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[Grumpy1]

Originally Posted by Undercover

Clearly you are not an undercover agent. NOC is Non-Official Cover and is used by spies that aren't attached to any government or organisation and said government or orgaisation will aways denign knowing you. They are spies that are really on their own.

Of course it is Matt. Should have known that shouldn't I! By the way, trying to pm you but your inbox is full.

Chad.

[v-man]

Originally Posted by Grumpy1

By the way, trying to pm you but your inbox is full.

Chad.

Indeed, there is one thread about it already.

[Undercover]

Originally Posted by v-man

Indeed, there is one thread about it already.

Have just deleted a couple of messages.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by lovema75

... no loss of drive, no slippage, cruises perfectly on motorway, the only problem is that when hot, the change from 2nd to third becomes very harsh. No other gears are affected, and down changes are also normal ..

I have to admit that I'm clutching at straws here in an effort to solve your problem. I have an ATSG repair manual for the JATCo and it says that torque reduction may be inhibited if the transmission fluid temperature sensor malfunctions. However this wouldn't explain why only an upchange from 2nd to 3rd is harsh.

Is it worth revisiting the thorny issue of the ATF? I've forgotten; did you change it yourself and use a N402 compatible fluid? Did you check the level with a warm gearbox using the device on the underside of the transmission? I'd be tempted to re-check it.

Simon

[Undercover]

Originally Posted by SD1too

I have to admit that I'm clutching at straws here in an effort to solve your problem. I have an ATSG repair manual for the JATCo and it says that torque reduction may be inhibited if the transmission fluid temperature sensor malfunctions. However this wouldn't explain why only an upchange from 2nd to 3rd is harsh.

Is it worth revisiting the thorny issue of the ATF? I've forgotten; did you change it yourself and use a N402 compatible fluid? Did you check the level with a warm gearbox using the device on the underside of the transmission? I'd be tempted to re-check it.

Simon

Simon

I think the next thing is to take it out for a run with a T4 connected and see what is happening in real time, it may give a clue as to what is going on. I know that Rover 54 attended at the weekend as I pointed the problem out to him and he said he would attend.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Is it worth revisiting the thorny issue of the ATF? I've forgotten; did you change it yourself and use a N402 compatible fluid? Did you check the level with a warm gearbox using the device on the underside of the transmission? I'd be tempted to re-check it.

David (LoveMa75),

I've just found your earlier thread when you drained the transmission fluid and it was black! You said that there were no particles in it, it was just very dirty. James suggested that this may indicate a worn clutch, which would only normally result from abuse. I don't know the mileage or history of your car but in view of the state of the fluid, a second change wouldn't be a bad idea. Make sure that you drain it when the engine is warm so that it flows as freely as possible.

Simon

[lovema75]

Originally Posted by SD1too

I have to admit that I'm clutching at straws here in an effort to solve your problem. I have an ATSG repair manual for the JATCo and it says that torque reduction may be inhibited if the transmission fluid temperature sensor malfunctions. However this wouldn't explain why only an upchange from 2nd to 3rd is harsh.

Is it worth revisiting the thorny issue of the ATF? I've forgotten; did you change it yourself and use a N402 compatible fluid? Did you check the level with a warm gearbox using the device on the underside of the transmission? I'd be tempted to re-check it.

Simon

Thanks for your input everyone.

Yes Simon, I did a full change using Carlube ATF-U, as indicated as an acceptable alternative on your list. I would have used the MGR fluid but couldn't afford it, Carlube much cheaper. I removed pipe from oil cooler to get as much old fluid out from torque converter, so box had total of 8 litres of new fluid! I can't properly check the level because the level plug is seized, but I got 8 litres out and 8 litres went in so it shouldn't be to far away.

Changes perfectly smooth when cold, and continue to be so when hot except for up change from 2nd to 3rd. All down changes normal.

I think it's possible the box was not rebuilt properly, but there isn't much I can do about it - a replacement box is just totally out of the question for me financially.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by lovema75

I can't properly check the level because the level plug is seized, but I got 8 litres out and 8 litres went in so it shouldn't be to far away.

Supposing that the cause of the harsh change is an error in the fluid level then replacing with the same amount gets you no further forward. It's highly unsatisfactory that the level plug won't move. I think you should forget about everything else and sort this out. I'm not pretending it's easy, but there are ways of removing over-tight bolts, and they're cheap!

Edit: David, have you got a long handled tool, such as a torque wrench, with which you can apply some decent force to this plug?

Simon

[lovema75]

Originally Posted by SD1too

Supposing that the cause of the harsh change is an error in the fluid level then replacing with the same amount gets you no further forward. It's highly unsatisfactory that the level plug won't move. I think you should forget about everything else and sort this out. I'm not pretending it's easy, but there are ways of removing over-tight bolts, and they're cheap!

Edit: David, have you got a long handled tool, such as a torque wrench, with which you can apply some decent force to this plug?

Simon

Yes Simon, but not a 5.5mm attachment that will fit it, and I'm all spent out right now so can't lash out on a set to fit. Sorry don't mean that to sound like a whinge, times are tough for everyone.

I broke the 3 Allen keys I had on it. I'm not keen to use more force because I've read of some who ripped the threads out of the casing, and that would just be a disaster.

On the last 75 I had the level plug came out with an Allen key without problem. And I still have a plug seized in the cylinder head...

This car does not want to be saved, I wonder perhaps whether I should have just let it die!

Addendum: car has done 145000m, receipt from previous owner shows gearbox rebuilt at cost of £1580 2 years ago.

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by lovema75

Yes Simon, but not a 5.5mm attachment that will fit it, and I'm all spent out right now so can't lash out on a set to fit.

David,

According to my MG Rover Technical Instruction it's a 5.0 mm hexagon key. All you need is one of those mounted in a 3/8 drive socket (or whatever size your torque wrench is). You don't need to buy a set of anything, they are available individually. Here's one. Surely £4.95 is affordable?

I'm not keen to use more force because I've read of some who ripped the threads out of the casing, and that would just be a disaster.

Reasonable force applied sensibly is o.k. It's when people don't know when to stop that the trouble starts. It's most likely that the plug has been just overtightened so that a short Allen key just doesn't stand a chance. Has someone forced the wrong size plug into the casing? I doubt it if a 5 mm key fits. I can't see how it can be seized because it's protected from rainwater and has 8 litres of lubricant sitting above it! I think there's a good chance that, with a bit more of a heave using the correct tool, it will release.

Simon