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[albitz]

might sound daft but has anyone checked atf level

[philhoward]

I'm curious...as my autobox does the same "slight slippage" in 4th on light throttle loads - once over about 1/3rd throttle it kicks back in, yet behaves fine when cold (apart from hanging onto gears for the first 1/4 mile or so - or is this a wierd "rapid warm up" trick?).

How does the box know light/heavy load?  Is there a vac line to the 'box, or does it actually "talk" to the engine ECU?

I'm not looking too heavily until I get chance to do a fluid change as a first port of call.

[Tony H]

I'm curious...as my autobox does the same "slight slippage" in 4th on light throttle loads - once over about 1/3rd throttle it kicks back in, yet behaves fine when cold (apart from hanging onto gears for the first 1/4 mile or so - or is this a wierd "rapid warm up" trick?).

How does the box know light/heavy load?  Is there a vac line to the 'box, or does it actually "talk" to the engine ECU?

I'm not looking too heavily until I get chance to do a fluid change as a first port of call.

Yup, to get the cats hot quicker

[philhoward]

Found that info in another post somewhere about 10 minutes ago!!

[subliminal]

I've had a bit more or a root around, since the slippage seems to have gotten worse :s

Vac pipes seem fine - engine bay is starting to look cleaner :p

The breathers still need to be cleaned - got the various bits for that today and will do that at the weekend.

Slight leak in rocker gasket still - grr! I was going to drop the car back at the garage that supposedly took care of (small) leak in the first place, but am very tempted to fix it myself and just cut my losses (sigh)

ATF level is fine

I've been back to the autobox people and actually convinced one of the guys there to come for a drive with me! After about 10 mins of him having a go himself as well he was convinced the problem is the torque converter.

I suppose it is a result really! Especially after having been running to various garages in desperate search of a conclusive diagnosis!

Quoted prices are;

£580 for a new genuine replacement
£400 for a new non-vx badged, but apparently the exact same bit
£280 for a reconditioned box (6k warranty)

£150 fitting
£40 fluids

All exclusive of VAT (!)

tbh - I'm seriously tempted to have a look around for a suitable donor vehicle at a scrapyard!

[Entwood]

Might be worth asking in the "Parts for sale or wanted" section, often a few being broken there ...

An AR35 gearbox .. yours will be the AR25....  has just gone for £80 .... big saving

I believe the fitting is not too bad .... several "experts" around to guide you ..

[subliminal]

Thanks entwood - I'll do that now - AR35 / AR25 - I dont suppose these aren't interchangeable are they? tbh at around £100 for the box I dont mind having it fitted, but the total cost is a little prohibitive otherwise.

[subliminal]

Just called a chap with an 2000-reg MV6 estate listed on ebay (as mentioned in the parts for sale / wanted forum).

68k on the clock apparently, but I suppose the difficulty is that theres little way of knowing the condition of it (the torque converter).

[Marie]

Just called a chap with an 2000-reg MV6 estate listed on ebay (as mentioned in the parts for sale / wanted forum).

68k on the clock apparently, but I suppose the difficulty is that theres little way of knowing the condition of it (the torque converter).

Did you ask him why he is breaking the car up? this is normally a good indication as to what wrong with the car and any potentail problems with the gearbox.

i was unlucky and got a box for £80 of ebay but have since found out that the TC seal is tits.

Have you been for a second opioin with regard to you Torque converter, before you start spending more money else where.

[subliminal]

According to the chap the car was a runner with cosmetic damage only - looked like it bumpmed into something with front-side damage...

In an attempt to conclusively diagnose my poor performance / mpg problem, I have so far;

* Taken it to my local garage a couple of times, who has driven it and hooked it up to some sort of diagnostic tool (not a tech2)
* Taken it to a gearbox specialist a couple of times, who hooked it up to some sort of diagnostic tool specifically aimed at the autobox.
* Taken it to a Vauxhall garage for a "full diagnostics" session (@ £40), who has driven it and hooked it up to a tech2.

I have called around a two or three other transmission companies, but none were willing to have a look - one simply put the phone down with a "sorry we dont do those" after I told him I had an Omega!

I'm at a stage now where, though I dont want to, I'm ok with spending the money, as long as it will actually fix the problem, and I'm not being screwed on it. TBH I'm pretty sure I could swap out the torque converter myself, but its a little difficult without a lift

[subliminal]

I've just been reading about your gearbox change Marie - looked like a huge job, but also like a lot of fun! - I'm jealous! My other half is not in the least bit interested in helping out with the car (she's just had a new Mini!), and because I never feel like doing bits on my own I (foolishly) usually end up taking it to the garage) :p

[Kevin Wood]

Hmm. Plenty of people have had gearbox problems before but I can't recall a torque converter failure.

I would be inclined to check the level and condition of the ATF as a first step, and maybe replace the fluid and filter.

Kevin

[Marie]

Hmm. Plenty of people have had gearbox problems before but I can't recall a torque converter failure.

I would be inclined to check the level and condition of the ATF as a first step, and maybe replace the fluid and filter.

Kevin

Kevin is right the first port of call with regards to gearbox problems is a fluid level check, followed buy a fluid change with filters and gaskets. Then if the problem still persists i would then proceed further but until the above has been done i wouldnt carry out any fault finding as the problem could be fluid related!

[Marie]

I've just been reading about your gearbox change Marie - looked like a huge job, but also like a lot of fun! - I'm jealous! My other half is not in the least bit interested in helping out with the car (she's just had a new Mini!), and because I never feel like doing bits on my own I (foolishly) usually end up taking it to the garage) :p

To be honest it was more daughting then big. not knowin what to do at first concerned me. but now i have no worries about takin the box back off again. my only concern is that if i didnt have the help that i am gettin this weekend i might end up makin myself unservicable if the box fell on me! plus without the fellas help i also wouldnt have the range of tools required to carry the job out in the first place!

It is rare to find a women who is willing and able to get their hands dirty and do major machanical jobs, such as workin on a car or aircraft in my case. I find it nice to be different and the hubby likes it until he wants the motor and finds i have got it in peaces yet again! Most people look at me funny when i start talkin about cars mechanically and think i am not capable until  they actually see me carryin out a job!

Dont go takin your car to a garage please i used to worry about my capabilities workin on my car but with the right guidance and eyes lookin over your shoulder you will soon have the courage to get on and do jobs on your own!  

[subliminal]

Thanks Marie - you've convinced to grab the problem by the horns and make the required repairs myself. I have the tools, just need some guts

Took the mig in for an MOT today - passed (which is great), but the chaps at the garage managed to bottom out the car and break my (newly sprayed last month!) Irmsher front bumper off its mounting points. I'm not sure whether to be extremely angry or just to start crying!

Had a second opinion on the gearbox/performance problem today - the chap is convinced (like all of you here) that the problem lies with the engine and not the gearbox. He suggested AMF sensor or a partially-blocked cat converter. I'm going to see about cleaning the air sensor over the weekend whilst cleaning the breathers and will see whats involved with temporarily disconnecting the exhaust system just before the catalytic converter.

Tell you what though, the car is NOT going back to that garage unless it REALLY has to. On a different note, going to flush the ATF on a Mazda 626 over the weekend (I'm sure those gearbox were DESIGNED to burn ATF). Can somethign similar be done to the Omega? We're intending to disconnect the hoses from the cooling system (in the 626's case a small radiator) and then (with the help of two large 10l buckets) exchange the old ATF for a fresh batch.