fluid levels!

snickers · Post by **snickers** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 4:33 pm

Our bongo has always been a bit jerky when changing from 1st to second when cold.

I wondered, could it be that the fluid level in the gearbox could be to high or low thats making it jolt?

It seems after its really hot the changes are really smooth!

Any ideas???

ChrisEm · Post by **ChrisEm** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:52 pm

I think you'll find it's a common trait of all older automatics, just a simple case of the oil being cold I think you'll find. I know they won't lock up in top until the oils warm.

snickers · Post by **snickers** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:06 pm

ChrisEm wrote:I think you'll find it's a common trait of all older automatics, just a simple case of the oil being cold I think you'll find. I know they won't lock up in top until the oils warm.

I suppose I kind of knew that but its only 1st to 2nd thats jerky all the other changes are smooth!

ours doesn't change into top for quite a while either but as you say I think thats normal!

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:02 pm

Auto boxes often benefit from a periodic fluid change. Check the ATF, if it's brown and cloudy, change it. Unfortunately a fluid change requires either a special suction pump or by dropping the cover off the bottom by removing some 20 x 10mm bolts and being able to catch some 4 litres of fluid in the process. The advantage of the manual method is that you can also clean out the debris from the filter.

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:21 pm

If it smells of toast it certainly needs changing.

snickers · Post by **snickers** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:13 pm

Veg_Ian wrote:Auto boxes often benefit from a periodic fluid change. Check the ATF, if it's brown and cloudy, change it. Unfortunately a fluid change requires either a special suction pump or by dropping the cover off the bottom by removing some 20 x 10mm bolts and being able to catch some 4 litres of fluid in the process. The advantage of the manual method is that you can also clean out the debris from the filter.

I think it was a bit brown although I didn't sniff it!

Maybe it needs a change, it cant really hurt I suppose,oh apart from my bank balance!

alant54 · Post by **alant54** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:29 pm

I had my atf fluid changed 12 months ago....apparently you can't change it all as some is retained in the fluid clutch thingy ( technical term

)...also there is some sort of filter thing in there and my mechanic said it was as clean as a whistle and the fluid didn't need changing really but better to be safe than sorry......mine has done 140,00km with no problems.....I am confident of doing another 140,000km with no major problems......

....Alan

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:53 pm

Recommended ATF change is every 25,000 miles if I recall................

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:17 pm

Dandy - 25k miles interval really? I've always gone by the colour of the ATF as owners have different driving conditions. I thought that Dexron III being synthetic may have prolonged the life of it?