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Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:42 pm
by ian.musicman
Hi all
I'm new to the club having joined yesterday.

Picked up my Bongo on Friday

and after about 2 hours driving a squeal started

and has been intermittent ever since. I think I've narrowed it down to the transmission, which appears to squeal under power / acceleration and then dissappears off load, although having read the forums here, manifold bolts seem to get mentioned a lot.
I've checked the transmission fluid and its nice and clean but seems to be well above the Full marker. I'm worried it may have been overfilled - do you think this would cause my symptoms.
The engine bay is so clean I wonder if this Bongo has ever been out in the wet ! It looks very clean and well looked after and I have three months warranty - its just the garage is about 120miles away from me so if I can sort this myself I'd be much happier.
Thanks in advance for any assistance offered.
Look forward to getting to know you all.
Cheers
Ian
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 8:47 pm
by daveblueozzie
please put your location in your profile, then if someone near you can help they at least know where you are.
ps it does sound like the the bolt.
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:00 pm
by dp bradford
I'm not 100% about this - I'm sure someone who really knows will be along shortly....
If I recall correctly, don't you have to check the ATF with the gearbox loaded up? i.e. with the engine running and in D..... otherwise a high reading may be obtained
Dave
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:05 pm
by mikeonb4c
Welcome ian.musicman. If its under warranty and if its a decent dealer, don't they sometimes agree to a local garage looking at it and reporting back to them before they (possibly) let the local garage do the work and bill them? Worth asking maybe. Whatever you do, notify the dealer ASAP so you've registered the problem. If any doubts, put that same report in a letter to them. Good luck. It'll all turn out fine I'm sure. Oh and fit a low coolant warning alarm!!

Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:10 pm
by haydn callow
check the No 1 manifold stud is still there...also the alternator/air con belts are not loose.
Not likley to be anything to do with the ATF fluid.
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:17 am
by ian.musicman
Thanks for all that. I've notified the dealer and am on the case.
Cheers
Ian
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:40 am
by ian.musicman
I think I've found the problem
All manifold bolts present and correct but i noticed a bolt that was slightly raised out of the corner of my eye on the inlet manifold.
You will see a pipe from the turbo that runs along the top of the inlet manifold. At the right hand end it bolts into the manifold with a two bolt connection. One bolt was raised and would not tighten down as the thread had been stripped. I think the slight gap and missing piece of gasket is the reason for all the noise as air gets sucked into the manifold.
I'll probably have to get this retapped and bolted or replace the casting on the manifold end under warranty.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, we'll see if that solves it, I've a feeling it will.
Cheers
Ian
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:51 am
by Mr Halibut
Excellent stuff.
I accidentally overfilled my box with ATF and I used a piece of plastic tubing (windscreen washer tubing bought from halfords) with a plastic syringe on the end and shoved it down the dipstick pipe and sucked it back out.
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:30 am
by helen&tony
Hi
My view is that Haydn's on the button , there....However, I had a strange sound emanating from the front , stopped at the end of the lane, and our barn moggy was sitting under the bonnet!!
Cheers
Helen
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:13 pm
by ian.musicman
Well I didn't find my cat but I managed to source a bolt in my old Celica parts bin that was threaded to the end rather than stopping 5mm short and managed to get into the thread at the bottom of the hole - enough bite to tighten down the gasket and all is now well.

I can now be a happy Bongolier !!!
Cheers all
Ian
Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:24 pm
by lizard
Mr Halibut wrote:Excellent stuff.
I accidentally overfilled my box with ATF and I used a piece of plastic tubing (windscreen washer tubing bought from halfords) with a plastic syringe on the end and shoved it down the dipstick pipe and sucked it back out.
It looks like strawberry juice, is this true

Re: Overfill Transmission Fluid
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:52 am
by bigdaddycain
ian.musicman wrote:Well I didn't find my cat but I managed to source a bolt in my old Celica parts bin that was threaded to the end rather than stopping 5mm short and managed to get into the thread at the bottom of the hole - enough bite to tighten down the gasket and all is now well.

I can now be a happy Bongolier !!!
Cheers all
Ian
Those remaining threads are under some strain there Ian... Keep an eye (or ear) on things in the future...I can see a helicoiling session imminent
Suck it and see...It may be a permanent repair!
