Auto box or engine mount?

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:32 am

Hi all fellow crazed folk

Margot (auto TRS16) has had a surprise reawakening as the SAAB is in hospital during her cycle of normal service.

The BX picked up the slack no dramas until today, when there was this curious moment when she held second longer than usual. (usually quite quick to change up). Fairly shortly afterwards as I was slowing for a TL, there was, on two occasions, a rough judder/shudder from some where in the driveline.

This is very similar to the one off time when I brought the car to life after two years of sitting idle. Since then I have replaced the trans fluid with Dex II equivalent and had zero issues with the transmission.

Anyone think that it might be a minor blockage somewhere?, or perhaps think it has something to do with a dodgy engine/transmission mount on that side that is over-due for replacement, or WCS imminent trans failure.

Car has not even hit 100k miles yet. I really dont think its the first sign of transmission failure, but I'd like some informed input before setting off on my next long journey.

WCS... how easy is it to convert to manual and drop a 16v in, and experience what everyone is on about re "valvers".....bearing in mind, in terms of staggering performance, it would have to be seriously good to come close to my SAAB turbo 16v. But guessing, that as the Cit is considerably lighter, it wouldn't need the power and stump pulling torque the SAAB offers.

Thanx peeps

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:37 pm

You say that you have changed the fluid. Have you checked to see that you haven't overfilled it?

If the fluid is higher than normal you will get harsh changes and possibly early damage to the oil seals.

Measurement for 'normal' must be done when engine hot after driving. (It will be much lower on the dipstick with engine cold.)

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:11 pm

Way2go wrote:Measurement for 'normal' must be done when engine hot after driving. (It will be much lower on the dipstick with engine cold.)

Usually the other way around... when the engine and transmission is cold, the level will be higher, as the valve block drains back to the transmission sump and you get a false high reading.

To correctly check the transmission oil level, there's a procedure (varies a bit beteween cars) whereby you have a hot engine and transmission, and then go through every gear something like 4 times to make sure the valve block is full, and then dip the oil within a short period of time.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:44 am

Not on the BX David, the procedure in the handbook is check when hot.

I also know for a fact that the level goes up when hot because the first time I checked and added when cold , this causes 'chunky' changes. The fluid seems to expand significantly when checked hot. Anyway siphoned some back out and the changes reverted to nice and slick.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:07 pm

Is that the same with the bx manual gearbox as well?

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:25 pm

No, the manual uses gear oil and does not have the dipstick for this measurement. The automatic uses a different fluid and its capacity is 3 times that of the manual box.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:05 pm

If you want a bx with a 16V engine, I would recommend you buy a BX with one already fitted.

they also come with

extras, like nice seats, fat tyres and bigger brakes.

Mike

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 10:09 am

Way2go wrote: the level goes up when hot

How very peculiar! Just about every auto box I've ever dealt with has a lower level when the box is in use, all the oil draining back to the sump when the engine is off creating a false high reading.

Still, at least the rule of "always check when hot" is true.

And I agree with Mike above... don't even consider trying to convert the car, just sell it as it is and buy a 16v.

B-Hive · Post by **B-Hive** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:44 pm

Thx guys for the feedback

Said BX has only occasionally juddered on slowdown. When it did I decided that it was because it wasnt changing down soon enough and then all of of a sudden realising it needed to be a couple, or a few gears, lower than it was so it got a bit flustered.. its only a quite rare occurence so not sure if its a level issue...

Thx also for the heads up on a conversion..i guess i was never really serious about that proposition but good to know not to waste my time and energy.