Changing Auto Gearbox Oil

[thornebt]

Some weeks ago I went through some floodwater. Not something I would usually do but there was flooding all over the lanes in that area and I didn't know my way around. The following day the auto gearbox was a bit juddery when changing gear sometimes. This has continued since - sometimes it changes perfectly smoothly and it's sometimes juddery. It seems likely that water has entered the gearbox through a breather vent or similar. I have removed the gearbox filler cap which seems to have some emulsification inside (greyish / creamy colour inside cap). I tried to get a suction pipe in to extract some oil but it wouldn't go in far enough.

I now have several choices. I can put up with it until I change the car and hope it doesn't get worse. I could take the car to Peugeot or an auto gearbox specialist. Or I can change the oil myself in the hope that it cures or improves the situation. Changing the gearbox oil myself strikes me as a good start as I can always take it to Peugeot / auto gearbox specialist if it doesn't improve. I read somewhere on the web that the only cure is a stripdown but I would part exchange the car for a newer model rather than spend thousands having the gearbox stripped!

At least by changing the oil I will remove some of the water from the oil even if some still remains. The attached photo shows what I believe must be the drain plug - there is a torx bolt in the centre which I guess is the overflow tube once the oil reaches the correct level. The drain plug has a large female hexagon. The filler cap is marked 'AW1 Oil'. This doesn't seem to be widely available although I did find some on Ebay at £15 / litre.

I'm hoping someone might be able to answer some of these questions:

1. Am I correct that the drain plug is correctly identified - and that the torx bolt in the centre is the gearbox level tube?

2. Can anyone recommend an equivalent to AW1 oil?

3. Are there any known issues with changing the gearbox oil and checking the correct level? e.g. does it have to be re-checked after a number of miles with the gearbox hot / cold?

I've got the Peugeot Service Box software but am having problems getting it to work!

Thanks everyone. Cheers. Bruce.

 

[tianorth]

From what I've seen on things like wheeler dealer there is also a filter in the bottom of the box.
So might be worthwhile finding out if there is a filter to change as well.
If water is in there it might be worthwhile doing 2 changes to make sure all water is taken out.

 

[thornebt]

Thanks Tianorth. Hopefully someone might be able to confirm if there's a filter in the gearbox. The idea of changing the oil twice is an excellent idea as it will flush a bit more moisture out. I've found an ATF which is supposed to be equivalent to AW1 - it's Carlube ATF-LV and it's £8.34 / litre from GSF with freepost. Not sure how much I will need yet.

 

[thornebt]

I've managed to get my Peugeot Service Box software working again! It states the procedure for changing the gearbox oil. It's only a partial change as there are seven litres and only about three litres will drain out! So I can improve the quality of the oil but that is about all. If I do more than one change it should gradually improve the quality of the oil further. I think I'm going to do one oil change and see if I notice any improvement. If so, a further change may follow.

 

[thornebt]

I just thought I would post an update on this thread. After two oil changes (in which less than three litres drained each time) the gearchange is now perfect - no hint of a judder. Clearly the oil quality must be much improved as a result of the partial changes. Peugeot say the gearbox oil never needs to be changed (which seems slightly bizarre) but I'm sure I read somewhere that the same Aisen Warner auto gearbox is used in some Fords and they recommend changing it every 30k.

Anyway, if anyone fancies changing their auto gearbox oil (or at least some of it!) then it's an easy job if you follow the Peugeot Service Box instructions.

 

[Anonymous]

I just thought I would post an update on this thread. After two oil changes (in which less than three litres drained each time) the gearchange is now perfect - no hint of a judder. Clearly the oil quality must be much improved as a result of the partial changes. Peugeot say the gearbox oil never needs to be changed (which seems slightly bizarre) but I'm sure I read somewhere that the same Aisen Warner auto gearbox is used in some Fords and they recommend changing it every 30k.

Anyway, if anyone fancies changing their auto gearbox oil (or at least some of it!) then it's an easy job if you follow the Peugeot Service Box instructions.

Glad you got it sorted! Did you do the two changes, or just the one?

Any chance you could share the process please?

 

[DKZ5745]

Great result. Glad it's all sorted :thumbup:

 

[RCZ-R]

... Peugeot say the gearbox oil never needs to be changed (which seems slightly bizarre) but I'm sure I read somewhere that the same Aisen Warner auto gearbox is used in some Fords and they recommend changing it every 30k...

almost all of car producers claim the oil in the box is lifetime fill. but this can become very expensive for the owner as soon as the car gets past the warranty time.
each and every box needs an oil change. how often, it depends on the box. but every 30k sounds just as good.
auto boxes should also be treated with box filter change at least every second oil change. this is very important for the lifetime of the auto box.

manual boxes also should be treated with oil change. I for myself am going to "force" my dealer to change the oil on my R box at about 50k latest.

 

[thornebt]

I just thought I would post an update on this thread. After two oil changes (in which less than three litres drained each time) the gearchange is now perfect - no hint of a judder. Clearly the oil quality must be much improved as a result of the partial changes. Peugeot say the gearbox oil never needs to be changed (which seems slightly bizarre) but I'm sure I read somewhere that the same Aisen Warner auto gearbox is used in some Fords and they recommend changing it every 30k.

Anyway, if anyone fancies changing their auto gearbox oil (or at least some of it!) then it's an easy job if you follow the Peugeot Service Box instructions.

Glad you got it sorted! Did you do the two changes, or just the one?

Any chance you could share the process please?

To change the oil you just drive the car to get the transmission fully warmed up. Remove the oil filler plug in top of gearbox housing - easily identified as the top is coloured pink and it is a torx bolt. Then remove the oil level torx bolt in the centre of the drain plug - as shown in photo above. This enables you to use a 17mm hexagon wrench to remove the drain plug. A wrench is easily made from a 17mm head bolt with two nuts. After the oil has drained refit the drain plug and fill with the correct oil (I used Carlube ATF-LV) until oil drains out of the hole in the centre of the drain plug. The drain plug has a plastic vertical tube about 3" - 4" long through which oil drains when it reaches the correct level. Then fit the small torx bolt in the centre of the drain plug and add another half a litre before refitting the filler plug. Run the car for a short while whilst running through the gears with the selector and foot firmly on the brake pedal. Remove the centre torx bolt. If there is a stream of oil then wait until it reduces to a steady drip and replace the torx level bolt. The oil level will then be correct. If the oil just drips out add a further half a litre and run through the gear selectors again - so you achieve a stream of oil followed by a steady drip

This is all straightforward enough. The thing that makes it difficult is that the car is so low! So it's easiest to jack it up to get access to the plug, then put it back on the floor so the gearbox is level.

As for the gearbox filter I didn't find any information on it in the Peugeot Service Box software. If there is one and someone can kindly tell me where it is I would like to change it.