hymer gearbox (1 Viewer)

enery8

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Can any of you learned gents (or ladies) tell me how one would get the gearbox out of a Citroen engined Hymer 644 please:Blush:

How does one gain access to the engine etc?

Is there somewhere that sells/repairs gearboxes on (or off) older MHs?
 
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Snowbird

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Driveshafts out and pull it out the bottom. I did get one done at the side of the road, but it was in Morocco.
 
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enery8

enery8

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Thanks Dave, I suspected it would have to come out thro' the bottom. Do you know if it would be the same box as the fiat etc?

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Snowbird

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Am not sure, but I would think so. The Citroen engine is the one out of the Citroen CX, with 2 cam belts. I had a good look at mine whilst it was out and it certainly looked the same as the Fiat box. It was a Fiat clutch that was fitted. Its not a job I would relish doing myself now, but they had it out and back in a morning. Whats wrong with the box anyway ?
 
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enery8

enery8

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Dont know, The van is advertised as spares or repairs on preloved. 'Gearbox Broken' It is not far from us so I thought it might be worth a look. He is looking for offers so that is another question really but I want to find out as much as possible before looking at it or making contact.
Here is the URL in case you would be interested in taking a look, I would appreciate your opinion.
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/107003016/hymer-b-644-for-spares-or-repairs.html
 

Snowbird

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Dont know, The van is advertised as spares or repairs on preloved. 'Gearbox Broken' It is not far from us so I thought it might be worth a look. He is looking for offers so that is another question really but I want to find out as much as possible before looking at it or making contact.
Here is the URL in case you would be interested in taking a look, I would appreciate your opinion.
http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/107003016/hymer-b-644-for-spares-or-repairs.html

From the add it sounds like he has spent a shedload of money on it and now something has gone wrong with the gearbox, so he has decided to cut his losses, or his wife has decided for him :winky:.
Its a left hooker so it will be column change so wont have the daft linkages they put on the RHD ones. No smashing your knuckles on the dash.
The main problem with those boxes was they used to jump out of 5th gear on the overrun. Solved by fitting new engine mounts or replacing 5th gear. Replacing 5th gear is an easy fix and can be done in an hour with the box still in place. Try to find out what he means by gearbox broken and come back to me.

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enery8

enery8

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Thanks Dave, I will get on to that straight away. I will come back to you as soon as I have the info.
Bill
 
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enery8

enery8

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message for snowbird

Hi Dave,
I contacted the guy who is selling the hymer and asked him what he means by Gearbox Broken. His reply is below. Please let me know what you think.

'Hello Bill, the gearbox has been to a specialist and the selector, the selector bush and 5th gear all need replacing. At the moment I'm trying to aquire a second hand gearbox from France as there are none for a reasonable price in this country'
 

pappajohn

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Hi Dave,
I contacted the guy who is selling the hymer and asked him what he means by Gearbox Broken. His reply is below. Please let me know what you think.

'Hello Bill, the gearbox has been to a specialist and the selector, the selector bush and 5th gear all need replacing. At the moment I'm trying to aquire a second hand gearbox from France as there are none for a reasonable price in this country'

usual 5th gear problem.

5th gear is outside the main casing, in an extension on the end, so doesnt get enough lubrication.
i believe there is a modification to allow more oil on it.

not a hard job to replace and the box might not have to come out
a google search will bring up many articles regarding doing the work.

I dont think the parts cost is too high either.

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enery8

enery8

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Thank you for the info pappajohn. I will have a look on google to see what is about.
Bill :thumb:
 

Snowbird

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The problem is generally caused by incompetent mechanics. The gearbox has 2 chambers and 2 fillers. The 5th gear sits in a higher place and is splash fed. You have to fill it through the speedo cable entry point. I always drained and refilled with semi synthetic gear oil. PJ is correct in that the 5th gear is always a problem, and this is the reason why. If memory serves me right, take off OS front wheel and there is a plate that can be removed and the 5th gear is behind it. The box was a converted 4 speed, that's why 5th is higher in the box. I have known people take the 5th gear out and turn it round as a quick fix, but although its acceptable as a get you home its not recommended for a permanent fix. If it was me I would enquire what gearbox specialist gave the diagnosis and if it was some back street merchant, bid him silly money as is and chance your arm. Any self respecting mechanic could sort that, let alone a gearbox specialist.
 
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enery8

enery8

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Oct 11, 2012
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towing for 20 odd years but now have our first motorhome.
Having contacted the owner and found out the sort of price he has in mind I have decided not to go any further with it as this was not my first choice van anyway and i have seen similar vans in going order for only a couple of grand more.
So thanks for the advice snowbird and pappajohn. At least I now know another thing to consider when looking at other vans.

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