Auto box 'sluggish' 2L petrol

[dunslair]

Hi though I would flag this one, had a bit of a poke around search, but not really any similarities / other posts.

The van is generally running great 98% of the time, but recently I have noticed that when the engine is cold there doesn't appear to be any 'umph' or pick up in 2nd. No matter how much you put your foot down, and in fact it picks up better if you keep a light foot. The problem is only really noticeable on inclines putting away from junctions etc. I have checked the levels of the auto box fluid (which was replaced a couple of years ago (about 12,000 miles back) which are fine. The problem appears to go once the van is warmed up, and continues to run fine. No noticeable loss of power at higher speeds etc, and the engine is running nicely (just been serviced).

Any ideas folks?.......

And before anybody pipes up..... yes I know the 2L is 'under powered' at the best of times. but then so am I, so its kind of a good fit.

cheers

David.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Are you 100% sure it's the box...I'll hazard a guess that it's elsewhere...even if the engine sounds "sweet", it may be that it's able to get into second, and it needs to warm a bit more before there's enough "oomph" to change up again.....I'll hazard a guess that the engine itself needs a wee tweak.
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

If engine not revving freely, I would suspect fuel or ignition issues first. Try loosening filler cap and see if that makes a difference.

I've only once experienced a gearbox fault that has affected performance and that was with an Audi A4 with multi-tronic CVT gearbox (known affectionately as multi-chronic). The fault was in the main control module which was telling the engine to go into limp mode. Still, I got a brand new gearbox under warranty so overall good result - it was not cost effective to open the box up to change the brain.

[dunslair]

Thanks for the replies folks. The engine appears to be revving OK, but it may well be idling at slightly lower revs than it was before the service. Could that have an effect on the change up / down in second? I will try loosening the fuel cap a bit to see if that helps. Out for a good long run in the morning with it, so I will try and be a bit more analytic to pinpoint the change. I first noticed it on pretty steep inclines on holiday, it wasn't dropping down from second to first, nor did it stall, it just kind of 'bimbled' up the hill (even when fully loaded).

[Alacrity]

Hi
Are you 100% sure it's the box...I'll hazard a guess that it's elsewhere...even if the engine sounds "sweet", it may be that it's able to get into second, and it needs to warm a bit more before there's enough "oomph" to change up again.....I'll hazard a guess that the engine itself needs a wee tweak.
Cheers
Helen

I'd bet money Helen is correct, the gearbox cannot 'loose power' - it only transmits power made elsewhere (by the engine in the case of a car). The only way the gearbox can cause a perceived power loss is if it is 'tying up' i.e. it is in two gears at once, in extreme cases it will lock the wheels. A slight tie up can feel like the brakes come on in one gear BUT - & its a big but - it is a very rare occurrence & it will only do it for a short while before a gear will be lost altogether giving you a neutral where it used to be!