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Topic: Autobox query (Read 600 times) |
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Jonnycab
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Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Autobox query
« on: Apr 8th, 2006, 9:50pm » |
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I've had my 2.3 '98 Ultima for two months now. When I bought it the autobox oil was reddish. I've just checked it again & it is a very light brown. It still smells like gearbox/power steering oil (not burnt). Would it be a good idea to change it pronto or is the damage already done?
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nuttyscorp
Full Member
1998 (R) 2.3 ultima
Posts: 515
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #1 on: Apr 8th, 2006, 10:22pm » |
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if the box is still performing as it should, then highly unlikely damage has been done at this point, however, the colour change suggests the oil has seen better days, to be on the safe side, change it at your earliest convenience (not very urgent, but needs replacing) in the meantime, avoid heavy acceleration (particularly redlining!)
hth
Russ
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project car :- "84" mk2 granada 2.8i ghia X TURBO (rs 500 box)
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Jonnycab
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Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #2 on: Apr 8th, 2006, 10:30pm » |
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Thanks nuttyscorp for the advice.
The gearbox seems fine at the moment, but to avoid any future problems I think I will change it sooner rather than later.
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nuttyscorp
Full Member
1998 (R) 2.3 ultima
Posts: 515
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #3 on: Apr 8th, 2006, 10:35pm » |
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.......be sure to change the panel filter, as well as the oil.
Russ
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project car :- "84" mk2 granada 2.8i ghia X TURBO (rs 500 box)
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #4 on: Apr 8th, 2006, 10:42pm » |
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Sure thing boss.
Would it be a good idea to put a new gasket on, or if the old one seems fine & intact, just leave it?
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Dave
Senior Member
Tourmallard 24v (ex-owner)
Posts: 1984
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #5 on: Apr 9th, 2006, 12:04pm » |
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Personally, I would put a new gasket on, mine was leaking so it can happen. Makes sense to do it all at once 
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Life after the Scorpio ain't easy..
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nuttyscorp
Full Member
1998 (R) 2.3 ultima
Posts: 515
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #6 on: Apr 9th, 2006, 7:16pm » |
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i changed my gasket, and the two o rings to go on the panel filter too, like Dave said, while its off.......
Russ
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project car :- "84" mk2 granada 2.8i ghia X TURBO (rs 500 box)
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Matt
Senior Member
Manual'd and a 4.0 in the making
Posts: 2816
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #7 on: Apr 10th, 2006, 7:51pm » |
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hey
thanks jonnycab for starting this post !
my scorps ('98 cossie) got exactly the same with light brown oil but still smells mineraly (no black bits thankfully) any recomendations on what oil use?
matt
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FDS2000 Scans - Birmingham
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Dave
Senior Member
Tourmallard 24v (ex-owner)
Posts: 1984
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #8 on: Apr 11th, 2006, 9:33am » |
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I used Comma Dexron III on my 1996 24v
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #9 on: Apr 23rd, 2006, 2:35am » |
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A knowledgable friend of mine has informed me that the reason the gearbox oil is light brown is because there is water in it, leaking from the rad cooler pipes that run into the gearbox. Gearbox is behaving fine....but slightly worried about the oil colour.
Thinking about changing the oil, but also thinking is it worth it?
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sector-9
Senior Member
No scorpio anymore
Posts: 1069
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #10 on: Apr 23rd, 2006, 12:54pm » |
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Don't forget that when you change the gearbox oil you're only replacing that which has drained into the sump. There will still be several litres of old oil in the torque converter, oil cooler, etc. The old 3-speed C3 transmissions as used on early Sierras had a drain plug on the torque converter but I don't think the one on the A4LD does.
Could take several oil changes and runs before you manage to replace all the old oil. I wouldn't have thought that the oil went brown because of water leaking into it and in any case, I'd expect other symptoms (such as mysterious coolant loss, gear oil level rising, etc.)
Darren
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david_molloy
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I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 172
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #11 on: Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:48pm » |
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Hello there
Changed my filter & needed shorter bolt to hold new one.
Appears that recess depth been made deeper.
Forcing original bolt tight could be disasterous sheared bolt swyndrome.
I used AMSOIL fully synthetic - not cheap - but good stuff
david
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #12 on: Apr 26th, 2006, 12:00am » |
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Spoke to a gear box specialist today, & he did confirm that the gasket & pan filter has to be replaced. He does know A4LDE box, & assures me that he has done these before.
He says that after he's taken the sump off, he will let it drain for two hours to get the oil out. But says that you will only get 90% of the oil out.
He quoted me £120 +vat......is that good?
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sector-9
Senior Member
No scorpio anymore
Posts: 1069
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #13 on: Apr 26th, 2006, 9:50pm » |
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Don't know how good the price is - assume it is 2x £60/hr but for that price I'd attempt it myself (though I think it is probably the going rate). You may be able to get some more of the old oil out by disconnecting and blowing low-pressure air through the cooler pipes to force oil out of that. If you wanted to be really thorough you could remove the gearbox and drain the torque converter - but that's taking things to the extreme unless the gearbox has to come out anyway!
Darren
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Dave
Senior Member
Tourmallard 24v (ex-owner)
Posts: 1984
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Re: Autobox query
« Reply #14 on: Apr 27th, 2006, 10:42am » |
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I paid about £60 IIRC but I bought all the parts myself, the £60 was for labour. Gearbox oil filter and sump gasket were just under £30 from Ford. Oil was £20 per 5 litres of Comma Dexron III.
So that price is about right
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