Clutch Replaced, Now Have Gear Whine.

[Floyd]

The release bearing went the other week, so I had the car recovered to my local garage whom doesn't do clutches himself but has a guy who does them for him. So a new clutch assembly later I've got the car back but it's come back with a whine on 1st,2nd and 3rd gears (they basically sound like reverse gear), but 4th and 5th are fine. Now I don't want to go back to the guy and tell him he's done a botch job if it's not actually the case, but this noise wasn't there until he worked on it. Any ideas?

[paul.h]

Could be the wrong oil has been used to refill the gearbox or the wrong amount/level. Many Citroen gearboxes do not have a level plug and to get the right amount of oil it has to be drained and then refilled through the top with the correct amount. It could be the person who did your clutch does not have the information to do this correctly.

[Floyd]

Thanks Paul. I've got the car booked in to a reputable indy Citroen garage tomorrow to sort out a rear suspension leak (strut replacement I think) so they're going to have a look at the clutch problem at the same time. When I explained the problem over the phone, the mechanic instantly said the same as you have which gives me hope of it not breaking the bank too much!

[paul.h]

Just checked for your car 2.0 petrol 55 plate and the gearbox BE4-5 has a filling/level plug at the back and after draining it should take 1.8 litres of oil (1.9 total). So should not take long to check this.

[Floyd]

Well the Citroen guys have had a look at it and are of the opinion it's the gearbox bearings. Now since the noise wasn't there before the new clutch was fitted they offered a possible suggestion that it may have been run without oil when the clutch had been replaced, then the fitter had an "OH S@@T" moment and put some oil in it...........can't see him owning up to that one though :( Also going off the clutch judder they reckon a cheap/remanufactured clutch has been fitted, so someone has definitely had my trousers down!

[paul.h]

Did the Citroen people check the oil level was correct and that the oil seemed the right type ? If not I would be tempted to change the oil, according to the Haynes manual it should be SAE 75W-80W to API GL5. In any case I would be going back to your garage and they should contact who did the clutch to complain/find out what was done and what make of parts were used.

 

If you did not have clutch judder before the new one was installed, then there is a chance it may go as the new one beds in. If it does not then your garage ought to replace it.

 

If it does need new bearings, they are not that difficult to replace if you have a few days, there will be 6 in total, 2 on the input shaft, 2 on the output one and 2 on the differential. I guess if you did not do the clutch then you probably would not want to do the gearbox. If paying somebody to do it, a box from another car is probably cheaper.