auto box

acer · Post by **acer** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 12:41 am

how reliable is the auto box in bongo ,in previous cars iv,e owned many years ago they have been nothing but trouble.it seems the majority have auto boxes and as i.ll be towing a trailer-tent i want something thats well reliable.

maybe the more techie owners can give me some clues at spotting a dodgy gearbox......

regds acer

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:56 am

Hi Acer, im not a techie unfortunately, but i know a good box from a bad un'.

The bongo's auto box is no more unreliable than any other auto box on any other car i can think of.

In fact its very reliable,i cant recall any gearbox problem's aired on here, (short of doing a search).

The auto box can be a little clunky on the changes when started from cold,but this soon smoothes out nicely as the bongo warms.

Get the gearbox warm,and check the ATF with the engine running in drive,ask a trustworthy friend to apply the footbrake firmly

In addition to the handbrake being applied,and dig the wheel chocks out of the spare wheel changing kit in the sliding door lower cubby.( just in case)

The fluid should be clean,and red. Check the level of the fluid in the box, (only the true level can be gauged whilst in drive,with engine running)

Obviously,if the fluid is low,then top up with ATF fluid,available from most car accessory shops.

Overfilling is as bad as a low level too,so take it nice and steady with the topping up.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:35 am

I believe it is the same autobox used on Nissan engined London taxis?

Most autoboxes are very reliable anyway, capable of starship mileages. Just look after the fluid and filters. In nearly 20 years of driving autos - all sorts - never had a problem with any of them.

Steve L · Post by **Steve L** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:19 am

A friend, who was a mechanic used to say that when he was training, the instructor used to demonstrate the reliability of automatic boxes. He dropped all the fluid out of one, then let the students drive it round a field at the back of the college until it stopped working. He waited for it to cool down then refilled it with ATF then the vehicle drove as normal. I dont think you could do that with a manual box.
I've towed caravans with both manual vehicles and automatics. My choice for towing (or solo for that matter) would be an automatic every time.

acer · Post by **acer** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:50 am

thanks all for tips and advice ........much appreciated big daddycain
i feel a lot more confident now

regds acer

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:37 pm

Steve L wrote:A friend, who was a mechanic used to say that when he was training, the instructor used to demonstrate the reliability of automatic boxes. He dropped all the fluid out of one, then let the students drive it round a field at the back of the college until it stopped working. He waited for it to cool down then refilled it with ATF then the vehicle drove as normal. I dont think you could do that with a manual box.
I've towed caravans with both manual vehicles and automatics. My choice for towing (or solo for that matter) would be an automatic every time.

If he dropped out all the oil the vehicle wouldn't drive, never mind take it to a field - it relies on the oil to take the drive from the engine to the gearbox like a manual gearbox's clutch

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:09 pm

Acer,

I have only had autos for the last 30 years, and all have been very reliable despite the fact that most of them were old when I bought them. I used to tow a heavy Sprite Musketeer caravan with a 1966 Mk 2 Cortina auto, and we travelled all over England with that outfit. When I bought it the car had done nearly 80,000 miles, and we had it another 10 years. Never touched the gearbox once except to change the oil and filter, and it still worked fine when I sold the car. I think I would call that reliable! The Bongo gearbox is a big improvement on the Borg Warner 35 as fitted to the Cortina, so if it has been treated ok and you do the same, it should last for years.

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:44 pm

Kirsty,

I would be inclined to pump it out first...then drop the pan to clean the filter and the magnet in the pan. I did mine by dropping the pan and it all got very messy. The filter seems to be in a sealed metal container but I flushed new atf back and forth through it till it I could see no metal fragments.

acer · Post by **acer** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:23 am

thanks for the re-assurance ....i have an idea that a v8 rover i had many years ago had a borg warner 35 box ,i had no end of trouble with ,something to do with the reverse bands so i was told, had it adjusted at kennings in peterborough and was advised to get rid of it right quick...........glad to hear there pretty reliable...

regds acer

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:25 pm

When I was serving my apprenticeship (many moons ago

) I spent a year in the auto gearbox department in a Rover dealership. The BW35 in the V8 was the most frequently overhauled 'box in the place - even under warranty they were being replaced

Too much torque in what was fundamentally the same 'box as a Hillman Avenger (jeez, now I'm showing my age

) albeit with some extra clutch plates chucked in.

chiefster1976 · Post by **chiefster1976** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:15 pm

quote

'The fluid should be clean,and red. Check the level of the fluid in the box, (only the true level can be gauged whilst in drive,with engine running)

Is this a miss print or is that correct about keeping the gear stick in DRIVE whilst checking the ATF fluid to get a true reading and not in Park/neutral???

I recently had an experience with a FORD FIESTA auto....The ZETEC engines are renowned for excellent reliabilty and punch of the engines but unknowned to myself the auto boxes are not...( basically with not having a torque convertor in them but instead having a chain a valve tends to wear inside the gearbox leading to serious and expensive problems...)

CAR gearboxes probably a different kettle of fish!!!

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:54 pm

"D" can be the best position to get an acurate reading but "P" works pretty well. Manufacturers are reluctant to recommend using "D" in case someone loses their vehicle!

I'm 99% sure the fiesta 'box is a CVT type which is a load different to what we have.

The continously Variable Transmission is pretty reliable (except the ZF unit in MGs)

and was first designed in the 60s by DAF using rubber belts.....yawn, yawn, bore bore.

chiefster1976 · Post by **chiefster1976** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:05 pm

Hi dandy, yep the Fizza auto is a CVT and very unreliable due to the either the Idle control valve or the step motor! Gearbox works fine once the box is warm but stalls when cold...This is how i got caught out at the auctions as the cars was running a while before i engaged drive...

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:03 pm

chiefster1976 wrote:quote

...( basically with not having a torque convertor in them but instead having a chain a valve tends to wear inside the gearbox leading to serious and expensive problems...)

Never heard of an auto without a torque converter. How is the drive to the gearbox disconnected when stationary with the engine running and drive engaged? Presumably the chain takes the drive from the gearbox to the diff?

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:05 pm

Ah, that could explain it. Doesn't the CVT transmission use a centrifugal clutch?