Loosing drive in auto 320i

[Blanca]

Far from being a newcomer to mechanics I have never understood the mysteries of the automatic gearbox, CVT sure but the box on my E30, nuffin'.

And before someone opens up the can of worms about auto v manual, I love auto (like 87% of European drivers.) Apart from the MB A170 heap of shit I also own where the 1st gear clutch keeps cracking.

It seems to have started with either changing the radiator, (yes it IS the correct one) after the accident or changing the ATF for Dacron III (no I didn't remove the bottom, just drained and refilled, no filter as I couldn't get one at the time).

It drives really well, lots of power for a 2L and smooth, starting problem boiled down to a loose nut on te fuel pump, so all new and all OK.

Gear change used to be a bit of a 'thud' going into D or R but changes were fine and I finaly got the throtle body settings and cables sorted so after new bushes and cable kickdown is great,, just drops a cog, snarls and goes like a bat out of hell.

BUT! recently I have been loosing all drive while cruising. just no drive. engine revs but I would say in a manual I would be looking at clutch slip but it is an auto.

I park up, switch off and wait just a couple of miuets and I can pop it into D and it drives as normal, sometime for a fortnight sometimes 10 milrs. if I go faster that 70MPH.

It is not consistant as would be the case of mechanical failure which in my experience means once it is broke it stays broke.

With fluids I would think an air lock somewhere but it keeps happening. The first time I suspected low fluid level and topped up with 1/2 L of ATF untill at second (top) lump on dip stick when in P and running warm.

It has been two weeks since the last episode untill yeasterday, went 45 KM OK including a steep 20m clime out from the underground garage when almost cold and 15KM on the way back when I took the motorway and it went after the long uphill begining to the highway and I accelerated and sunddenly had to pull onto the hard shoulder and wait with the engine running, no change, stopped the engine for just 2 minuets and off I wentt again and made it home OK.

There is only ONE automatice repaier in the arear Transmatic of Estepona so I am at their mercy price wise if you know what I mean.

So, any ideas or someone with same proble, cured-solved?

Thanks in advance

[Blanca]

Not that I think it made any differnce but I adjusted the cable from the transmission to throttle so it has the 2mm gap and drove it to my workshop and back, 45km each way, and it was fine but I could do it again tomorrow and loose drive.

[flybynite]

Well I'm no expert on slushboxes but have worked on a couple.

If you have the right amount of the correct fluid in the box and it is not leaking , then check the selector adjustment. You have done the throttle but that is only really for the kickdown.

If all that is OK then I am guessing your torque converter is on the blink, in which case it is probably best left to someone who knows what they are doing.

Like I said, no expert but that is how I would tackle it

[Blanca]

Thanks for the input. I am going to change the filter and seal this week and clean fluid and see what happens.

It has been behaving well the past week or so but something has changed for sure, seems to rev higher but never over 4K with steady throttle input, higer if I boot it of course,
exhaust note has changed too which gives me the sensation of higher revs but when I check tacho against speedo it seems to change up about right.

[Blanca]

Just an update; done over 200Km since and although I have had a few weird changes no lose of drive, so must have sorted its self out.

[martauto]

Just an update; done over 200Km since and although I have had a few weird changes no lose of drive, so must have sorted its self out.

Nice one mate, great to hear this

Mart.