ATF fluid level wrong?
 

I replaced my V6 autobox cooling radiator (I was replacing the main radiator, and the autobox radiator, whilst not actually leaking was really shonky looking and missing a lot of fins). I drained the old ATF out of the old radiator to give me some idea of how much I should put back (about 750 ml). Following the instructions on topping up the autobox to the absolute letter (correct temp, engine running, each gear selected in term). I removed the level plug (14mm hex on my 2005 car, engine still running) and nothing came out. So I poured some more ATF fluid in (750 ml), still nothing. More fluid (250 ml this time), still nothing out the level plug hole, poured some more in (another 250 mil) , still nothing. I checked that I had removed the right plug (I definitely had).
Before I started all this, the gearbox was absolutely fine (smooth changes etc.) so I assume level was at least somewhere near. So:
Where is all the fluid going? (no obvious leaks anywhere)
Do I just keep filling the box until I get something out of the level plug hole because it just doesn't feel right (am I being overly cautious?)

WHAT ARE YOU USING FOR A LEVEL PLUG? Hope you are using the plug on the bottom of the box and not the plug on the back of the box.


Kev

ATF fluid wrong
 

Thank you for your response Kev - I am sure that I've got the right plug - initially I had my doubts as it is a 14mm hex rather than the allen head cited by Haynes manual but (as far as I can ascertain) the plug design does differ depending on the age of the box. It is the only horizontal plug that is in the right position and I have checked time and time again (self-doubt may be a terrible thing but it has stopped me going tragically wrong on more than one occasion).
I suppose my next option is to take the car to an auto gearbox specialist and get them to check the level...

Here's your next option Andy. :}

You say that you've replaced the 0.75 litres lost during the cooler replacement. You then added a total of 0.5 litres with nothing draining from the level plug.

MG Rover's Technical Bulletin TB0080 Issue 1 says this:

If no fluid loss was apparent when level plug was removed, add additional fluid in 1 litre quantities until fluid begins to drain.

So try adding another 0.5 litres at least.

Simon

See pics on thread 16 and 24 of this post:-
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=124816&page=2
Not sure if this is the same on your model.

The Allen bolt was replaced by the 14mm hex bolt on later cars.

ATF fluid wrong
 

Thank for your suggestions - I'll try the refilling business again -
some more crawling around on the floor in the cold is called for!

Cold and on the floor ???


This any help ???????---:eek:

ATF fluid - operator error
 

Long story short - by following the advice on this forum (once again) I have now successfully topped the auto gearbox.
Some things I learnt along the way:
apparently my neighbours (who are all on lockdown) are as bored as I am but don't have the benefit of a Rover 75 to mess with. So instead, they feel obliged to come and talk with me whilst I'm working on the car - Without wishing to sound churlish, I don't have the greatest attention span anymore and I find that their well-meant attempts at conversation often distract me from what I'm doing. Now I'm not saying that's the reason why I turned the car engine off without replacing the gearbox level plug but that's what I did- obviously the ATF that was busy whizzing around the box then just emptied on the ground. Fortunately I have a cat and therefore access to cat litter which does a great job of soaking up the ATF slick on my driveway (the fact that the ATF is cherry red the resultant scarlet pool meant it looked like I had committed a particularly nasty murder).
Anyway, apart from the loss of some ATF and yet another stain on the driveway there was no harm done and I now have the correct level of fluid in the box. All I have to do now is sort out why the cooling fan is behaving so oddly...