Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Manual Transmission Gear Oil Change

I changed by gearbox oil during my last service before Chinese New Year 2009, it was a 80W90 Rating. Somehow, after changing, I felt the gear change isn't smooth, it's slightly rougher and sometimes hard to engage into first gear unless I release-and-press the clutch few times and requires a little more force to engage into first. At first, it did not hit me, until sometimes the problem gets very irritating especially when you're stuck in the jam and need to downshift to first gear quickly and avoid other car cutting queue (sometimes I feel like wanted to just SLAM the gear hard).

Then, I decided to check on it and also suspected the gear oil. At that time, I didn't check what specifications oil they used (as they are authorized dealer and have been dealing with Peugeot for long time), and I also didn't know the exact oil specification for manual gearbox.
Finally, when I check it, I notice the one they used for mine was 80W90, and the recommended specification should be BV 75W80.
I also read that this specification was specially recommended for PSA gearbox and it is based on PSA's specification.

I'm not sure if it's safe to use other gearbox oil and is it problems I'm facing really due to the gearbox oil, but I just don't feel good knowing I'm using a different specification moreover with the current gearbox behavior.

Below is some pictures taken from the "User Handbook". For locally assembled Peugeot 206 (aka Bestari), you might not have some of these information. This is a Fully Imported Peugeot 206 Handbook with complete details.




As you can see above, there're some "Servicing" information and guides which covers few pages, including the recommended Engine Oil with a chart.

If you wish to see similar information, you can get it from 2006 Total Lubricant Servicing Schedule For Peugeot PDF:
http://www.lubricants.total.com/lub/content/NT000B84C6.pdf

Here's 2 Page on the 206 extracted from the PDF:




As you can see below, it also mentioned that the transmission oils with BV 75W80 is particularly recommended for PSA gearbox. I got this information off another site about transmission oil:
http://www.bennettlubricants.com.au/transmission-oils/


Ok, finally, I decided to spend again and get the gearbox oil change. The day I planned to go didn't turn out to be successful, but that day, I felt the gearchange even rougher and the difficulties in engaging 1st gear is getting on me especially with the traffic jams. Finally I decided to go the very next day.

As it's a quite rushing thing, and as usual, Bluebox Glenmarie is always fully booked, so didn't managed to go there. Decided to go back to where I change the gearbox oil previously, but surprisingly when I inquire them through phone about the gearbox oil, they only have 80W90 and claimed so far they never have any problems.

So then, I decided to go straight to Kheng Soon 3S since I never been there and have heard from some other owners that they have good service, moreover they're authorised and it's a 3S centre. Supposed they have the "recommended" gearboxoil. I went there without checking further.

Again,... to my surprise, they don't have it, only have 80W90. I asked if they're able to get it, but they can't. Dissapointed, I just have my coolant changed and decided to get the oil somewhere. When I was leaving, I called up Volcare but they too only have 80W90 specification oil. Then I got an idea, which is to get the oil from Bluebox Glenmarie and change it at another authorised SC, but nobody answers.....

So as I drive along... something big and red strikes me... it's... 2 BOOMERANGS! The cousin of Peugeot, Citroen!!! I quickly make a stop and turn into Citroen. Surprisingly, the environment inside looks much better... The front desk personnels seems more friendly and profesional too?
So, I asked for the gearbox oil, they have it! But they were asking me... "Which model?"
I answered: "Actually, I'm driving a Peugeot"
Personnel: "Can use?"
Me: "Can, actually it's same. Anyway, you're selling Total brand?"
Personnel: "No, it's ESSO"
Me: "Oh, can also, it's 75W80 right?"

So, he took the bottle of 2L for me, and I think he finally realiaze the bottle actually have both Peugeot & Citroen logo all over and also behind the box actually have "AUTOMOBILES PEUGEOT" printed.
The bad news: That 2L bottle cost me over RM100...
(A check with Tony, you can get it from him around RM80, I supposed Total brand would be slightly cheaper?)

Back I go to Kheng Soon 3S. Something funny happen, the moment I took out the gearbox oil, the frontdesk personnel first reaction was "That is AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oil".
I insist that it is not, another person check and still insist it was automatic transmission oil. I insist again, so they get a mechanic over to check and the mechanic verifies it is indeed manual gearbox oil.

