C5 2.2 (170) 6 Speed Gearbox Oil Capacity

[FridgemagnetC5]

Anyone know what the oil capacity for the 6 speed manual gearbox in a 2007 2.2 HDi (170 bhp) C5 is? The Haynes manual helpfully lists two types of ML6C gearboxes - with and without cooling fins, and these take 2.6 and 1.9 litres of oil respectively.

 

My helpful local Citroen dealers ran my VIN through their system and it came back with 1.9 litres, but I'm not sure if I believe this as my gearbox seems to have cooling fins. Here is the pic of my gearbox:

 

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y225/MrFMagnet/Vroom/20160401_145323.jpg

 

I also ran my VIN through Service Box and it came back with the model "BVM ML6 CL", though I was unable to find the oil capacity.

 

I know the oil is supposedly good for life but I need to remove a driveshaft soon; also there seems to be a slight leak from a gasket so the oil level might be a little low, otherwise I'd just measure what comes out. Does anyone recognise the particular flavour of gearbox in the pic above?

[paul.h]

This is from the service box under Gearbox / Repair Procedures / General Specifications: ML6C reinforced manual gearbox and the pictures there show the cooling fins as in your photo -

2.1. Data

The ML6C Reinforced gearbox is a development of the ML6C gearbox :

• New clutch housing
• Gearbox casing with fins for improved cooling
• New reinforced 5-6 hub
• New hydraulic concentric clutch stop which directly activates the clutch mechanism by action on the pedal without passing via a fork
• Transmission torque : 370 Nm (limit 350 N.m in 1st, 2nd and reverse gear)  

 

8. Lubrication

CAUTION : The ML6C type Reinforced gearbox has a different oil capacity to that of the ML6C gearbox.

Oil capacity (after draining) : 1,9 litre.

Oil capacity (after an operation on the gearbox) : 2,2 litres.

Check the oil level : No check of level (*).

Lubricated for life.

N.B. : (*) Make a visual check of the sealing at each engine draining operation.

ESSENTIAL : It is essential to drain the gearbox and refill it with the exact quantity of oil in the event of an external leak and after a repair. 

[FridgemagnetC5]

Thanks paul.h, much appreciated. I was back at the Citroen dealers again today to pick up some parts and showed my gearbox pic to one of the senior mechanics there and he confirms what you're saying above - the drain-and-fill capacity is 1.9 litres. Confusingly this is also the from-bone-dry capacity of the smaller ML6C unit without the cooling fins, at least according to Haynes. Of which, given that Haynes list the cooling-finned ML6C as having a 2.6 litre capacity (with no qualifiers), I wonder how many people have over-filled their gearboxes and blown a seal* based on this?

 

I'll do the job tomorrow if weather permits, measure the volume of oil I drain out and report back.

 

_{*It's just a bit of snow on my moustache, honest.}

[FridgemagnetC5]

It pains me to my very core to admit this, but I must concede defeat and I have requested a quote from my local Citroen dealers. It's the intermediate bearing on the RH driveshaft that's the killer - it's very inaccessible on the 2.2 HDi engine and it's more than I can physically do with just ramps and jacks. I've done the same procedure before with the LH driveshaft and that's relatively easy.

 

Thank-you again to paul.h for the very helpful gearbox information - I hope at least this thread provides useful figures for others who are uncertain about the oil capacity of the ML6C gearbox with the cooling fins as the figures quoted by Haynes would lead to a nasty overfill.

[4rchibald]

As I remember correctly, 2.6l is for old type of gearbox, whereas the developed version only needs 1.9. 

New oil does make a noticeable difference to gear change, but didn't remove whining noise under light load at 30-50MPH, so many C5 X7 owners complain about