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        General >> Problems >> Autobox query
        
(Message started by: jonnycab on Apr 8^th, 2006, 9:50pm)

Title: Autobox query
Post by jonnycab on Apr 8^th, 2006, 9:50pm

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?

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by nuttyscorp on Apr 8^th, 2006, 10:22pm

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

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by jonnycab on Apr 8^th, 2006, 10:30pm

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.

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by nuttyscorp on Apr 8^th, 2006, 10:35pm

.......be sure to change the panel filter, as well as the oil.

Russ

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by jonnycab on Apr 8^th, 2006, 10:42pm

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?

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by Dave on Apr 9^th, 2006, 12:04pm

Personally, I would put a new gasket on, mine was leaking so it can happen. Makes sense to do it all at once :)

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by nuttyscorp on Apr 9^th, 2006, 7:16pm

i changed my gasket, and the two o rings to go on the panel filter too, like Dave said, while its off.......

Russ

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by Matt on Apr 10^th, 2006, 7:51pm

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

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by Dave on Apr 11^th, 2006, 9:33am

I used Comma Dexron III on my 1996 24v :)

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by jonnycab on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 2:35am

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?

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by sector-9 on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 12:54pm

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

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by david_molloy on Apr 23^rd, 2006, 11:48pm

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

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by jonnycab on Apr 26^th, 2006, 12:00am

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?

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by sector-9 on Apr 26^th, 2006, 9:50pm

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

Title: Re: Autobox query
Post by Dave on Apr 27^th, 2006, 10:42am

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 :)