auto slipping?

Chamelion · 14-05-2008, 01:55 AM

Hello, I had to do a bit of driving today and whilst doing so I noticed a concerning issue.
As I was 'taking off' from the lights or in a car park the car wouldn't respond for a split second and all of a sudden it sort of banged into gear and I was on my way. My 7.5yo daughter noticed it too, as did my wife.

I have noticed that there seems to be a leak past some sort of seal on one side of the gearbox. It's a round looking peice just above the auto pan. I also added a transmission cooler a couple of months ago and did lose a smiggin of transmission fluid in the process.

Is this likely to be a simple set of fixes?

Cheers

Matt.

PS: Whilst stationary and in gear (my foot on the stop pedal, obviously) there is a vibrating rattle like sound... Any specific ideas?

V8falcons · 14-05-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chamelion

Hello, I had to do a bit of driving today and whilst doing so I noticed a concerning issue.
As I was 'taking off' from the lights or in a car park the car wouldn't respond for a split second and all of a sudden it sort of banged into gear and I was on my way. My 7.5yo daughter noticed it too, as did my wife.

I have noticed that there seems to be a leak past some sort of seal on one side of the gearbox. It's a round looking peice just above the auto pan. I also added a transmission cooler a couple of months ago and did lose a smiggin of transmission fluid in the process.

Is this likely to be a simple set of fixes?

Cheers

Matt.

PS: Whilst stationary and in gear (my foot on the stop pedal, obviously) there is a vibrating rattle like sound... Any specific ideas?

matt

Top up your fluid level first,get that leaks repaired.Sounds like your having a run of bad luck with that thing.....

89.SVO · 14-05-2008, 07:02 AM

well if you knew you lost auto fluid you should've topped it up. and you know you have a leaking seal so fix it

Chamelion · 14-05-2008, 12:48 PM

I've circled where the leak seems to be coming from.

Chamelion · 14-05-2008, 01:43 PM

Ok, here is the thing... I just checked it out. There is defnitly resiude around that seal and there is definitly 'fluid' along the pan gasket (auto last serviced only a couple of months ago) and even a little on then exhaust 'hanger'... However, it doesn't seem like it's anything other than engine oil. But I'll be buggered if I can trace it back further than the seal I circled.

The issue I initially reported manifested itself whilst stationary today, box in D, foot on brake as I was sitting at the lights. The sensation from the drivers seat is hard to explain.. Best I can come up with is that it felt almost as if the drive disengaged then reengaged very quickly.

I also have some nother issues.. When I'm stationary and the vehicle is in drive (engine idling and my foot on the brake) the car has a slight shake and there is an audible rattle coming from somewhere. I can't for the life of me work out where except that it seems to be coming from the rear of the engine...

I've also got a ticking/tapping sound coming from what sounds to be cyl 4, 5 or 6. It matches the revs, but isn't always there. It sometimes seems worse when running LPG, but that could be placebo.

I want to be clear that I intend on getting it looked at, but I'm a bit stumped as to where to go first. General mechanic or a transmission specialist.

It does seem I've bought a lemon (thanks Smithy's mechanical for your top pre purchase inspection!?!?!?)... Unfortunately I'm stuck with it as we're not near cashed up enough to replace it.

Cheers,

Matt.

89.SVO · 14-05-2008, 06:32 PM

wheres your gas converter? and have you even bothered adding some ATF?

Chamelion · 14-05-2008, 10:35 PM

http://it.pwns2b.us/ghoaty/prawned/lpg1.jpg

My engine bay.

I havn't yet been able to put any ATF in as my tailpipe keeps hitting my ramps and pushing it out of the way. If I check it with the front up then I'm not likely to get it completely full.

Bit of a bugger.

T-Pak Addict · 14-05-2008, 10:51 PM

dont wont to concern you but does it kinda sound like the cat convertor has a loose baffle?????

ring gear may be loose..... this happened to my sons EL I6.....
needed to have the ring gear replaced and new bolts fitted.... not happy Jan!!!

Chamelion · 14-05-2008, 11:58 PM

Cat converter sounds plausible for the noise. I don't hear anything if I get it a 'tap', but the entire thing was loose on the exhaust headers not long back and the rattle was quite a bit worse. Maybe that caused it to bugger up?

As for the auto.. It would be bloody typical if it ate*#$%. My camry's box died a 13 months ago. :(

What's the ring gear going to cost you? If you don't mind me asking.

Cheers,

Matt.

89.SVO · 15-05-2008, 06:50 AM

you can add ATF from the dip stick in the engine bay.

T-Pak Addict · 15-05-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EB S-pac

you can add ATF from the dip stick in the engine bay.

not from EL onwards you cant.... they dont have one

fordon · 15-05-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU Falcon 99

not from EL onwards you cant.... they dont have one

think his still on the E's

89.SVO · 15-05-2008, 06:36 PM

oh what? stupid sealed for life crap. makes situations like this

Chamelion · 15-05-2008, 06:57 PM

There is a filler hole on the drivers side of the box. Drainage is done by simply removing the pan, or at least loosening it.

I'm fairly sure the previous owners had the box serviced as I can't immagine my ATF having any red pigment left after 156,000km it that wasn't the case. At any rate, I've had it serviced one already a few months ago, but I was having zero problems back then.

At any rate, I'll call the auto mob tommorow and line the car up for a looksee. Unfortunately I'll have to take the risk in driving it in the meantime.

