Auto gearbox problem (very concerned)

[bobbin1982]

I had another post where i was asking about the fluid level and how to top up....
I topped it up as it was popping out of gear and slipping...I took it for a drive and as i put in reverse to move out of my parking area the revs climbed to around 2k and the gear banged in and shot me back like a bullet.. the same when put back into drive... Its fine when sat idling in N or P.. and also the "i" light is on.. about 3 mins of driving the car go back to normal again and the box feels the best it ever has... does anyone know whats going on?


Thanks , Andy

[andreia]

You need to top and check the level with the engine running

[bobbin1982]

I did... but that isnt the answer to my current problem..

[bobbin1982]

this is my daily driver and i dont wanna break it

[ProToZyKo]

You need to check that you have the correct amount of oil in.
If the oil is correct it could be a few problems, either your oil pump is soon gone or your valve body needs some overhaul.
I would think that if you drive around like that you will damage your clutch pack's soon.

[bobbin1982]

Ok thanks... how do i go about checking these things?



Andy

[ProToZyKo]

Well i guess you know how to check your oil ;) Start the car let it idle some, maybe take a quick drive, then put it in R N D 3 2 1 2 3 D N R P, let is stay in each gear for a few seconds then check that oil is at the top mark, not over.
Don't know why people say that it should be put in D 3 2 1 because it's basically the same gear.
The other stuff you can't really check, for that you need to bench the auto, so you would need to turn it in for an overhaul.

[bobbin1982]

Ok ill give this another check...Hope this is the problem.. cheers for the reply

Andy

[bobbin1982]

Ok the oil is correct... but it seems to get stuck in 3rd all the time.. after a little driving the box goes to normal..so when i start my car up in the morning im pulling away in 3rd which it obviously not good for the clutch and wont go into 4th which is bad for fuel econemy...

Is there anything else i can do?

(A very concerned) Andy

[ProToZyKo]

Uhm, heh it's in 3rd when you start the car
Well what you need is an auto repair man, you would need a full overhaul of the gearbox, not cheap but your auto will be as good as new again.
It is possible to do this yourself but if you aint any good with mechanics i would suggest not to, you can risk braking it more or problem not solved, and it will probably take you days.
From what you tell me your valve body needs adjustment/overhaul. And probably some clutch packs.
A repair man knows this much better.

[bobbin1982]

so would this be a good time to look for a second hand box?...
How easy is it to install a new MANUAL box and clutch?


Andy

[ProToZyKo]

Think it takes some time, but not the hardest job, what part's you need i think you can search around for at the forum.

[trevski]

Have a fluid change done and get the strainer changed at the same time by a gearbox center! This made a lot of difference to how my one behaved having shown some of the same symptoms as you have described,, holding in 3rd and surging ect!

[jbh]

id drop a manual in. its a weekends work. parts needed are flywheel,spigot bearing, clutch kit, pedal box, master & slave cylinder, pipe work, manual prop, gear linkage, bracket for holding the gear linkage as far as I know the auto diff has a strange ratio which you'll need to change but I could be wrong. its a job worth doing and I've done it myself on a few occasions. best way is to buy a cheap donor car. whatever you don't use you can sell and weigh in whatever is left.

[Ace 325i]

Same thing happened to mine. The car would only drive in 3rd gear with the orange "(!)" cog on the dash. Same violent thuds in and out of gear..

Flushed the transmission oil and replaced with new - never happened again. Depends on how far your box has gone though?

[bobbin1982]

Im gonna speak to a gearbox centre and see what they say... then if its too expensive im gonna have to sell her... i cant keep affording to fix things

I might be able to pick another manual 320 for cheap..would ALL the peices i need be on the donor?

Its been doing it for about a week.. i have had the car for about 16 months..and the light does go off... but after a little bit of driving


Thanks, Andy

[jbh]

not knowing what you car it but I take it will be a 325 or 320 if so everything from the 320 will change over. best way to go IMO

[bobbin1982]

Ill speak to my work mate topmorrow as he has a 320 thats rotten as a pear.. so ill offer him £!50 for it and hopefully he says yes

Change a gearbox in a weekend!?.... Hmm i think i will give myself a week never done anything this involving before plus i dont have a clue what to change and what to keep..
Is there any guides about on how to do this swap? .. If someone knows of one it will ease my mind when doing the job

BTW yes its a 325 touring i have.. will a 320 saloon still be ok to use?


Thanks, Andy

[jbh]

yea 320 stuff will be fine the 320 box is the same ratio as the 325i sport box just not as strong. use the 320 prop and diff as well. if you need advice on doing it feel free to pm me or email me I've done it a few times. if you want I could get some pictures of bits as ive got a 325i stripped down the now.

if you want take pictures as your doing it and we could write a guide up if that's cool with you?

James

[ProToZyKo]

Hm i can't understand how changing fluid would solve something like this if the fluid is red and filter is not clogged. I assume you have tried changing filter and oil? Not just fill up more? This would be the first to do.
If you have done this i would check with someone that knows auto's better.
If you haven't drained it and changed filter do it ;)

[bobbin1982]

My mate will be there to take pics so yeh sounds cool... be nice to contribute to the zone as its helped me a lot over the period i have owned my E30.. And dont worry ill ask for help ;)

My email is ( andrewbobbin811@hotmail.com ) if you could send me any information/pics you have would be good too


Andy

[bobbin1982]

Protozyko: I have been wanting to do a manual swap for ages now so i suppose this is the best excuse

[jbh]

My mate will be there to take pics so yeh sounds cool... be nice to contribute to the zone as its helped me a lot over the period i have owned my E30.. And dont worry ill ask for help ;)

My email is ( andrewbobbin811@hotmail.com ) if you could send me any information/pics you have would be good too


Andy

Andy ill take some pictures tomorrow or Thursday for you and ill do a quick write up on an email for you. once you start if you take some pictures of the progress we can do a write up and see about even getting it on the Wiki for future reference for other ppl.


James

[bobbin1982]

Yup sounds like a good plan mate... just gotta find my donor now