Autobox on a HDi

[FarmerPug]

How good are the autoboxes on the 2.0 HDi engines?

I recently got a pup and am thinking of replacing my 607 with an estate either a 406 or Xantia, but have seen a few SE estates with the autobox. Just wondering if the diesels got the same 4HP20 box that the V6s got?

[PeterN]

I have not heard of many problems but personally I wouldn't have one unless you have a real need, partly on fuel efficiency grounds and also because if one fails it will probably write the car off, unless you are prepared to DIY it. I won't run anything now that I can't repair myself or replace it cheaply, pension doesn't run to any more. Auto boxes are dangerous for people of my age

The 8 valve HDI is a brilliant engine, almost bombproof as is the manual gearbox, I,m running two 406 estates and they just don't go wrong.

Peter

[Doggy]

They seem to keep going, but people complain about struggling to get 30 mpg

[Welly]

Traditional Auto boxes that 'slip' by design seem to completely contradict the whole point of the HDi which is to ride the wave of natural torque you get. This 'wasted' torque must lead to heavy fuel use.

As with all slushmatic boxes; fluid and filter changes give better service and less trouble.

[steve_earwig]

Hi Frank! Waives

More modern 'boxes (circa 1990 onwards) have lock up overdrives, which means at motorway speeds they're more economical than manuals. Of course, this means they're crap everywhere else...

Just wondering if the diesels got the same 4HP20 box that the V6s got?

I thought they changed supplier/upgraded across the range Service Box gives nothing away

I don't actually think auto 'boxes suit diesels.

Once again I'm wondering how much of a job it would be to convert an auto to a manual. Apart from the obvious (flywheel, clutch, hydraulics, brake fluid reservoir), would it "just" need a BSI/ECU combo from the bay? I checked the block and crank on SB, they're the same...

[rwb]

Is that the "AL4"?

They need oil changes.

There are uprated valved available for the valve block and a corresponding software update.

[OllieNZ]

Traditional Auto boxes that 'slip' by design seem to completely contradict the whole point of the HDi which is to ride the wave of natural torque you get. This 'wasted' torque must lead to heavy fuel use.

As with all slushmatic boxes; fluid and filter changes give better service and less trouble.

Most torque converters are designed to multiply torque, the more slip the greater the torque multiplication with the greatest multiplication occurring at the "stall speed" .
The issue with this is, the greater the multiplication factor the more heat gets generated and heat is the killer of an auto transmission.
Most auto's run something between a 1.1 and 2.5:1 multiplication factor with lower typically being used on cars and higher on 4x4s, lorry's etc.
I've had auto's in both diesels and petrols and I think performance comes down to how well the manufacturer has matched the converter to the engines characteristics. The shift software also plays a huge part in how the box feels and performs.

[Bailes1992]

I think most torque converter gearboxes are pretty well sorted these days. The only issues you hear of are the new breed of dual clutch or CVT boxes.

I think the best thing you can do with an autobox is regular oil changes. I wouldn't think twice about buying an automatic HDi but I think I would make sure I flushed the box out well before I started throwing miles at it. Assuming they use cheap ATF fluid then I think I would drop the pan, clean out as much of the old oil as possible, swap out the filter and pop it all back together with fresh fluid. Then I would drop the oil and refill every week until it started coming out the same colour as it went in. I think after that yearly changes would suffice.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

O.M.G Bailes,
You've got more money than sense & too much spare time.
But I think the both will change soon enough

The patter of tiny feet

Peter,
I don't wish to offend you but I think that any regular users of this forum know your views on the 406 2.0 hdi
As for Frank,
I don't think there's any thing you can tell him about these car's
outside of any questions he might post.

Just search YouTube for peugeotcitroën2CV, that's Frank's video post's .

[Bailes1992]

Just having a google, the AL4 apparently has a specified oil (Esso LT 71141) however in Australia where the gearbox is quite popular they just use regular ATF. You can get 25 litres of Dexron III oil (enough for 6 oil changes) for £40. Hardly breaking the bank and small price to pay compared to replacing the gearbox or writing the car off with gearbox failure.

[PeterN]

No offence taken. I know I do go on a bit.

Peter

[FarmerPug]

I had a go in a HDi auto over here, it was a tad lethargic, and im driving a 607 at the moment...

Modern autos seem fantastic, my dad has a Mercedes C220 with a 7 speed box which seems to always be in the right gear and its a struggle to get it to do under 50mpg.

A bit of a different thought but seeing as this forum has a Volvo section, i have been in an S80 and V70 both were very comfortable. Tempted by one with a 2.4 diesel, are there any major issues to worry about?

[Welly]

i have been in an S80 and V70 both were very comfortable. Tempted by one with a 2.4 diesel, are there any major issues to worry about?

That's my boy!

Erm, you could have a look on the friendly* volvoforums.org the early D5's are the best bet, the later ones had DPF's and some issues with diesel diluting the oil sump and stuff but to be fair you don't hear of many horror stories either way. The D5 is not 'economical' though for a dizzler.

[Doggy]

A bit of a different thought but seeing as this forum has a Volvo section, i have been in an S80 and V70 both were very comfortable. Tempted by one with a 2.4 diesel, are there any major issues to worry about?

Image.

[steve_earwig]

I saw a Nurseades A klarse yesterday with levver seats and it occurred to me: Isn't that like putting an alloy wheel on a wheelbarrow?[/random]