Fitting an AR35 from Senator

[Shackeng]

I believe the dipstick was deleted for the Omega because it wouldn't physically fit the car ? 

It will be interesting to see where that is.

[steve6367]

Thanks to BigGriffin, I have sourced a brand new AR35 which was purchased some (6?) years ago to fit to a Senny. This is going on my TD to replace the, supposedly, re-furbished one that ate its thrust washer. Apart from the bell housing and torque converter, are there any other Senny only bits which will need swapping?
Also, as this box was bought from Germany at a cost of £660, this suggests that it may be older than 6 years. If so is it likely to have been fitted with the later, more robust thrust washer?
I am thinking that it may be sensible to strip and fit a Sonnax washer before fitting.
Any thoughts?

They are hard to get now - I couldn't in a time frame that suited when I overhauled my last box so just fitted a new plastic one. They last 100K miles so unless you are really committed to Omegas should not be an issue. I am not sure I would want to open a 'factory sealed' box anyway - you might just introduce FOD / cause issues.

[biggriffin]

I believe the dipstick was deleted for the Omega because it wouldn't physically fit the car ? 

There's still plenty of omegas' with dipsticks, they just happen to be driving(aiming) them.  

[Nick W]

I believe the dipstick was deleted for the Omega because it wouldn't physically fit the car ? 

More likely to save a couple of quid and to enforce the idea that the gearbox is sealed for life.

[Shackeng]

Thanks to BigGriffin, I have sourced a brand new AR35 which was purchased some (6?) years ago to fit to a Senny. This is going on my TD to replace the, supposedly, re-furbished one that ate its thrust washer. Apart from the bell housing and torque converter, are there any other Senny only bits which will need swapping?
Also, as this box was bought from Germany at a cost of £660, this suggests that it may be older than 6 years. If so is it likely to have been fitted with the later, more robust thrust washer?
I am thinking that it may be sensible to strip and fit a Sonnax washer before fitting.
Any thoughts?

They are hard to get now - I couldn't in a time frame that suited when I overhauled my last box so just fitted a new plastic one. They last 100K miles so unless you are really committed to Omegas should not be an issue. I am not sure I would want to open a 'factory sealed' box anyway - you might just introduce FOD / cause issues.

JPAT have them. I got mine by return.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I believe the dipstick was deleted for the Omega because it wouldn't physically fit the car ? 

More likely to save a couple of quid and to enforce the idea that the gearbox is sealed for life.

Could be. Which would be a bonus for the op as it would give the option of checking ATF without faffing around under the car. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Given where the gearbox dipstick sat on the senator, there is no way it will work with a V6 in there.

[Doctor Gollum]

Given where the gearbox dipstick sat on the senator, there is no way it will work with a V6 in there.

Believe Shackeng is putting this box in the 2.5tdi... straight six too...

[Shackeng]

Given where the gearbox dipstick sat on the senator, there is no way it will work with a V6 in there.

Believe Shackeng is putting this box in the 2.5tdi... straight six too...

Correct, 2.5TD

[Shackeng]

Given where the gearbox dipstick sat on the senator, there is no way it will work with a V6 in there.

Whereabouts is the dipstick on the Senny box?

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

From memory- drivers side, comes from half way along the box bends up to finish under the windscreen scuttle.

[Shackeng]

From memory- drivers side, comes from half way along the box bends up to finish under the windscreen scuttle.

Ah one of those American style ones about 3' long.    I shall find out tomorrow when I pick up the box.

[Shackeng]

Well picked it up today. Definitely brand new, but does not have AR35 on the plate, it has a GM number 90399204. It looks identical except for a few extras, dipstick tube, a gear selector shaft on both sides of the box, and what looks like a speedo pickup just in front of the propshaft connector plate. I'll try to post some pics in the next day or so.
It would be really cool if I could use the dipstick, I'll have a look underneath to see if its possible.
Oh and I also got a brand new ECU thrown in. Bosch with the number 96 041 130. Not sure about that, but I presume it is correct for the Senator.

[Shackeng]

ID plate



Dipstick tube and what appears to be a selector shaft on the RH side of box.



Is this the speedo cable connection on a Senny?



Nice new box.



ECU that came with it. Can anyone help with positive identification of this?

[Shackeng]

It would be nice to use the dipstick, but I doubt it will be practicable, and there is no obvious way to fill this box as the sump has no level plug, only a drain plug.... which would be handy if there was a level plug! Therefore I will swap the sump from mine. I presume the Senny had a filler point in the ATF cooler pipes or similar, or used the dipstick tube which has an 'o' ring seal on the outside end, so another sealed pipe connects to it.
If space is available for fitting to the car with the tube still attached, I could leave it in place with the existing transit plug on the end, however, if that is not an option, I would hope to remove it without damaging the mounting hole.
Ideally I would then tap the hole and fit a screw plug, unfortunately, this is liable to introduce aluminium swarf into the front sump. I could remove the sump before tapping, and hope to catch any swarf, as the dipstick presumably appears in a clear area of the sump. Does anyone have any good ideas as to how else to plug this hole?