Where's My Smooth Gearbox?

[dankenning]

I've had my C1 rhythm for 8 months now and I'm generally happy with what I got for the money.

 

However, since I got it I haven't been happy with the gearbox. The gear change from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd can be smooth (usually on hot days, although even then not every time) or goes in with a horrible clatter and/or a knock.

 

I gave it a few months to see if it improved before taking it to the Citroen dealer for them to investigate. They said there was no problem and even had the cheek to say 'it's only a C1'.

 

None of the reviews I've read have mentioned the gearbox other than to say it's very smooth.

 

Is anyone else having this problem?

 

 

 

PS. To change into reverse without crunching the gear come to a complete stop and put it in 1st before selecting reverse. This was in the handbook of my last car (Honda Civic).

[ColinC1]

Hi there Dankenning and welcome to the site.

 

I have owned my C1 VIbe for over 18 months now and the gearbox is a wonderfully smooth Toyota gearbox, just typically japanese in operation with a nice light clutch.

 

There is no knocks, clicks or unusual noises from this gearbox.

 

As for reverse, well just come to a stop and straight into reverse. OK, I agree, ocassionally it might not go in straight away, so go in to neutral, repress the cluch pedal in and then select reverse and it does go in. (This is the standard way to do it for 1st or reverse when starting any manual car, if it does not select straight away).

 

On a rare few times I have had a quiet click (and feel) from the cluch pedal operation, but I assume its the auto-slack takeup in operation.

 

Honestly, I think you have let your dealer off lightly, and if you feel you need conformation on how bad your gearbox is, go and test drive another C1 at a different dealer.

 

Then I would get back onto your dealer and demand a new gearbox, as the one you have is NOT up to standard. if they do not accept this, then write to Citroen HQ's aftersales consumer dept.

 

Cheers Colin

[downsman]

Definitely go back to your dealer and complain, it shouldn't be like that. I think the clutch isn't releasing fully, and the sooner you get it fixed, the better :unsure:

[dankenning]

Thanks for your replies. This is my first new car so I wasn't really sure how to approach it.

 

I'll take it in soon and let you know.

[TurboSlag]

There is a recurring problem with release bearings on these boxes and several 107 owners (including myself) have ended up with new clutches under warranty.

 

Once the new clutch was in the change was sweet and light, with no stickiness or reluctance to go into any gear.

[Martin_1973_uk]

I have the same problem with my Gearbox. It seems a lot worse when the engine is cold. It will crunch in second gear and is certainly not smooth. I might take it back to the dealer or just await the next service as it isn't getting any better.

[dankenning]

Sounds exactly like what I'm experiencing. I'm not sure it's the clutch release bearing as it only affects second gear.

[Trotsky]

Agree with the above - it's a defect and should have been fixed.

 

Letting it go on just gives the dealer a belated excuse to ignore it by possibly blaming you for not getting it seen to earlier (conveniently forgetting that they ignored it).

 

Would an E-Mail to Citroen UK headquarters help ?

Describing the unhelpful dealer & response would protect you & the warranty as you have proof of having tried to get it attended to at the highest level.

[CE08LDB]

If there is something wrong get it looked at as my brother let his C3 go too long with the SensoDrive Gearbox making a noise then the Clutch went and the Gearbox also had to be replaced so the quicker you get it looked at the better.