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[cd 2.2]

Right I changed the radiator on my 2.2 auto very recently and noticed when I removed the gearbox oil cooler that the oil in it, was very brown.
I am led to believe that the gearbox oil should be a more pinkish colour. I have been having some shifting issues (mainly dropping 3rd gear).
Today I took the car out for a long drive (160 miles round trip) as we felt like going to see friends out in Lincolnshire, most of the way there any time we needed 3rd gear it was playing up ... Until a little old lady in a Rav 4 decided that a very high 2 digit number close to 100mph  would be fun over the Gainsborough top roads into Louth! During this fun I notice that when the box changes into top gear, under heavy load, it slips just a little.

Am I barking up the right tree thinking that it is most likely the gearbox oil at fault ?? The car has now covered 117130 miles and no evidence of gearbox oil change at any point ... What oil can I use (is any Dexron 3 good enough) and where do you get a gearbox oil filter from? My local Vx dealer says they have no filter and no part similar too a filter (they quoted £107 +v.a.t to change the oil)

Cheers in advance Graham

[Steve B]

Here is how the jobs done.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90664.0

IMHO Dont use the comma fluid, 

Most seem to clean the filter. Dont think there cheap

A short cut around the job can be done through the oil cooler pipes

[05omegav6]

Quick check...

Rub some of the oil between your finger and thumb. It should be gritty. If it's smooth or smells burnt then it's toast

[Steve B]

Quick check...

Rub some of the oil between your finger and thumb. It should be gritty. If it's smooth or smells burnt then it's toast

Its brown 

[chrisgixer]

Colour is tricky. Its dark red out of the bottle, and will immediately darken more depending on how much oil is still in the system on a used box. Which will be a fair amount as the torque converter holds a few litres, so you never get it all out using the guide method.

Yours may just be low on oil, if slipping, as the fluid can't reach the pick up.

But certainly, without doubt, if that's the original ATF, it needs changing. 60-80k tops.

2 x 5 litre cans of Fuchs Titan Dex 3, clean the filter, gaskets are easier if you can get them, and more reliable than a sealant/instant gasket which tend to leak after a while, ime.

[chrisgixer]

2.2 auto box is more often upset by cam sensor faults, so worth reading the codes as well.

[cd 2.2]

Thanks for all your responses guys! The gearbox oil doesn't feel gritty in any way and I vaguely  remember it smelly kind of nasty. I'm not looking forward to this job as it looks time consuming more than anything else

Again, thanks for your replies, Graham

[Entwood]

Thanks for all your responses guys! The gearbox oil doesn't feel gritty in any way and I vaguely  remember it smelly kind of nasty. I'm not looking forward to this job as it looks time consuming more than anything else

Again, thanks for your replies, Graham

The higher you can get the car the easier the job !!   Its not difficult, but on axle stands its just awkward, luckily the last time I did mine was at an OOF meet with a full vehicle lift .... made life dead simple to get to everything. To refill use a pump up garden sprayer with the spray lance removed so the pipe goes into the filling hole .. makes life soooo  much easier ..

[SIR Philbutt]

Not changing to or "thumping" into 3rd gear can be caused by bad or low fluid, BUT, can also be caused by the solonoid failing in the box.

The cam sensor can affect it but IMO less common and other problems would be happening and there may be codes stored

The solonoid was what turned out to be the cause of this on my old mig, after changing the cam sensor, fluid and filter

IME I would suggest you suck or syphon what fluid you can out of the box through the sump plug and refill as per the guide and see if this improves things. Reason being that if you are going to take off the sump and do the filter etc this is also your access to the solonoid which you can swop at the same time

HTH
Phil

[cd 2.2]

Not changing to or "thumping" into 3rd gear can be caused by bad or low fluid, BUT, can also be caused by the solonoid failing in the box.

The cam sensor can affect it but IMO less common and other problems would be happening and there may be codes stored

The solonoid was what turned out to be the cause of this on my old mig, after changing the cam sensor, fluid and filter

IME I would suggest you suck or syphon what fluid you can out of the box through the sump plug and refill as per the guide and see if this improves things. Reason being that if you are going to take off the sump and do the filter etc this is also your access to the solonoid which you can swop at the same time

HTH
Phil

Cheers phil ... can you get the solenoids new from VX do you know? ... May be worth getting this checked out BEFORE I do anything with the oil  

[SIR Philbutt]

Not changing to or "thumping" into 3rd gear can be caused by bad or low fluid, BUT, can also be caused by the solonoid failing in the box.

The cam sensor can affect it but IMO less common and other problems would be happening and there may be codes stored

The solonoid was what turned out to be the cause of this on my old mig, after changing the cam sensor, fluid and filter

IME I would suggest you suck or syphon what fluid you can out of the box through the sump plug and refill as per the guide and see if this improves things. Reason being that if you are going to take off the sump and do the filter etc this is also your access to the solonoid which you can swop at the same time

HTH
Phil

Cheers phil ... can you get the solenoids new from VX do you know? ... May be worth getting this checked out BEFORE I do anything with the oil

Have not actually bought one, bought another mig instead  .
Did read on here that you can but some time ago
Put a wanted add in the section and see what you get

[TheBoy]

Checking the level would be a start. If its obviously very lower, then a fluid change may well sort it.

Don't delay too much, as that slip is doing it no favours.

[Shackeng]

ATF Dex III still only £42.95 +VAT for 20l on TC.

[Shackeng]

ATF Dex III still only £42.95 +VAT for 20l on TC.

OOPs sorry double digit trouble!

[cd 2.2]

That's not so bad  ... What's TC?