. Needs repeated 3-4 times to change as much as possible. Iv'e done this 5 times back in January- March and afterwards did notice an improvement to the smootheness of the shifting.

[aerodynamica]

Ignore that kenny, thought you had auto box

[KennyW]

Thanks Graeme for your input, It will be useful for Autobox users anyway.

Andy forgot to ask what type of key is used to remove the plug.

[Estately]

Kenny,
I will try and describe it. It is brass coloured and essentially is two in one. The one end is a large square (13mm), not the one you want, the other end is a small

square, 8mm. which had to be lightly ground to fit into the plug. The centre has a hex profile to take a 19mm ring spanner. It also has a horizontal hole through it.

It is short enough to fit into the plug above the subframe at 4.5 cm. (You may need to lift the engine/gearbox a few mm to slide the tool up into the plug.)

I took a smallish plastic shallow tray with vertical sides (like a lid), cut the end off, this then fitted under the plug and as it came out, the oil could flow into a

receptacle of your choice - no mess and you know how much oil was in the gear box.

If I can find an example I will send the link, or heaven forbid try and upload a picture of mine.
Andy.

[KennyW]

I should be alright I have 8mm square 3/8 drive socket.

Kenny

[Estately]

Kenny,
You can see what it looks like, Ebay item number 252285232794 is for a set of 5 sump plug oil drain spanners. (Search Ebay with that number)

The useful thing about these is that a ring spanner fits the middle of the tool unlike others that need a driver on the end which then will not fit into the space

between the plug and the subframe, we'll mine won't.

Andy

[pi14]

Dear All,

look at the following link in this forum. I changed oil lately. Maybe you will find it useful.

viewtopic.php?t=71074&start=15

Best,
Przemek

[KennyW]

Thanks for your link and input Przemek and the photos confirm where my drain plug is. I have steel sub frame as well.

I think I will drill an access hole to the drain plug.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Kenny

[GiveMeABreak]

I've only just picked this - have you done the job now Kenny? Otherwise I can put up the guide in the resources section, but to be honest, there's very little involved according to the procedure:

Vehicle on hoist > Remove Under Engine protection > Remove Drain Plug & Seal!

Refilling
Refit: The drain cap fitted with a new seal.
Fit the cap.
Remove the air filter housing (if necessary).
Refill the gearbox via the air vent hole.

Re fit
The air filter housing (if necessary)
The protective panel under the engine

Torque Settings
Drain Plug: 3 daNm

Obviously measure amount of oil drained and replace with exact amount removed.

Oil quantity to fill after draining for a drain only (non-overhaul):

1) Gearbox casing with fins = 1.9 litres
2) Gearbox Casing without fins = 2.6 litres.

Type of oil: ESSO 75W80 EZL 848 or TOTAL 75W80 H6965.

Note this is for the ML6C Gearbox Type which is what you have.

[KennyW]

Thanks Marc, I've read it and it doesn't mention the access problem on the steel sub frame. Have Citroen been reading the BOL.

No I haven't done the job yet, just waiting to finish the bearing first.

Kenny