C5 (Series 1) AL4 Auto Oil Change Questions

Update.
The first 3l auto fluid drained was black, really black. After a few thousand kms drained auto fluid still quite black but a tinge of redness.
As the performance of this AL4 (I believe) has improved, there will be a third (3rd) auto fluid change coming up.
By the way, I had great difficulty in replacing filler plug in both cases as I had only removed a section of the air intake.
There's a rubber hose, and the gear selector (irrespective of gear chosen - tried all) in the way to align plug correctly into gear box. The 3/8" drive socket was too big.
I made another tool so that a 1/4" drive socket can be used. The 8mm key steel had the corners filed in order to fit in the 8mm 1/4" drive socket.
Sorry, unable to down load photo.
 
Tried again - just the photo.
Regards John
 

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Next time save some time and remove the airfilter box once the inlet hose is removed. Well that's on the diesel as gives you a tonne of room to manoeuvre both hands😉
 
I was tempted/considered removing that filter box when I realized that it was an alignment issue that was resolved with the thinner tool.
 
These tools are available in a set from super cheap auto for around$40

Tim

Mobile citroen specialist Mechanic
 
Hi, well I found this out too late. Haynes manual never mentioned the updated sump plug and plastic tube. I drained 1l and thought someone had replaced drain with ordinary sump plug, so I put 3.5 litres back in and took it for a 30min drive. Oil leaking out the gearbox as I had actually overfilled it by 2.5 litres. Only discoveted by reading this post and buying a 8mm hex to locate the plastic tube. So I drained the excess out. Now I read a page that said seals might just leak under pressure rather than blow permanently.
So does anyone know the damage I've done to my al4 dpo gearbox? The car still runs fine but if seals are blown I'm wondering what problems to expect.

I'm going to get under it with hot washing up water and a brush and clean it off, then I can see if it is permanently leaking.
 
Last edited:
Kcar said:
Hi, well I found this out too late. Haynes manual never mentioned the updated sump plug and plastic tube. I drained 1l and thought someone had replaced drain with ordinary sump plug, so I put 3.5 litres back in and took it for a 30min drive. Oil leaking out the gearbox as I had actually overfilled it by 2.5 litres. Only discoveted by reading this post and ....
...
I'm going to get under it with hot washing up water and a brush and clean it off, then I can see if it is permanently leaking.
Click to expand...
Regretfully, that's all I would suggest.
If the 30 min drive after the overfill was not strenuous, you may be lucky with no permanent damage to the AL4.
With ours, apart from computer issues diagnosing a non existing "gearbox fault", after the 3 changes it has been operating OK despite nearing 300K kilometres. (I say computer issues because once cleared of faults recorded - no issues since.)
Future advise, irrespective of equipment (gearbox or motor) do what I do and take note of what comes out. To drain 1 litre and put in 2 1/2, the penny should have dropped unless there was an obvious loss of atf (on the floor) and gearbox misbehaving.
John
 
always use axel stands under the hydraulic C5's no matter how quick, not very good consciences for the fellow underneath if something happens.

Keep driving and hopefully the seals and clutches have just been lubricated and no further issues
 
I use 4 concrete blocks, one for each wheel, with smaller bricks and wood to create a ramp to drive the car onto and raise it, so very safe.
 
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