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        General >> Problems >> To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
        
(Message started by: indefatigable on Nov 13^th, 2010, 7:39pm)

Title: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 13^th, 2010, 7:39pm

Hello Folks
Newbie Here.
I have been reading threads to do with the flashing OD light,mine came on the other day(Wednesday) with no side effects.
Once i stopped and restarted the engine the fault cleared and i returned home from Litchfield to Shardlow near Derby with no problems.
The day before when it rained all day i did drive through a large puddle(small flood) across the road with no problem.
In one of the threads it does say that the gearbox wiring/multi plug,and possibly the drive selector switch could be a possibily.As none of them like water too much in there later years .
In the mean time i was going to change the oil and filter in the box as it does look a bit redy brown, no nasty smell from it .
I contacted a local auto specialist to obtain a filter and gasket,he asked me how many miles the car had done, i said 160K ,he said that it would not be a good idea to change the oil as this might open a whole new can of worms,as he had changed oil in the past on high mileage boxes then a few miles later the box failed,although it worked fine before.
The question is has anyone here changed oil and filter on a box with this sort of mileage on it,and if so were there any nasty side effects.
With regards to the flashing OD light i will monitor it and keep my fingers crossed that it has gone away ::)

Car details R reg 2.3 Gia S Auto Estate.

Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Mike H on Nov 14^th, 2010, 5:53pm

on 11/13/10 at 19:39:49, indefatigable wrote:

he said that it would not be a good idea to change the oil as this might open a whole new can of worms,as he had changed oil in the past on high mileage boxes then a few miles later the box failed,although it worked fine before.

Eh? http://livinginthepast-audioweb.co.uk/images/misc/huh.gif

Oil is oil, not "magic dust"

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Chieftain on Nov 14^th, 2010, 8:14pm

What a strange remark to make :o

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 14^th, 2010, 8:27pm

Hello Mike.
Thanks for the comment,but i was hoping for a more constructive comment,the clue is in the question.
(The question is has anyone here changed oil and filter on a box with this sort of mileage on it,and if so were there any nasty side effects.)
I have worked in Mechanical Handling equipment for over 30 years and am aware of the propertys of oils.
I believe the gearbox man was possibly refering to the possibily of flushing out particals from the box which might actualy be helping a worn part maintain its function.
Many years ago Duchams came out with a green oil that if this was put into an old engine that had been run on say normal Castrol or Esso or Shell oil,it would flush out carbon build up from inside the engine causing the engine to deteriate.
I know this was because the Duchams was a very high detergent oil.
I know if i replaced the trany oil withthe correct oil this in theory would not happen,that is why i asked if anyone had had any problems when changing the oil on a high mileage box.
The gearbox specialist has over 20 years expereince so i have to bow to his advice unless i hear differently.
I am also aware that old oil is not good and it is not good practice to run something mechanical on oil that must have worked very hard for a long period of time.

So again
(The question is has anyone here changed oil and filter on a box with this sort of mileage on it,and if so were there any nasty side effects.)

Thanks
Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 14^th, 2010, 8:33pm

on 11/14/10 at 20:14:59, Chieftain wrote:

What a strange remark to make :o

Thanks Chieftain
I thought it was just me.

I think i might just go with the
"If it aint broke ect.ect"

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by bonnietiler on Nov 14^th, 2010, 8:38pm

Detergency

This is probably the most misunderstood of all commonly used terminology. I've always thought that it's an unfortunate choice of name because it conjures up visions of a powerful cleaning action like some household cleaner, whereas all it actually does is prevent microscopic particles from sticking together and forming the dreaded sludge. It won't dislodge great dollops of the stuff and block up the oil ways as is sometimes claimed and anything small enough to pass through the filter is too small to cause damage to bearings etc.

High detergency is a good thing...honest
Regards
Bonnietiler

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 14^th, 2010, 8:59pm

Hello Bonnietiler

Slightly off my original topic but what the heck,nothing on the tv anyway.

