Automatic gear change when engine cold

serge · Post by **serge** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:12 pm

Hi chaps

I recently became the proud owner of a Bongo with a full conversion and I love it, and more importantly wifey is warming to the idea too

Being a Bongo virgin, I am not sure whether this is a potential problem or just the nature of the engine, but when I start off on a cold engine, the gears change beautifully, but top gear never engages until the engine warms enough after about 3 miles. After that it runs puuurrfectly.

I live in a village on a hill, and find this is more of a problem when going downhill to start with, and am also very conscious that Harry the salesman in his company BMW thinks I am a prat in a camper at the best of times, so me slowing him for his next appointment really p*****es him off........maybe it's not a problem after all!!!!

All advice will be greatly appreciated as the extent of my mechanical knowledge is that an engine is the noisy bit at the front (I think)

Cheers

Serge

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:17 pm

It's normal - won't lock up until warm

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:18 pm

It's feature with all diesel autos. It's meant to do that. It's a safety feature but I forget the technical reason behind it.

Welcome to the world of Bongoing BTW.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:58 pm

I thought it was to promote the bongo to warm - up more quickly? I was unaware that it was featured on other diesel auto's...

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:05 pm

I was unaware that it was featured on other diesel auto's...

Yeah it was on my Townace but it took forever to change up from cold. Very embarrassing at times. I hardly notice the delay on the Bongo as it's so quick in comparison.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:06 pm

I live in a village on a hill, and find this is more of a problem when going downhill to start with, and am also very conscious that Harry the salesman in his company BMW thinks I am a prat in a camper at the best of times, so me slowing him for his next appointment really p*****es him off........maybe it's not a problem after all!!!!

Oy...I'm a salesman and I live by a hill...but I drive a BONGO

Harry

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:13 pm

Veg_Ian wrote:
I was unaware that it was featured on other diesel auto's...
Yeah it was on my Townace but it took forever to change up from cold. Very embarrassing at times. I hardly notice the delay on the Bongo as it's so quick in comparison.

I barely notice it at all with the bongo... I'm usually a good ten minutes into my trip from my house before i can even approach lock-up speed of 37MPH. By which time of course, the bongo has warmed nicely.

I can imagine it being quite an issue if i had to negotiate a fast dual carriageway,or motorway nearby to my home though...

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:19 pm

bigdaddycain wrote: I can imagine it being quite an issue if i had to negotiate a fast dual carriageway,or motorway nearby to my home though...

I can assure you the box soon warms up when you get up to that sort of speed.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:25 pm

I can imagine! Whether rightly or wrongly, i have developed a habit (for some years now) of not exceeding an engine speed of 2000 RPM until full operating temp has been attained. With a cold bongo,and no lock up, what kind of revs would i be running at a steady cruise speed of say 65MPH on a motorway? I know it's around 2400RPM in my bongo when warm.

dynamohum · Post by **dynamohum** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:52 pm

Mine does the same, I suspect it's to allow the oil in the torque convertor to reach the correct viscosity before manually locking up

Ho hum.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:55 pm

that sounds about right

Mr Halibut · Post by **Mr Halibut** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:06 pm

I go straight onto a dual carriageway going up a hill every morning:(

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:11 pm

Nobody likes a smart Alec

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:12 pm

Mr Halibut wrote:I go straight onto a dual carriageway going up a hill every morning:(

A trick I use is to chock one of the wheels (for safety, and handbrake is firmly on too) then put the gearstick in 'D' while the engine warms up for 5 mins or so. By the time I move off, the gearbox is ready to lock-up.

I'm sure I'm being naughty, but we live in a quiet cul de sac with no real risk so using the above precuations I think its OK.

serge · Post by **serge** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 2:57 pm

Chaps

Many, many thanks for all of your advice.....what a nice site this is!!!!!

At least now I know there shouldn't be a problem here, and my hard earned cash can be spent on beer instead, but I will check the transmission oil just in case

Thanks again

Serge

Automatic gear change when engine cold

Automatic gear change when engine cold

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