I should note that when picking up my daughter from school today it didn't do it at all. However, the TC lockup was unlocking for no apparent reason occasionally. My symptoms do seem to indicate low fluid levels, but hopefully nothing worse.

Matt.

89.SVO · 15-05-2008, 08:03 PM

i'd top it up yourself before you fry the thing. then you'll be up for a new auto

Chamelion · 15-05-2008, 08:12 PM

I'll give it a shot tommorow, but it's kinda hard to get to the filler hole without removing the exhaust and I certainly won't have enough room under the car to do that.

Matt.

T-Pak Addict · 15-05-2008, 08:24 PM

Just finished doing mine, oh joy what a fun job that was.......
that filler plug is just accessable thanks to extractors and the son holding the hose in while I fill the bugger up.....

A job made a little harder cos I had to do the extension housing seal too

kcej · 15-05-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chamelion

If I check it with the front up then I'm not likely to get it completely full.

My EL had a leak.....after a while I could fill it standing on flat ground without a jack (blindfolded, lol)

But if you buy 1.5 metres of clear hose that fits IN the filler hole but OVER the spout on a one litre empty ATF container with the bottom cut out (use this like a funnel) You can jack it up if you need to to undo the bolt and put the hose in. when hose is in, drop the car back down to level and fill the upside down container with ATF. I'd tape the container high on the door for maximum feed, higher the better, then lie beside the car to watch for overflow dripping. Once it drips (runs out) either pull the hose out or lower the container. Either way, fluid is now level with filler and car can now be jacked up this side again to replace plug bolt if necessary. But after about the tenth time you can do it without a jack and blindfolded.

Chamelion · 19-05-2008, 04:00 PM

Just a thought (no I've not been able to do much about it as yet), as it's happened a fair bit less since adjusting my LPG tune a little.

Let me start again... the day after my last post I had a backfire (LPG) and then again the day after that, so I made some alterations to my LPG tune and it's only happened a couple of times since but in a much much minor fassion.

I've since placed the car back on petrol and it hasn't happened at all yet, not even remotely.

Is it possible that a cut in the fuel would cause the box to disengage the gear or some such, only to reengaged it the moment fuel cuts back in?

Cheers,

Matt.

bodes-sh · 19-05-2008, 08:56 PM

not really, if it had a big enough misfire it may feel like it i guess, unless some wire has been cut that shouldn't have been and it's causing issues with the trans when on lpg. the only thing that comes to mind is the injector cut wiring that cuts out the petrol injectors....

blackers10 · 19-05-2008, 10:28 PM

just a thought guys
but those with external trans coolers
couldnt you undo the top line and slide under the car and remove the filler bolt then just fill up the trans from the trans cooler line?(so it fills the trans not the cooler)

definatly sounds like low fluid tho mate

the seal could be an issue..
but temporarily refilling the box will save you ruining the box (the filler plug overflows when the box is at the correct fluid level)

also the sound around the rear cylinders could just be the extractors needing tightening due to the exhaust pipe hanging as you said

Chamelion · 20-05-2008, 03:57 PM

I'm near convinced it's LPG related after driving it this afternoon (perhaps ignition, I thought I noticed something very minor when on petrol, but that may have been placebo). I was driving on LPG and upon taking off from the lights I felt a slight hint of missfire. So the next time I took off I gave it a little bit more GO pedal and I got an almighty backfire that cut the engine out. Thankfully upon inspection there seems to be no damage.

I took 3 of my plugs out and noticed that they're all showing signs of having been run rather lean. Being only 3 months/5,000km old they certainly look ready for retirement.

I'm running it on ULP until tommorow when the car goes back to the LPG place for a checkup. I'll take some fresh plugs along just in case the current ones are the cause. I'll leave them in so they can test them I suppose.

Blackers - Good point about the auto. I'll attack that Thursday or Friday, sooner if I find the time somehow. At least then I can be sure. I did try to get the filler bolt off today but it's on fsking tight! :O

T-Pak Addict · 20-05-2008, 04:39 PM

what plugs you using in the AU???
I use NGK BP6EY gapped to .9mm suit the LPG better

Chamelion · 20-05-2008, 05:07 PM

NGK ZGR6B11 (1.1mm gap)

Matt.

T-Pak Addict · 20-05-2008, 11:35 PM

run it at .9 and you will get less missfires

Chamelion · 21-05-2008, 02:08 PM

Car went in to the LPG place today and was diagnosed with a faulty coil pack. I've got to run on petrol (, petrol is expensive :() until the coil pack is replaced.

Going to see if I can do it myself cheaper than the $230 I was quoted... Whilst not a devastating ammount to pay it'll still sting.

Going to get the car up on the ramps to check the auto fluid tommorow.

Matt.

Chamelion · 21-05-2008, 02:33 PM

Pretty sure I can manage changing it myself. Best price I've found is $145 for a new coil pack. Hoping for a bit less, but I guess $145 is better than $230.

Matt.

blackers10 · 21-05-2008, 05:22 PM

chamelion ring coventrys.. they are essentially liquidating at the moment..
so you could get a REAL good price

Chamelion · 21-05-2008, 05:24 PM

None near me that I can find. :(

blackers10 · 21-05-2008, 05:27 PM

even with couriers charge on top you should be sweet
they stock ACA and Bosch stuff