I do agree with you about high detergent oils they do keep engine internals very clean,if the engine was run on the oil from new.
i have experinced diesel engines run 24hours 7 days a week with very regular oil changes , with very clean internals.
I believe the problem with the Duchams was it could clean the disireably carbon build up from around the piston rings on an old engine .This could then slightly lower compression and up crankcase compression.
Having said that it all could just be folk lore,handed down by dodgy mechanics ;D

Cheers
Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Tenfut on Nov 14^th, 2010, 9:04pm

Hi Richard

I changed mine at 93000 and to be honest it doesnt seem to be any different. Just the knowledge that the filter and the oil are new is somewhat comforting. It certainly hasnt developed any adverse symptoms (should I really have said that?) It is an easy enough job if you take your time and follow the site instructions.

Tony

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Tenfut on Nov 14^th, 2010, 9:06pm

Forgot to add now on 101000

Tony

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Tompion on Nov 14^th, 2010, 9:11pm

I changed my auto fluid & filter in 2006 at approx 150,000 miles it’s now done 193,000miles. The oil looked light brown on the dipstick but was really black when drained with a thick layer of crud in the sump. Changing the fluid significantly reduced the lag when selecting reverse. I suspect it may not cure the flashing OD light.

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 14^th, 2010, 9:27pm

Thanks Tenfut and Tompion
At last :D
Constructive input ;)
The flashy light has not returned so far,done about 50miles today.Maybe 150 miles since it flashed just for the last 3mins of the original journey.
I think that i will go with the oil and filter change as i had originaly planned.
My original thought was that new oil should be better than old brocken down contaminated oil.

Fingers crossed ::)
Best Wishes Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by bonnietiler on Nov 15^th, 2010, 12:05am

Ahhhh...the blade was not dull...yet it went deep and was twisted so..... :-[

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 15^th, 2010, 9:25am

[quote author=bonnietiler link=board=Problems;num=1289677190;start=0#11 date=11/15/10 at 00:05:09]Ahhhh...the blade was not dull...yet it went deep and was twisted so..... :-[/quote]

Sorry :-X
I did not mean to be offensive :-*
Best Wishes Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by bonnietiler on Nov 15^th, 2010, 1:50pm

Oh don't worry no offence taken!
;D

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Chieftain on Nov 15^th, 2010, 2:55pm

many ways at looking at it, I like to keep my oil changed on a regular basis, if nothing else it does not hurt to have the car in the air and see any faults or something thta could be a fault if not sorted. Twice this has saved me issues later so well worth it.

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by zero on Nov 15^th, 2010, 3:18pm

changed mine yesterday, cars done 87k new filter, and as much oil as possable, sadly little difference still getting the OD light flashing today

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Dave2302 on Nov 16^th, 2010, 11:16am

You need to get it code read to see why it is putting the light on,

HTH Dave

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Mike H on Nov 20^th, 2010, 9:28pm

^ What he said

Also consider wiring issues

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by indefatigable on Nov 20^th, 2010, 10:56pm

Hello Mike
Thanks for the thoughts.
Since the original flashing light over a week ago,there has been no re apperance of it.
I have done about 250 miles since with no ill effects :-X

The day before it happened i had been through a large puddle/small flood,this could point to as you say a wireing fault on the gearbox wireing.

When i change the oil i will inspect.

Will update as and when this is done.
Thanks everyone
Richard

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by Mike H on Nov 23^rd, 2010, 1:29pm

That was probably it then, so actually you got no serious problems with the box after all. We get quite a few flashing O/D type queries, most of the time it's most likely a sensor / wiring issue. A real box problem is probably more noticeable, like the chap who lost reverse gear. (Rear brake band broke)

Re the original qustion, if I didn't know how long ago the oil / filter was renewed, I'd probably want to change them just to be certain. Not sure mileage covered would effect that. If there were any "bits" floating about for some reason I'd rather they be outside that remaining inside ;D

Title: Re: To change or not to change{ATF Oil)
Post by zero on Nov 23^rd, 2010, 2:54pm

be warned, mine seemed to be fine, now it appears to have gone bang big time, and the box has only done 87k

ho hum!!!