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When to change the oil in the C6 auto gearbox? |
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cruiserphil |
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Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Thanks lads. The Comma recomendation is great. I was wondering how I would get the fluid for the box. I know it's supposed to be lifetime but I wouldn't be happy with that. I understand that this was Citroen's mistake with the ZF auto in the XM (not lifetime but too long an interval!!) I changed out the oil on the XM at 6000 to 12000 intervals. At 130,000 miles that transmission is running sweet. I have a friend who had an XM with regular oil change driving at 230,000 miles!! I'm not proposing 6000 miles change but I want to see what the oil is like in the cars as they're at the 54,000 mile level. Regards, Phil C. |
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Phil, the clutch packs will generate some wear particles; even if the fluid doesn't go off spec (viscosity range and friction factor) due to shear and heat, the particles will cause wear of the many valve components. I'm planning on changing mine myself, some time over the summer. This will be less than 30,000 miles so maybe worth taking a few photos inside a white (joghurt) container to establish a base for the fluid. I'm planning on 3 changes, to give a calculated 80% new fluid concentration. Just a single drain refill of such a small amount, much less than 1/2 total capacity probably a waste of time. Regards G |
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dsharples |
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Joined: May 18 2010
Member No: #119
Location: Woodbridge |
I also believe that the Saab gearbox fluid ATF 3309 from Parts for Saabs would be compatible. I have purchased many parts from these guys for my Saab's in the past. - Click Here -. |
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cruiserphil |
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Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Thanks G and D. G. if you change oil several times what interval would you give between changes - a short spin, a day?? Obviously you want to flush the converter? Regards, Phil C. |
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Phil C, sorry for delay but to answer your question, I would have thought a 5 mile drive between partial changes would be sufficient. The main reason that I suggest 5 miles is that this should ensure gearbox oil is fully up to temperature. If using Citroen service computer, you might find less than 5 miles is OK. To raise and lower the car quickly for each partial change(3 cycles) I'm using 4 x railway sleepers cut at an angle. Very stable and safe (put suspension on high setting put also use safety stands as well). The railway sleeper seller used a chainsaw to cut the angle. See photos. Regards G |
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C6Dave |
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Member No: #1
Location: Northumberland |
Nice tip to get some decent clearance G | ||
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cruiserphil |
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Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
No problem G. Thanks for tip on height, but I'm fortunate to have a pit so no issues there. Will report back on status when I do the job. Regards, Phil C. | ||
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Hi all, for anyone thinking of changing their ATF, Opie Oil stock Amsoil Synthetic ATF which meets the JWS3309 specification. With the 10% Citroen C6 members discount, plus a further 15% offer to the end of May, this is currently the cheapest ATF available (that meets the JWS3309 spec). I've bought 2 x 5 litre packs, enough for 3 times partial changes plus top up to correct level. Regards G |
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Well changed the AM6 transmission Fluid. Very much smoother changes now and that was with less than 25k miles on the clock. The Citroen procedure is very straightforward, just a little to add. Draining the oil, a Torx T40 key is needed for the inner plug. The outer Plug (which is a plug and a tube to set the level) needs a 17mm hex key. Its very tight and plan on using a torque wrench to re-tighten. For the filler plug, this needs a Torx T55 key. The filler thread for the box is M18 x 1.5mm pitch. This has an internal clearance in the transmission of 16.3mm if you are planning on using a tube to fill. I machined up an M18 x 1.5mm adaptor to fit some rigid polyethylene tubing (which I just happened to have) and used a funnel on top of this. Don't forget to get a large capacity measuring jug to measure what you drain off. I drained off 2.7 litres, filled again with 2.7 litres, drove 6 miles to get it hot, drained off again (without measuring), filled 2,7 litres, drove 6 miles. I then followed the level checking procedure (remove inner plug with engine idling and in park), About 100 millilitres trickled out then started dripping so that was oil level set and checked. Note, my adaptor has a flat to ensure that air can escape as the oil is added. Regards G |
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Chris Burmajster |
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Joined: Apr 03 2010
Member No: #81
Location: South East |
Just had my box done and is now noticeably better than before. Changes both up and down are much smoother. £90 well spent. I'll have this done every 40,000 miles. | ||
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mark28 |
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Joined: Apr 28 2010
Member No: #102
Location: Hampshire |
Chris where did you get yours done | ||
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Chris Burmajster |
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Joined: Apr 03 2010
Member No: #81
Location: South East |
mark28 wrote ... Chris where did you get yours done Ray Williams of Burnham. He's on the Slough Trading Estate and has been doing a good job of looking after my C6 since the warranty ran out. He's a well known independent Citroen specialist and drives a CX. Tell him I recommended him! 239 Berwick Avenue, SLOUGH, SL1 4QT 01753 576853 - Click Here - |
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cruiserphil |
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Member No: #38
Location: Celbridge |
Lads, Ordered Amsoil from Opie as recommended by G. They deliver to Ireland which is grand as I couldn't track down the spec. here. Did an oil change at the weekend and it went as per instructions. I'll do a second change next weekend but notice the difference already in smoothness. Feeling more relaxed now about the transmission as it was a job I wanted to get started on for a while. Regards, Phil C. |
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Hi all, probably will do the partial change or a single drain/fill cycle once per year (around 3 litres) at the same time the engine get fresh oil. Really pretty simple to do and easy to set level with the inner plug removed from the drain tube. Key thing is to measure how much is drained off. Then replace equal amount. Then get transmission up to temperature, and with the engine idling, remove the inner plug (to check the fluid level over the internal weir). Don't make the mistake of checking the transmission fluid level with a cold autobox or the engine stopped. The cost is just the cost for the oil and a washer, no filters on the box. Regards G |
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gmerry |
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Joined: Dec 11 2009
Member No: #21
Location: Scotland |
Hi, list of seals and washers for the job of ATF (partial) drain and refill:= Description Citroen Number Filler Plug Seal (that's the M18 plug on top of the box) 2209 46 Main Drain Seal (thats the M20 plug on bottom of box) 2219 23 Level Setting plug O ring (M8 fits within Main Drain Plug) 2209 45 If there is any difficulty obtaining the citroen parts, copper washers of 18mm ID, 20mm ID, and a Viton O ring with 8mm ID would subsitute for the above. I suggest the Level setting screw (M8 x 1.0 metric fine with Torx head) part number 2208 48 is replaced at each service. Lastly if there is any problems removing the level setting screw, use a hollow 17mm hex with an internal counter bore of 13.0mm which allows one to remove the complete drain plug "oil outfall" and then deal with the inner screw on the workbench. Regards G |
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