THE ROVER SD1 FORUM

JayDeeVDP · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject: update

Aha!

There is a procedure to checking the (automatic) transmission fluid I've just read, the car needs to be driven at least 15miles, then with the engine running, spend about 2 minutes moving the selector slowly through the P-R-N-D-2-1 selector, then (with the engine STILL running) check the fluid level, my dipstick was virtually dry Embarassed

I usually check it stone cold before starting it where the fluid is on MAX, where does it all go? I've just added a litre of transmission fluid, but the dipstick is difficult to read when hot.... Sad

and a long drive has seen the white smoke disappear too Smile

therefore I can only presume good and adequate transmission fluid pressure is needed to allow this valve to work??? Which makes me think, did it really need replacing in the first place (the mechanic did say he's topped up my transmission fluid, and car has been smoke free till now....)

Where does all the fluid go when its hot, and why has my level dropped so significantly in approx 500 miles considering there are NO leaks under the car?

Jay

_________________
Lifelong SD1 fan - 1983 Rover 3500 Vanden Plas

ramon alban · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: update

JayDeeVDP wrote:

Aha!

There is a procedure to checking the (automatic) transmission fluid I've just read, the car needs to be driven at least 15miles, then with the engine running, spend about 2 minutes moving the selector slowly through the P-R-N-D-2-1 selector, then (with the engine STILL running) check the fluid level, my dipstick was virtually dry Embarassed

I usually check it stone cold before starting it where the fluid is on MAX, where does it all go? I've just added a litre of transmission fluid, but the dipstick is difficult to read when hot.... Sad

and a long drive has seen the white smoke disappear too Smile

therefore I can only presume good and adequate transmission fluid pressure is needed to allow this valve to work??? Which makes me think, did it really need replacing in the first place (the mechanic did say he's topped up my transmission fluid, and car has been smoke free till now....)

Where does all the fluid go when its hot, and why has my level dropped so significantly in approx 500 miles considering there are NO leaks under the car?

Jay

Jay, What happens is this. When you are driving along, all the valves and oilways PLUS the Torque Converter fill up with fluid. Under these conditions the fluid measured on the dip stick should be within the max/min marks, but you have to be stationary to measure it!!!

Thats why they specify the procedure outlined above. Moving the stick thro all the gears including reverse makes sure that everything in the box is full of oil just before you measure it.

When you checked the box cold before a drive the fluid had drained out of all the mentioned places and the sump level shows well over "max "on the dipstick. No worries, that's the way they work, but it tells you nothing.

There can be an unwelcome effect of this drain-down of fluid, when the box is correctly filled. The level can rise far enough up the filler/dipstick tube to reach the top-hat seal between the tube and the box and if that seal is not good then the fluid can leak out of the seal all over your exhaust pipes. When that happen you get loads of smoke and smell for the first few miles while the fluid burns off - very unpleasant it is too.

There are also two other seals on an auto box which can leak for the same reason, but much sooner.

If you have leaks, how to deal with all three problems can be seen here:

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End of page 1.

If you run the fluid too low then the torqe converter never gets full enough to transmit power properly and is constantly slipping, more so, depending upon which gear your are in because they use different valves/oilways which causes the level in the box to change and the torque converter to react accordingly. Also the internal clutches and brake bands can burn up.

Stay cheerful - you known you want to!!

Ramon

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JayDeeVDP · Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: autoboxes

Thanks again Ramon, how I've (properly) topped the gearbox up, she's performing brilliantly, to the point it's one of the smoothest autoboxes I've ever owned...

I shall keep a close eye on the level however, in view of what you've said....

In the meantime....

Has anyone got a manual gearbox, gearstick and clutch pedal for sale?

Or a nice ZF four speed autobox?

Jay

_________________
Lifelong SD1 fan - 1983 Rover 3500 Vanden Plas