Auto gearbox refill level

Geoff · 6th February 2009, 14:55

Organised a service at my local garage in Ventnor on Monday and ensured that they had all the kosher Unipart filters and correct auto gearbox fluid and loaned them my Haynes manual.

When I called to see if finished, the chap said 'Bit of a problem with the auto gearbox fluid, there's no level plug'. To cut a long story short, having drained about 4 litres of fluid (incidentally it looked clean, but the car has only done 42000 miles) he couldn't find the level plug and neither could his mate, despite the photo in the manual, so he phoned the former Rover agent in Ryde who told him 'There isn't a level plug, the customer will have to bring the car here and we will put it on our computer to check the level'

Well:
1. Can a computer check a fluid level? Perhaps on the later cars there is a sensor instead of a level plug? - my car was new in November 2004.
2. Not wishing to faff about I asked him to put 4 litres of new fluid in, which he did and have now covered 100+ miles and all seems fine.

Next steps - do nothing?, go to nearest Rover agent? but why is it different to manual. Incidentally, the mechanic thought the gearbox looked different to the photo in any event.

Your advice and comments much appreciated.

David3807 · 6th February 2009, 16:14

Have a look at

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto

Right column of PDFs - 5 from bottom -Jatco Auto Transmission Fluid Servicing

Should be very careful cos I think level plug can be confused with another which, if removed, completely knackers the box. There is a pic somewhere clearly showing which is which. Will have a look and post later

David3807 · 6th February 2009, 17:05

And the PDF attached to this post:

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...4&postcount=56

James.uk · 6th February 2009, 17:09

The auto boxes on these cars are incredibly complex to work on, and that includes the oil changes.

I seem to recall the +/- amount of oil is tiny! and critical! -- The job also has to be done with the oil at the right temp, requiring constant monitoring..

I advise you to take it to your nearest autobox specialist asap and have the job done correctly..
.

David3807 · 6th February 2009, 17:10

And the pic of 'the bolt that must never be removed'

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...0&postcount=40

Geoff · 6th February 2009, 18:01

and all I was trying to do was a 'proper job'!

I'll call the Rover dealer in Fleet who supplied and serviced the car for the first 3 years now I am back on the North Island (as residents of the Isle of Wight call it) and see what they have to say, but I guess I will have to let them have a look.

It seemed like a good idea as the garage in Ventnor is just up the road and their labour rate is about 50% of the ex Rover and now Renault dealer.

Thanks for the information

David3807 · 6th February 2009, 18:47

Geoff, the important things to note when changing the fluid are :

The correct fluid MUST be used. Its available from any X Part dealer

The fluid must be at the correct temp which I think is between 35 and 40c

The car must be level when the fluid is changed.

Apart from that not really complicated. Getting the temperature correct is the only reason why the dealer computer (T4) is used. It cannot say what the correct level is.

The fluid will cost you about £25 or so from an X Part dealer for 5 litres. The change will need about 4 to 4.5 litres.

It should take about 30 minutes to do. But the normal operating temp of the auto box is about 80c and does need a while to cool down so that it probably wont be just popping in for 30 minutes - you would have to leave the car with the dealer for a while.

David3807 · 6th February 2009, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff

and all I was trying to do was a 'proper job'!

I'll call the Rover dealer in Fleet who supplied and serviced the car for the first 3 years now I am back on the North Island (as residents of the Isle of Wight call it) and see what they have to say, but I guess I will have to let them have a look.

It seemed like a good idea as the garage in Ventnor is just up the road and their labour rate is about 50% of the ex Rover and now Renault dealer.

Thanks for the information

Not Thomas Day in Fleet by any chance ???

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=32794

Geoff · 7th February 2009, 19:37

That's right - Thomas Day of Fleet. We bought a 2001 model from them and p/ex'd it for this one in 2004. Nice people to deal with.

I did ensure correct fluid was used, and your comment re correct temperature does explain the need for computer, but as it was very cold in Ventnor and the car was there overnight before they finished the job I don't think excessive temperature could be a problem. I have the auto fluid container and it has about 1 litre left in it, so fingers crossed, but I am still minded to ask Thomas Day to check it.

