Citroën GS: gearbox repair and maintenance

Some mechanical problems marred the commercial success of the Citroën GS, particularly on the first models to leave the factory until 1972. The standard four-speed manual gearboxas well as the three-speed automatic available as an option, did not escape technical problems.

How do you look after the transmission system on your Citroën GS? EDEN BOITES explains it all in this article!

Daily vigilance for a healthy gearbox

Be alert to the first signs of failure

It's important to be vigilant and spot any unusual gearbox-related signals: the sooner you deal with them the less serious the damage to the transmission system.

These signs may occur alone, or in combination. In all cases, be precise in your observation, both as to what they are and when they occur. Squeaks, squeaks and rattles usually indicate very different problems. very different problems. In the same way, a noise made when engaging reverse gear does not always have the same origin a similar noise in neutral.

So pay particularly attentive to the following :

• Various noises, especially when operating the gear lever;
• Burning smell in the cabin ; 
• Oil leaks under the vehicle;
• Gears that skip or refuse to engage ;
• Excessive cabin vibration ;
• General decline in performance.

By recording these symptoms and reporting them to your mechanic, you will help him to make a diagnosis more easily.

Changing the gearbox oil: an essential operation not to be neglected

Also known as transmission oil and sometimes confused with engine oil, even though it has entirely different properties, gearbox oil is essential to the smooth running of your Citroën GS..

Its role is to ensure proper lubrication of the parts that make it up, while dissipating the heat accumulated during driving. Over time, however, it becomes loaded with metal residues, compromising its effectiveness. Furthermore first-generation Citroën GS gearboxes suffer from a widespread problem linked to the tightness of the seals. As your car is prone to leaks, it needs to be regularly inspected to ensure that the right amount of gearbox oil is in it..

Given the age of our models, frequent oil changes are essential. Depending on the state of deterioration of the oil, which can be identified by its blackness, you should expect to change it every 30,000 km to 40,000 km.

Simple gestures to adopt

A number of simple steps can be taken to maximize the life of your gearbox.

Keeping your hand on the gearshift lever while driving is a bad habit to break. This simple unnecessary pressure brings the gearbox's internal components into contact, which then wear prematurely through friction.

In a similar way, prefer to shift into neutral rather than remaining in first gear, with the clutch pedal depressed, during short stops such as red lights. You'll relieve the clutch system, and your foot at the same time!

Finally, whenever possible, anticipate the road ahead as much as possible so as to downshift without skipping a gear. This maneuver will spare your sprockets and prevent wear.

What to do in the event of a breakdown

The most common malfunctions

A gearbox breakdown doesn't necessarily mean it's out of action for good. Sometimes a gearbox oil change is all it takes to give it a second lease of life. The transmission system is also made up of numerous wear parts, to be replaced when they have deteriorated too much.

These are minor operations. Although it's always advisable to ask for several quotes from different garages before proceeding with repairs, their cost should be modest.

Savings without compromising on quality

While most problems can be solved by the mechanic, some cases of wear are too advanced. If your Citroën GS is affected, the mechanic will have no choice but to proceed with complete replacement of the transmission system.

As the Citroën GS is an old car, finding a new box is impossible. For similar reasons, the second-hand market is to be avoided: without the possibility of testing the product you are buying, you have no guarantee that it will work until you've had the new gearbox installed.

Our service makes your life easier: if you can't find the gearbox you need in our online catalog, we'll collect your existing gearbox. Following a rigorous quality protocol, we dismantle it piece by piece, before thoroughly cleaning it and replacing any components no longer in use. Your box then undergoes a series of checks before receiving a twelve-month warranty.

Contact one of our advisors by phone or use our online form : it's fast and without obligation !