Finally the front desk personnel asked me: "Where you buy?"
Me: "Erm... Citroen"
Personnel (eyes big and smiling): "Expensive"
Mmm....

Below are some pictures of the gearbox oil.
For the BE4/5 gearbox, it uses approximately 1.9L of oil.
For MA5 gearbox (Peugeot 206 1.1L, 1.4L, 1.6L), it uses approximately 2L of oil.





Now, after so long story, I guess what you guys really want to know and interested is the "actual" result.
Well, for me, it's better and especially at certain situation, you can feel the gearchange slide smoothly as if got good lubrication.
So far, no more complains engaging 1st gear. There is however slight difficulties at certain times/condition but it's quite common, it's not like the previous which happens most of the time and it's really difficult that you have to release-and-press the clutch again and maybe again.

Disclaimer: I'm not sure if 80W90 can be use on these gearbox or is it actually been approved by PSA. Maybe someone can get some information? As I can't find any information from the internet so far BUT I found similar problems like mine who uses 80W90 and is having difficulties engaging first gear especially, and also read someone mentioned that it will damaged the syncromesh. How true? No idea. Perhaps someone can verify this information.

13 comments:

TitanRev said...

It will damage your syncros because a thicker oil has more higher viscosity hence it will be hard for the oil to fully lubricate the intended parts. These high viscosity oil will need higher temp for them to work well.

jvipers2 said...

Looks like NAZA is trying to sabotage all Peugeot owners?? :D

My206GTi said...

Titan,
Yes that's what I read too. And I think that could be the reason the gears are harder to engage especially on the first.

Thanks for the information~


Julian,

I'm not sure if PSA has already approved the 80W90 gear oil, so I have no idea why they're using, but the SC I go to was a long time workshop dealing with Pugs and all these while they have been using 80W90 according to them and has no problems so far.

So I have no idea why as of now, just I find the gearchange more difficult. Others seems to be using it without complains, maybe I'm more sensitive or maybe they just think it's normal since used to it.

jvipers2 said...

Well, I think it's best u guyz write a letter to Peugeot PSA and clarify.. I guess not all owners are really car junkies.. And they might not be as 'sensitive' or juz plain lazy to complain~

My206GTi said...

Jullian,

Thanks for your concern. I've informed someone in Nasim. Hopefully he can check on this issue.

But for the manual gearbox, actually the MTF change interval is every 60,000KM. But just as an extra measure, I plan to change it every year or maybe 2. And so far, haven't really heard problems on the manual as it's pretty robust, just that the gear linkage is often heard of having problems from the internet.

Joel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joel said...

I just changed my auto gear oil on tues. Took it up to genting on wed. Gear keep refusing to change up or down. Sucks more now than before the gear oil change. Worryin me. Even worried after reading your post. Checked the receipt but they using the correct oil. Any ideas? Does this same thing affect automatic users? Sill testing to see if it continues.

My206GTi said...

Joel,

For Auto, they should be using the correct oil as the auto is very important to be using the correct oil. Is yours ESSO ATF "PR 9736.22".
Which service centre did you went to?

Try drive around for a few days and see if the gear behavior changed? If they have reset the settings, it might need to re-adapt to your driving style again.

Do update us on your status, you can join Autoworld Peugeot forum or My206Club forum.

Eugene said...

Joel.. joel.. which joel are you?.. the one who bought the pugs logo from the club before or another guy?

Joel said...

Hi, Eugene, nope, i'm not that Joel. I'm joel wong and new here.

few days on, regarding my gear change - its much better now - smoother. gave me a fright. maybe they resetted the gearbox or something.

I did my change at KS and I think they put the right oil in. Same one as the manual in the receipt.

Ethan said...

Didn't know that manual gear box oil is THAT difficult to source. Went for a service at French Marque last weekend, they have the correct manual gearbox oil, BV75W-80. But it's even more expensive than what you paid at Citroen la, I paid RM138.30 for 2L of it.

My206GTi said...

Aisheh bro, I got write in the blog you can get from Tony for around RM80.

You can source for Total version too, suppose it's cheaper?

Unknown said...

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Gear Oil | High Temperature Greases | Rust preventive oil