S3 transmission oil level
Discussion
Right, come on, let's have it: I've pulled the level plug off the top of the (Citroen, don't forget) transmission... but how the hell does that tell me where the oil should be? Is one supposed to fabricate a dipstick from a spare length of Unobtanium, or is it a matter of peering in and checking that the oil is above the second pinion from the left, 45 degrees backwards and up a bit? 
Car has been stood for 2 years and I don't know whether the previous pilot ever bothered to check it. Not having 1000 quid spare to blow on another tranny, I'm keen to ascertain whether in fact there is a lubrication situation
Ian
Car has been stood for 2 years and I don't know whether the previous pilot ever bothered to check it. Not having 1000 quid spare to blow on another tranny, I'm keen to ascertain whether in fact there is a lubrication situation
Ian
wedg1e said:
Right, come on, let's have it: I've pulled the level plug off the top of the (Citroen, don't forget) transmission... but how the hell does that tell me where the oil should be? Is one supposed to fabricate a dipstick from a spare length of Unobtanium, or is it a matter of peering in and checking that the oil is above the second pinion from the left, 45 degrees backwards and up a bit?
Car has been stood for 2 years and I don't know whether the previous pilot ever bothered to check it. Not having 1000 quid spare to blow on another tranny, I'm keen to ascertain whether in fact there is a lubrication situation
Ian
Ummm... The level plug should be low down on the left hand side. Just fill to bottom of threads. If you have two plugs on the left side, it is the lower one, and someone has changed the box for the C35 type, which was fitted from early '84.
Paul.
He said, having just checked the manual
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Tuesday 29th June 19:23
Ah, indeed there are two plugs on the LH side! I hadn't realised; under all the cack I though they were just bolts holding things together or filling in holes
I was working on the principle that the large hex plug on top of the box (under the rubber inspection cover) was the filler AND level, just couldn't see how you checked. As it transpires, the oil seems to be ABOVE the lower plug... but in any case it's rancid and well-overdue for change.
As it happens the car is a late '83 but has a mid-84 engine (judging by the numbers on it)... maybe the gearbox was changed at the same time.
OK then, next question: since my car jumps out of reverse unless you hold it in, I guess there's something amiss in the linkages. I've tried selecting reverse at the gearbox end, then climbing in and starting up, when it doesn't jump out. The gearshift travel doesn't seem to be restricted, the bushes along the way aren't desperatley bad, maybe the linkage needs extending to give more travel at the 'box end? Is there a setup procedure?
I really MUST get a manual...
Ian
I was working on the principle that the large hex plug on top of the box (under the rubber inspection cover) was the filler AND level, just couldn't see how you checked. As it transpires, the oil seems to be ABOVE the lower plug... but in any case it's rancid and well-overdue for change.
As it happens the car is a late '83 but has a mid-84 engine (judging by the numbers on it)... maybe the gearbox was changed at the same time.
OK then, next question: since my car jumps out of reverse unless you hold it in, I guess there's something amiss in the linkages. I've tried selecting reverse at the gearbox end, then climbing in and starting up, when it doesn't jump out. The gearshift travel doesn't seem to be restricted, the bushes along the way aren't desperatley bad, maybe the linkage needs extending to give more travel at the 'box end? Is there a setup procedure?
I really MUST get a manual...
Ian
Ian,
The level plug is on the left side, the lower of the two you'll find there, the other is a blanking plug.
If filling the box from empty, or draining it, you have to wait about 10 min. with the car on level ground to get an accurate fill.
This is because the fifth gear of this box was placed inside an extension added to the case. There is no gallery or tube for the lube to enter/drain from this extension. Rather, the lube must migrate through between the ball bearings of the primary shaft bearing, it is this migration which takes 10 or so min. to accomplish.
Your reverse troubles sound like a misadjusted crossgate cable. These stretch over time and come out of adjustment. There is a limit to how far they can stretch and still be adjusted. Once this limit is reached, the cable must be replaced.
To adjust, loosen the locknut on the cable extension and remove the clevis pin from the gate. Then, in half turn increments, lengthen the cable until reverse is properly engaged, taking care not to go too far or you'll throw 1st gear out of whack. Helps to have a friend inside the car to check the shifter while you make the adjustments. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
The level plug is on the left side, the lower of the two you'll find there, the other is a blanking plug.
If filling the box from empty, or draining it, you have to wait about 10 min. with the car on level ground to get an accurate fill.
This is because the fifth gear of this box was placed inside an extension added to the case. There is no gallery or tube for the lube to enter/drain from this extension. Rather, the lube must migrate through between the ball bearings of the primary shaft bearing, it is this migration which takes 10 or so min. to accomplish.
Your reverse troubles sound like a misadjusted crossgate cable. These stretch over time and come out of adjustment. There is a limit to how far they can stretch and still be adjusted. Once this limit is reached, the cable must be replaced.
To adjust, loosen the locknut on the cable extension and remove the clevis pin from the gate. Then, in half turn increments, lengthen the cable until reverse is properly engaged, taking care not to go too far or you'll throw 1st gear out of whack. Helps to have a friend inside the car to check the shifter while you make the adjustments. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
lotusguy said:
Ian,
The level plug is on the left side, the lower of the two you'll find there, the other is a blanking plug.
If filling the box from empty, or draining it, you have to wait about 10 min. with the car on level ground to get an accurate fill.
This is because the fifth gear of this box was placed inside an extension added to the case. There is no gallery or tube for the lube to enter/drain from this extension. Rather, the lube must migrate through between the ball bearings of the primary shaft bearing, it is this migration which takes 10 or so min. to accomplish.
Your reverse troubles sound like a misadjusted crossgate cable. These stretch over time and come out of adjustment. There is a limit to how far they can stretch and still be adjusted. Once this limit is reached, the cable must be replaced.
To adjust, loosen the locknut on the cable extension and remove the clevis pin from the gate. Then, in half turn increments, lengthen the cable until reverse is properly engaged, taking care not to go too far or you'll throw 1st gear out of whack. Helps to have a friend inside the car to check the shifter while you make the adjustments. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
lotusguy said:
Hi,
Sorry if I stole your thunder, but this is an informational forum and others are served by posting the info. here, rather than emailing it privately. No harm meant. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
No thunder stolen. If anybody else wants the official procedure, I can always send to them as well.
lotusguy said:
Ian,
The level plug is on the left side, the lower of the two you'll find there, the other is a blanking plug.
If filling the box from empty, or draining it, you have to wait about 10 min. with the car on level ground to get an accurate fill.
This is because the fifth gear of this box was placed inside an extension added to the case. There is no gallery or tube for the lube to enter/drain from this extension. Rather, the lube must migrate through between the ball bearings of the primary shaft bearing, it is this migration which takes 10 or so min. to accomplish.
Your reverse troubles sound like a misadjusted crossgate cable. These stretch over time and come out of adjustment. There is a limit to how far they can stretch and still be adjusted. Once this limit is reached, the cable must be replaced.
To adjust, loosen the locknut on the cable extension and remove the clevis pin from the gate. Then, in half turn increments, lengthen the cable until reverse is properly engaged, taking care not to go too far or you'll throw 1st gear out of whack. Helps to have a friend inside the car to check the shifter while you make the adjustments. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE
Cheers Jim: always useful to know!
Ian
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