Loud clicking noise when change the gear to and from Reverse

I have just bought a used 2003 Citroen C3 1.6 Manual & Automatic Petrol. The car is in good condition and the engine is superb. The transmission is great. But there's clicking sound/noise whenever the gear is changed to or from Reverse (R). There is no problem changing the gear but the sound is quite noticeable and Im worried. I went to a mechanic and he said that the sound is normal for a C3 and not to worry. I am still worried. He did mention something about the actuator that cause the noise but he insisted it's normal. So fellow C3-ians, is it normal to have this clicking sound when change the gear to or from Reverse? Should I be worried or just ignore it??

Hi mart_joy123

mart_joy123 wrote:I have just bought a used 2003 Citroen C3 1.6 Manual & Automatic Petrol.

Its called sensodrive

mart_joy123 wrote:But there's clicking sound/noise whenever the gear is changed to or from Reverse (R). There is no problem changing the gear but the sound is quite noticeable and Im worried.

The sensodrive gearbox is fitted to other Citroen models, have a listen to the youtube, is it the same sound?

Yes the sound is similar. Only the first part when the gear is changed. I've read the comment on that You Tube video saying it's normal, the sound is from the actuator working out. what do you think?

mart_joy123 wrote:Yes the sound is similar. Only the first part when the gear is changed. I've read the comment on that You Tube video saying it's normal, the sound is from the actuator working out. what do you think?

It does like a mechanical part that is not as close to specification as it was. A bit of play or something a bit stiff, giving rise to the noise.

There are two actuators on the sensodrive box. The clutch actuator, gives plenty of trouble and is thoroughly misunderstood and the other is the gear selection actuator. It is probably the gear selector as it only happens in a single gear.

Maybe it just needs stripping out and lubricating?

Thanks man. Appreciate that. I couldn't find the location of the transmission oil. Plus, what kind of oil do u recommend?

mart_joy123 wrote:Thanks man. Appreciate that. I couldn't find the location of the transmission oil. Plus, what kind of oil do u recommend?

Not a problem.

Oil is This - Total Transmission Gear 8 75W80 (click here) for the sensodrive.

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There is a Valvoline equivalent 75w80 gear oil at euro car parts in 1 litre containers, currently at a very good price

You will need 2 litres of gear oil. Its best to have some spare in case of spillage


There is a post here with the sensodrive oil fill and drain points shown
https://citroenc3owners.com/c3-automatic ... -t903.html


Total Transmission Gear 8 75W80 is the new name for Total Transmission BV 75w80

wow. you're super helpful. anyway im in malaysia will try to find it here. i will let you know once i changed the oil and see if the noise gone. hopefully it will.

mart_joy123 wrote:wow. you're super helpful. anyway im in malaysia will try to find it here. i will let you know once i changed the oil and see if the noise gone. hopefully it will.

I don't think it will make a difference to your noise.

The Gear selector and clutch actuator are not lubricated by the gearbox oil. But an oil change never did a gearbox any harm.

Your sensodrive is a standard MA gearbox but its has some extra parts bolted on to activate the clutch and select the gear under computer control. You will probably need to repair these parts, rather than the actual internal parts of the MA gearbox because the MA box is not known to make these noises.

Normal I get that all the time a loud click when engaging reverse

Hi I getting a clicking sound just as you brake at the light. I have determined that it is the gear box as it happens on the transition from 2nd to 1st gear on the auto gear box of my citroen c3 airdream. It sounds like a click. Do you think its a problem?, as I may get it checked out.

cheers

alex