Guys,

 

I could really do with some help here.

 

About a month back my auto box gave out. I was getting drive for a few seconds after startup, then it dropped out and wouldn't engage with any gear selection. It appears one or more of the clutches had disintegrated and clogged up the tranny oil filter (falling away when the engine was switched off). I spoke to several garages about this and they agreed (independantly) that it is a fairly common problem and a soft rebuild was about the only option. After some consideration I took my car to Mister Transmission in Charlton and they appeared to do a good job for £1500. However, within about 500 miles it lost 3rd gear. Mister Transmission were very ood about it; they took it back for repair with no quibbles. The fault was, I was told, down to a very rare problem with the valve body; one of the aluminium channel plugs and blown out and the valve it was meant to hold in was dangling around in the box. This is feasible; I can accept these things happen. However, about 700 miles later, in Sheffield this weekend, the box gave way again. This time it is the original problem back; I'm getting drive for a few seconds after startup then it's fading away again. Once again, Mister Transmission are happy to take the car back but here's the issue. I am a bit concerned it may be an underlying problem, as are the garage. My arguments (and theirs) are:

 

1) the garage seems pretty reputable; they have a lot of professional kit and they are happy to take the car back under warranty.

 

2) assuming the garage is not trying to rip me off (unlikely considering point 1) and they aren't a complete bunch of muppets (again, unlikely considering point 1) then it seems strange that clutches within the gearbox would fail so soon.

 

If it is an uderlying problem the garage could charge me again for fixing the box; if it isn't they COULD still claim it is (I'm not suggesting they have been anything other than honest and professional so far but it's still a concern for me); in either case it's another £1500 I haven't got.

 

 

Do any of you have any ideas if anything is likely to cause this sort of problem? Maybe it is just a freaky coincidence? A bit about the car: it is a late 92 built UK spec, registered as 93L. It is a twin turbo, auto (obviously!) and apart from Mongoose catback exhaust system, fitted on Saturday by Luke from the Z-Centre, is completely standard. The engine is in great condition and as far as I can tell, all four wheels are still round. I think the shocks are on the way out and the front right tension rod bush is knackered so there may be a bit more vibration than normal, but it certainly isn't excessive. I really can't think of anything else that would affect the transmission so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

James.

I hope Mr. Transmission also replaced the radiator or installed a new additional oilcooler.

When the automatic transmission seizes, it clogs up the stock oilcooler (which is built into the radiator).

Unsufficient oilcooling is the main reason Mr. Zed eats autoboxes.

 

-Eric

 

[This message has been edited by lymon (edited 13-05-2002).]

The guy who was working on the car volunteered the same information about the oil cooler so he's obviously aware of the problem. After the repair he said the one on mine was better than the others he'd seen so he'd not replaced it but he did say he'd flushed the system out before fitting the new one. This should be OK?

 

[This message has been edited by JamesP (edited 13-05-2002).]

Well...what do they reckon causes the transmission to go 2 times in a row within 1000 miles ?

Either they didn't do a very good job...or it is due to overheating, caused by a blocked cooler or pipe to the cooler...

The overheating problem can be tested fairly simple by (temporarily) installing an oiltemp gauge on the gearbox and go for a long testdrive.