Overdrive filter

[Dan stag]

Hi guys. I'm sure this must've come up before but I can't find it on the forum. If I were to take the overdrive sump off to clean the filter will I loose all the gearbox oil? Overdrive can be a bit sluggish so I thought I'd try a clean up.

[Mike Stevens]

Although probably not all, but most of the oil will come out through the overdrive. I assume from your description it's a 'J' type?

Apart from being somewhat messy when it comes out, it's no big deal to top it up again when you've finished.

Cheers,
Mike.

[john 4d]

"no big deal to top it up again"
Really?
Mike, how about you can come and try to do mine, any time!

John4D

[Rubce]

"no big deal to top it up again"
Really?
Mike, how about you can come and try to do mine, any time!

John4D

Hi John

Buy yourself a gear oil syringe from Halfords. They make filling the gearbox with oil a straight forward activity provided the car is raised up slightly (level) so that you can creep underneath.

Regards

Bruce

[Dan stag]

Thanks for the replies guys. The old girl is on axle stands at the mo so shouldn't be too difficult to change the gbox oil. I've got to fettle the starter solenoid while I'm at it.

[pcoleman]

dont forget to check the pressure filter too,its a tad tricky to get out but do able with care or you need special tool etc etc ( being a sad B*****d I do have this if you're stuck)

peter

[Mike Stevens]

"no big deal to top it up again"
Really?
Mike, how about you can come and try to do mine, any time!

John4D

With one of them small squeezy bottles, I've not had many problems. Mind you, it does depend on how tight the filler plug was put back in the last time!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Marco Polo]

Hi guys. I'm sure this must've come up before but I can't find it on the forum. If I were to take the overdrive sump off to clean the filter will I loose all the gearbox oil? Overdrive can be a bit sluggish so I thought I'd try a clean up.

Dan,
If your overdrive is sluggish, can I suggest you remove the overdrive solenoid and replace the orings in the shuttle valve? Its a cheap and easy fix for this problem. Use a cork from a wine bottle to plug the hole when you remove the solenoid and you shouldn't loose too much oil. You will need to make a spanner to remove the solenoid as access is limited. To refill, I use a length of garden hose with a 90 deg. plumbing fitting at one end and a funnel at the other. Feed the hose down the side of the gearbox from inside the engine bay, plug the plumbing fitting into the gearbox and fill the gearbox with oil. It's a lot less mess and you don't have to jack up the car. (If you have the correct tools to remove and replace the plug).
Hope this helps,
Raoul

[jleyton]

Hi Dan,

I've watched this post with interest as I've had overdrive problems - hopefully in the past

There's a couple of very good points that Raoul makes about plugging the hole with a cork and I love his filling idea. Thanks Raoul I must try it next time.

Anyway, if you decide to remove the filters, you are supposed to use a special pin wrench, but I have always found that if you fit a pair of drills snugly into the holes, cutting bit outwards, then you can undo the cover with a screwdriver at 90 degrees between the two drills.

Also, I'd say that Raoul is both right and wrong (No offence intended Raoul !) to say its easy to remove the solenoid. Yes it's easy, but ONLY IF you've made a special spanner as he describes. It needs to be only about 1/4" thick and 3 or 4" long - it's 1" AF IIRC. I've got one here somewhere if you want to borrow it - as long as I can find it

Good luck.

Cheers

Julian

[DJT]

To refill, I use a length of garden hose with a 90 deg. plumbing fitting at one end and a funnel at the other. Feed the hose down the side of the gearbox from inside the engine bay, plug the plumbing fitting into the gearbox and fill the gearbox with oil. It's a lot less mess and you don't have to jack up the car.

Sorry if this seems obvious, but I guess that you are aware that there is a removable plate in the passenger footwell (RHD) for access to the auto 'box inhibit switch. Remove this (4 screws) and access to the filler plug is much easier. Although I do concede it would be easier still if there was a similar access a bit further back.

Dave

[davidf]

Hi John

Buy yourself a gear oil syringe from Halfords. They make filling the gearbox with oil a straight forward activity provided the car is raised up slightly (level) so that you can creep underneath.

Regards

Bruce

Following your suggestion, bought one of these yesterday - haven't tried it yet, but it looks the business.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgg500-500cc-oil-suction-gun

David

[Marco Polo]

Hi Dan,

I've watched this post with interest as I've had overdrive problems - hopefully in the past

There's a couple of very good points that Raoul makes about plugging the hole with a cork and I love his filling idea. Thanks Raoul I must try it next time.

Anyway, if you decide to remove the filters, you are supposed to use a special pin wrench, but I have always found that if you fit a pair of drills snugly into the holes, cutting bit outwards, then you can undo the cover with a screwdriver at 90 degrees between the two drills.

Also, I'd say that Raoul is both right and wrong (No offence intended Raoul !) to say its easy to remove the solenoid. Yes it's easy, but ONLY IF you've made a special spanner as he describes. It needs to be only about 1/4" thick and 3 or 4" long - it's 1" AF IIRC. I've got one here somewhere if you want to borrow it - as long as I can find it

Good luck.

Cheers

Julian

Thanks Julian,
The best bit about the cork is you get to enjoy the wine first!

I made a "special spanner" by cutting the jaws off from a normal 1" spanner and reattaching them by welding at 90 deg. to their original postion. The jaws also need to be shaved/filed/ground
to fit between the solenoid and overdrive case. Ill post a picture in the morning. We have a social engagement tonight and I'm running short of time! I'm aware of the removeable plate, but that means pulling up the carpet over the tunnel and risking spilling oil inside the car, trust me the garden hose, plumbing fitting and funnel tool is easier, I've used it on most of the cars I've owned.
Cheers,
Raoul

[john 4d]

Bruce,
No luck with Halfords, Gloucester or Cheltenham, I might as well have been speaking Mandarin from the blank looks I got when explaining my requirements, looks like Machine mart's going to have my business tomorrow, thanks David for the link, I hope they have one in stock.
John4D

[Rubce]

Following your suggestion, bought one of these yesterday - haven't tried it yet, but it looks the business.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cgg500-500cc-oil-suction-gun

David

Hi David

That's the beasty

Bruce 8-)

[Westfaling]

Remember that there are suction (flat) and pressure (cylindrical) filters to be cleaned. Biggest problem I've had is stopping the cover from leaking you can't torque the tiny bolts too tight for risk of stripping them and it's hard to keep the gasket surfaces clean when working from below with oil everywhere.
Nick