David3807 · 7th February 2009, 20:34

Think you may need to find another dealer Geoff . Click on the link in my previous post - dont think Day's are in business any more

6th February 2009, 14:55	#1
Geoff Regular poster 75 cdti auto contemporary SE tourer 2004 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wokingham,Berkshire &Ventnor IoW Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Auto gearbox refill level Organised a service at my local garage in Ventnor on Monday and ensured that they had all the kosher Unipart filters and correct auto gearbox fluid and loaned them my Haynes manual. When I called to see if finished, the chap said 'Bit of a problem with the auto gearbox fluid, there's no level plug'. To cut a long story short, having drained about 4 litres of fluid (incidentally it looked clean, but the car has only done 42000 miles) he couldn't find the level plug and neither could his mate, despite the photo in the manual, so he phoned the former Rover agent in Ryde who told him 'There isn't a level plug, the customer will have to bring the car here and we will put it on our computer to check the level' Well: 1. Can a computer check a fluid level? Perhaps on the later cars there is a sensor instead of a level plug? - my car was new in November 2004. 2. Not wishing to faff about I asked him to put 4 litres of new fluid in, which he did and have now covered 100+ miles and all seems fine. Next steps - do nothing?, go to nearest Rover agent? but why is it different to manual. Incidentally, the mechanic thought the gearbox looked different to the photo in any event. Your advice and comments much appreciated.

6th February 2009, 16:14	#2
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Have a look at http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto Right column of PDFs - 5 from bottom -Jatco Auto Transmission Fluid Servicing Should be very careful cos I think level plug can be confused with another which, if removed, completely knackers the box. There is a pic somewhere clearly showing which is which. Will have a look and post later Last edited by David3807; 6th February 2009 at 16:17..

6th February 2009, 17:05	#3
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	And the PDF attached to this post: http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...4&postcount=56

6th February 2009, 17:09	#4
James.uk Passed Away 2002 Pale Blue. Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur auto. 170K miles Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Near the M67. Posts: 14,509 Thanks: 199 Thanked 585 Times in 397 Posts	The auto boxes on these cars are incredibly complex to work on, and that includes the oil changes. I seem to recall the +/- amount of oil is tiny! and critical! -- The job also has to be done with the oil at the right temp, requiring constant monitoring.. I advise you to take it to your nearest autobox specialist asap and have the job done correctly.. .

6th February 2009, 17:10	#5
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	And the pic of 'the bolt that must never be removed' http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...0&postcount=40

6th February 2009, 18:01	#6
Geoff Regular poster 75 cdti auto contemporary SE tourer 2004 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wokingham,Berkshire &Ventnor IoW Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	and all I was trying to do was a 'proper job'! I'll call the Rover dealer in Fleet who supplied and serviced the car for the first 3 years now I am back on the North Island (as residents of the Isle of Wight call it) and see what they have to say, but I guess I will have to let them have a look. It seemed like a good idea as the garage in Ventnor is just up the road and their labour rate is about 50% of the ex Rover and now Renault dealer. Thanks for the information

6th February 2009, 18:47	#7
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Geoff, the important things to note when changing the fluid are : The correct fluid MUST be used. Its available from any X Part dealer The fluid must be at the correct temp which I think is between 35 and 40c The car must be level when the fluid is changed. Apart from that not really complicated. Getting the temperature correct is the only reason why the dealer computer (T4) is used. It cannot say what the correct level is. The fluid will cost you about £25 or so from an X Part dealer for 5 litres. The change will need about 4 to 4.5 litres. It should take about 30 minutes to do. But the normal operating temp of the auto box is about 80c and does need a while to cool down so that it probably wont be just popping in for 30 minutes - you would have to leave the car with the dealer for a while.

7th February 2009, 19:37	#9
Geoff Regular poster 75 cdti auto contemporary SE tourer 2004 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wokingham,Berkshire &Ventnor IoW Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's right - Thomas Day of Fleet. We bought a 2001 model from them and p/ex'd it for this one in 2004. Nice people to deal with. I did ensure correct fluid was used, and your comment re correct temperature does explain the need for computer, but as it was very cold in Ventnor and the car was there overnight before they finished the job I don't think excessive temperature could be a problem. I have the auto fluid container and it has about 1 litre left in it, so fingers crossed, but I am still minded to ask Thomas Day to check it.

7th February 2009, 20:34	#10
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Think you may need to find another dealer Geoff . Click on the link in my previous post - dont think Day's are in business any more