AM6 autobox fluid change

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
centurus2400
Posts: 109
Joined: 17 Aug 2009, 13:41
Location:
My Cars:
x 3

AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by centurus2400 »

The box on my newly acquired C5 X7 tourer seems to be working perfectly, but in order to hopefully forestall any problems, and after 53000 miles, I've decided to get the fluid changed.
Looking at what is involved, and the fact I have to work outside, I've wimped out of doing it myself and will book it into the local auto box specialist to have the work done.
The quote was a very reasonable £180 all in, including a full health check.

Having seen and read various horror stories about neglected auto boxes I think this is a sensible precaution - especially as I'm going to get it remapped at some stage!
User avatar
mooseshaver
Posts: 886
Joined: 27 Apr 2006, 10:50
Location: Cumbria
My Cars:

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by mooseshaver »

I too want this done but can't find anywhere local to have it done.
Is your place filling it with AW-1 fluid?
C5 III Tourer 2.0 HDi 163 Auto Exclusive
Gone cars.
C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Estate auto 57. Awesome car. Sadly Could not be fixed by Citroen.
C5 1.6 HDi VTR Estate 56. Traded in.
C5 2.2 HDi SX Estate 02. Drowned in the floods of 09.
C3 1.4 HDi 92 SX 52.
Saxo 1.1 East Coast.
centurus2400
Posts: 109
Joined: 17 Aug 2009, 13:41
Location:
My Cars:
x 3

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by centurus2400 »

These guys rebuild auto boxes on the premises and seem very much to know what they are doing, so I'm confident the oil used will be correct type. Sadly they are in Buckinghamshire so not local to Cumbria :-(
The problem with doing it myself is that I don't have any way of getting the car off the ground and level.
I'll report back when the job is done, in a couple of weeks time.
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 138

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by lexi »

That will be a good £180 spent. Ideal at the 50k miles.
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

My experience of the Aisin Warner 6-speed auto box( otherwise known as TF-80SC (AWF21, AF40-6, AM6, AW6A-EL) ) was a very expensive rebuild at 60,000 miles.

I have since done 70,000 miles on the rebuilt box, and touch wood its still working well.

The standard fluid change process will just involve changing 3 ish litres maximum by simply opening the drain plug and refilling to the correct level.

This may well be what you are paying your £180 for.

Some transmission specialists will do a flush and fill requiring about 12-15 litres of fresh fluid, replacing more of the fluid within the torque converter as well.

This will cost well over £180....the fluid alone for the process is likely to cost virtually this amount.

The specification for an AW-1 fluid which is mineral based, may well not be used by your transmission specialist. Its a particular spec for this box, and in general is met only by the "manufacturers" own brand fluid (whether Toyota, GM/opel, SAAB etc...). Their bog standard stuff they use all the time will be some "universal" transmission fluid, probably semi-synthetic or fully synthetic. I would ask the question will you be using a synthetic or semi synthetic ATF for the fluid change. if they say yes its unlikely that they will be going to the bother of ordering in the AW-1 Spec Mineral Oil supposedly required for the AM6 box.

Saying that I do believe that since my rebuild my box has been filled with semi-synthetic ATF, and everything so far has been ok.

regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 138

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by lexi »

This may well be what you are paying your £180 for.
I doubt that. If they are an auto box specialist they will have the charts with every box and fluid type.If is the AISIN then 3308 type fluid is not that expensive and they will have it in bulk. That won't mean that you get it at cheap price but the £180 is a standard price up here at Mackies Transmissions too. That is for a complete change ...........on the machine, so the complete contents are out. So maybe 12 litres at most? By all means ask the questions raised by Neil above. Why not?

I used Millers version of compatible 3308 fluid . I got 10 litres and it was under £40
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

For TF-80SC enthusiasts there are endless discussions on virtually all car forums which use the box in their vehicles.

A lot of the discussions relate to what is the correct fluid to use...this one from a Volvo forum is typical the summary at the end of the day is make your own mind up.

An interesting element from the thread was this "quote"

"every time the oil is changed the "oil counter" MUST be reset - the box is adaptive and needs to know about such things as it makes a huge difference."

My experience of the TF-80SC I have to admit is from Vauxhall Vectra. This is a thread I started on the Vectra-C forum documenting my experiences (you may have to tick the box agreeing to the forum rules to view)

regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
centurus2400
Posts: 109
Joined: 17 Aug 2009, 13:41
Location:
My Cars:
x 3

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by centurus2400 »

So, fluid changed yesterday afternoon. The chap said the old fluid had a slightly metallic paint appearance but that was typical of modern boxes and nothing to worry about.
Gearbox checked out as 100% OK, and he said it actually drove very nicely on the test run, so I'm one happy bunny.

He also said that he would recommend a fluid change on the AM6 every 30,000 miles so I shall certainly adhere to this in future.
Trainman
(Donor 2018)
Posts: 2589
Joined: 21 Aug 2009, 11:58
Location: Penwortham
Lexia Available: Yes
My Cars: 2008 C6 2.7 Exclusive in Mativoire Beige with Vitali Leather.
2019 C5 1.6 Aircross Flair+ in Platinum Grey with Claudia Rimini Leather
2017 1.6HDi Berlingo Van - the works van
x 42
Contact:

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by Trainman »

I know Dave Ashworth in Blackpool has done a number of Gearbox oil changes on C6's not exactly Cumbria, but a bit closer........ contact details https://uk.local.yahoo.com/entity.html; ... 1096400438" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Steve

2008 C6 2.7 Exclusive in Mativoire Beige with Vitali Leather.
2019 C5 1.6 Aircross Flair+ in Platinum Grey with Claudia Rimini Leather

http://c6owners.org/index.php
User avatar
mooseshaver
Posts: 886
Joined: 27 Apr 2006, 10:50
Location: Cumbria
My Cars:

Re: AM6 autobox fluid change

Post by mooseshaver »

Thanks for that. It's certainly possible to travel down. Does it take long to change fluid? Day trip to Blackpool might be interesting
C5 III Tourer 2.0 HDi 163 Auto Exclusive
Gone cars.
C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive Estate auto 57. Awesome car. Sadly Could not be fixed by Citroen.
C5 1.6 HDi VTR Estate 56. Traded in.
C5 2.2 HDi SX Estate 02. Drowned in the floods of 09.
C3 1.4 HDi 92 SX 52.
Saxo 1.1 East Coast.
Post Reply