Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by CitroJim »

souliswinter wrote: 26 Jan 2019, 10:43 Finally, my 4HP20 failed @280,000km after full throttle acceleration up to 170km/h on the highway. Probably failure occurred in the TC, still waiting to be taken apart. ATF leakage could be the cause leading to this failure.


That was not a bad life for an HP20... Some live a little longer but most die before that...

It is critical you have the TC rebuilt along with the gearbox itself... The TC lockup clutch failing is often the cause of the 'box dying...
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by Planetary »

My Fiat ducato has a 4HP20 that failed after 330,000 Km.I am keen to attempt removal and teardown myself if it is possible. I aready have pulled my axles out once before to change an outer CV joint. So the lower ball joint is not an issue. I did receive 2 TCC warnings on my dash and within my software. I was being careful with light driving but actual failure was very sudden.
I know the vehicles are different but any guidance regarding getting this gearbox out would be great. 90 Kg is heavy enough. Anyone here take theirs out, teardown and put back in? Really curious on what best approach is needed to get this out of the vehicle....safely?

90 Kg objects are not the easiest to move about!
This question is more transmission specific. Not sure how much easier this is to get out of a citroen !!??
Anyone done this?
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by CitroJim »

Yes, I've rebuilt several... Not as hard as it seems.

You will need an engine crane to safely lift it and some special tools will be needed, all can be made fairly easily. I wrote up a how-to... I will find the link for you.

Lots of HP20 information on here and a search will find it.

Very happy to answer any specific questions you have...
Last edited by CitroJim on 09 Nov 2020, 14:11, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by Paul-R »

...shine special tools ?

What did you mean to say Jim? Was it autocorrect in action?
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by CitroJim »

Paul-R wrote: 09 Nov 2020, 13:38 ...shine special tools ?

What did you mean to say Jim? Was it autocorrect in action?

Yes, it was Paul :twisted: I made that post on my mobile 'phone as I was away from my laptop... Sorry, I meant 'some special tools...'

Now corrected in the original post :)

Thanks for spotting it :D
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

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We should have a rule where a typo may not be corrected if someone has quoted it, so everyone can point an laugh.
Need some light relief in these Corvid infested times.
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

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myglaren wrote: 09 Nov 2020, 15:22 We should have a rule where a typo may not be corrected if someone has quoted it, so everyone can point an laugh.
Need some light relief in these Corvid infested times.
You may laugh Steve but I've known forums that implemented that exact rule :twisted: One not a million miles from here either... Once upon a time the BXC did just that!

Predictive text can certainly chuck up some howlers when given half a chance :lol:

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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by Paul-R »

If you Google "autocorrect ruined my life" you'll find really funny alterations. Usually on Pinterest it has to be said.
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Re: Life expectancy of a 4HP20 gearbox

Post by GiveMeABreak »

CitroJim wrote: 26 Jan 2019, 16:52
souliswinter wrote: 26 Jan 2019, 10:43 Finally, my 4HP20 failed @280,000km after full throttle acceleration up to 170km/h on the highway. Probably failure occurred in the TC, still waiting to be taken apart. ATF leakage could be the cause leading to this failure.


That was not a bad life for an HP20... Some live a little longer but most die before that...

It is critical you have the TC rebuilt along with the gearbox itself... The TC lockup clutch failing is often the cause of the 'box dying...
Hopefully longer than the BVA4 (4HP18) boxes that were fitted to my XMs. I had one fail in under 50k miles - so had it rebuilt in Swansea - never was quite right after that - very clunky and juddery getting it into drive. Shortly after that a bloody tourist with a massive caravan got lost and decided to stop in a blind single traffic valley track and wrote her off :twisted: The other one started slipping just before that was written off too....
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