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        General >> Problems >> 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
        
(Message started by: gdwalker on Apr 18^th, 2009, 6:00pm)

Title: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by gdwalker on Apr 18^th, 2009, 6:00pm

Hi Guys,
Very recently acquired a 1998 2.9L 24V Cosworth Scorpio, automatic.
All forward gears smooth and fine, but initially reverse was very lumpy, now will not reverse at all!! ???
The diff can be seen to take up the slack fine and it sounds like the gear has engaged but the is no reverse drive. When in reverse there is a slight noise best described as scuffing?
Any clues, I'm praying its not a new gear box! I understand there are all kinds of valves and stuff that may cause problems, but really i'm totally at a loss as to the cause.
Any info, particularly if it involves no new gear box will be greatly welcomed.
Regards,
GDWalker

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Apr 18^th, 2009, 7:53pm

First thing to check is the fluid level & colour of the fluid - should be pink / red and not be dark brown or smell like burnt toffee or have any debris in it.

If fluid level is low then you have a leak somewhere and you need to find & fix it asap.
Autoboxes don't like running on low fluid.
If fluid is dark brown / smells like burnt toffee / has debris in it then that is sadly not good news.

Fluid in my own car is a pale brown but it has done 138k now but still works faultlessly.
Mechanic friend reckoned it is not uncommon for the fluid to discolour with age & mileage.

Provided the fluid does not show any bad signs you may benefit from a fluid & filter change.

Secondhand gearboxes can be picked up from under £100 upwards but are a bit on the heavy side so you may want to get a garage to change it.

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by twinturbo on Apr 18^th, 2009, 9:49pm

Quote:

Secondhand gearboxes can be picked up from under £100 upwards

What a brilliant nonsensical statement ::) ::) ::)

I have one currently that's on offer for £20 complete.. If your anywhere near Cumbria ..

TT

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by gdwalker on Apr 19^th, 2009, 12:04am

Thanks for the info guys..
First of all the car has done 101K miles, the autobox fluid was a little low when I picked the car up, but before driving off, was brought fully up to level (checked whilst running), but most important, it was not burnt or have any unpleasant burned smell to it, in fact it was and still is dark red definitely not brown.
The inference from the entries is that the gearbox is kaput!, before i set about locating a new one (Thanks for the offer TT - I'm in Chesterfield :-/) can it be confirmed that the problem is not a hydraulic valve or suchlike thats failed and is therefore not asserting pressure on the drive bands and therefore not a rebuild / recon job?
Regards,
GDWalker

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Tompion on Apr 19^th, 2009, 1:51pm

A scan may be useful to see if there are any fault codes.

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by gdwalker on Apr 19^th, 2009, 3:46pm

I have contacted the countries biggest Autobox rebuilder, used by all the local garages in this area (E.J. Rose in Mansfield) and plan to take the vehicle there for a scan of the codes.
My personal feeling is that a valve or solenoid is snotted up (or maybe i'm clutching at straws) and have made a proviso to trade my old Scorp in for a very recently refurbed complete gearbox and for mechanic to fit whilst doing a full service and timing chain replacement.
If its all done at the same time, the car will be good for some years to come...
Here's hoping...
Regards,
GDWalker

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by gdwalker on Apr 22^nd, 2009, 7:15pm

;D
Spoke to the specialist - he's supremely confident the gearbox is fine, but the gasket in the sump pump solenoid has gone....new one comes tomorrow from Ford, fitting Saturday and hoping for the best of outcomes, big difference in fix cost - £4.84 as opposed to £1300 for recon gearbox...
Fingers crossed...........
Regards,
GDWalker

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on Apr 22^nd, 2009, 7:18pm

Sounds promising :)

Might be worth an oil and filter change while you're in there?

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by gdwalker on Apr 29^th, 2009, 10:48pm

:'( Bah Humbug - and it's not even Christmas..
Changed the solenoid gasket, replaced 3.5L of Dexron, some improvement, in as much as REVERSE will now engage but in its own good time and about 3000 RPM and with a large thump.
Once in reverse, the engine labours to the point of almost stall and if i try to reverse up an incline, she does stall ???
I'm of the opinion that the solenoids and valves are pretty much naff and therefore since I have the chance of a recently reconditions box (6 months ago), I'm of the opinion to have the box swapped.
Thoughts please ??
Also, I know the box is a A4LDE, but does anyone know the Ford part number for a (98 (R) vehicle and approx how long the box takes to change, (no reason for the latter point but my mechanic spanners on rallies and I like to set him a challenge, the last time he changed my Scorp manual box it took him less than 10 mins!) - so glad I pay him by the minute..

Regards,
GDWalker

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on Apr 29^th, 2009, 10:52pm

10 minutes??

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by wojtekor on Apr 29^th, 2009, 11:30pm

10min?}{ }{ }{ }{ }{

!impossible!!! 100 minutes maybe 200 minutes more possible... just lifting the engine for a high qualified specialist is about 45min...

in 10 min he could only change the gear stick/lever :P

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on Apr 30^th, 2009, 6:55am

Only the mighty Guido could do it in ten mins! }{

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izXN3CH-Vig

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by mick_66 on Apr 30^th, 2009, 7:44am

:o I could do with one of them for wojtekor!!!! ;D

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 30^th, 2009, 8:37am

}{ ;D

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by martin_rowe on Apr 30^th, 2009, 8:39am

highlander strikes again, very optomistic. realistic allow 4 to 8 hours, a lot to come off & a lot to break & sort out. lets face it you could spend hours just on the front pipes alone.

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on May 1^st, 2009, 8:37am

on 04/29/09 at 22:48:25, gdwalker wrote:

the last time he changed my Scorp manual box it took him less than 10 mins!) - so glad I pay him by the minute..

Regards,
GDWalker

I wasnt suggesting it could be done in 10 mins Mr Rowe, i was questioning the claim in the previous post ;)

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by scorpio_man on May 1^st, 2009, 8:57am

hi there

i've seen them do on a ford focus rally car. there was 2 or 3 of them and it did take 10 or 12 minutes.

the gearbox itself was tiny! about the size of a boot box.

was great to watch. :)

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by martin_rowe on May 2^nd, 2009, 11:38am

used to do astra / cavalier clutches in 20 mins, but they have changed the design now, thats progress. any more claims like that Andrew & I will be offering you a job. seen you are going to Harewood, i could trailer up a scorpio so I can test you ?. ;)

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on May 2^nd, 2009, 12:02pm

on 05/01/09 at 08:37:23, Highlander wrote:

I wasnt suggesting it could be done in 10 mins Mr Rowe, i was questioning the claim in the previous post ;)

Are you reading these posts Martin?? }{ the 10 minute gearbox change was done my Mr Walkers Mechanic, not me ;)

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by martin_rowe on May 5^th, 2009, 8:45am

got you worried though. ;D

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by Highlander on May 5^th, 2009, 10:02am

You did, I can only do it in 12 mins ;)

Title: Re: 2.9L Cosworth Auto Box Reverse Issue
Post by martin_rowe on May 6^th, 2009, 8:39am

your wife recons on you been much faster.
hope to bump into you at Harewood, though I wont be in a scorpio, gone to the dark side no & drive an S type-R jag, though even that is in the bodyshop at the moment waiting for a door, so transport is now via a new XL soverign so may have to go in that. and its an oil burner.