4.6is gearbox - wish me luck!

[sleepyfolk]

Gearbox has always been perfect, no lurches and smooth changes. Pulled out the other day and the transmission slipped, no errors on dash and was slightly better when I’d driven carefully a couple of miles home, a mostly level drive.

Just had her picked up on a recovery truck and off to the gearbox specialist, hopefully a gearbox service rather a rebuild!

[henrym3]

What’s the mileage and have you ever had the oil and filter changed.

[sleepyfolk]

It’s got 107k on it, I did the diff seals and fluids and transfer case when we put the new brake lines on, the pan was so rusty it needed a new one as the drain plug won’t budge so I hadn’t quite got round to doing anything or finding a local “expert”. It’s kind of been on my to do list but was driving so nicely ....!

[henrym3]

Hopefully it’s just a level issue

[sleepyfolk]

That’s what the gearbox man said, as there were no other issues prior, new pan, filter and bolts on the way so we’ll see soon.
Must move some of those other jobs I’ve been delaying further up the list!

[henrym3]

Just picked up the oil, filter and "o" rings today from BMW. £164. Bought a new set of bolts of internet for £3 for 30 and already had a gasket. Thought that was a decent price.

[sleepyfolk]

Might have been cheaper from Cotswold BMW Henry, they quoted me £178 inc vat for the filter, gasket, o-rings and a new sump pan. Not sure how much the sump pan is but would have taken it down a bit.
I find them pretty good for most bits and my local dealer (Ocean BMW) can’t/won’t match their prices.
Drop them an email next time you need anything or PM them on the forum
partscheltenham@cotswoldgroup.com

[sleepyfolk]

Well we’re back on the road, gearbox is behaving perfectly for now, will drop the oil again in 500 miles and see if there’s any junk in there, no doubt this might be the start of something else but it’s ok at the minute

[marti]

Well we’re back on the road, gearbox is behaving perfectly for now, will drop the oil again in 500 miles and see if there’s any junk in there, no doubt this might be the start of something else but it’s ok at the minute

Thats great news, where did you get it serviced.

[sleepyfolk]

Falmouth clutch and gearbox centre on Tregoniggie Ind Est

[marti]

Bit to far for me to go....but thanks.

[sleepyfolk]

Sorry for the long post!

Update, did 200 miles before it slipped slightly after starting and putting in reverse again, then when pulling off in D like last time, just drove home, parked it and sent it over to the gearbox place again.
They said it might need another flush to get the rest of the oil out so it’s had another fill and filter. Picked it up and drove perfectly again.

Got in this morning and had trans failsafe come up on the dash!

Didn’t start it, left it a minute then turned the ignition on again - no warning, started fine buzzed around all day stop/start around 100 miles with no problem.

Popped in to my local indy- Howard BMW in Redruth, he stuck the scanner on and the only warning is for the gearbox position switch, he’s cleared it and said if it comes up again he’ll have another scan and if it’s the same consider changing the switch. Previous owner had one fitted 2 years ago.

Been quoted £600 to remove and re-fit the gearbox, waiting for a quote for a rebuild which will be interesting.

Given that I don’t have any lurching or harsh shifting, no signs of metal or material in the oil, is there anything worth trying before ripping it out and rebuilding it. Seems to be some mention on forums about replacing seals on the clutch solenoids and the valve block as it’s do-able without removing the box.

Do we think this is just throwing good money after bad? Should I just get the bloody thing rebuilt? The place the Indy recommended in Bristol only does a 12000 mile warranty, is this normal - I’d have thought it would be longer if they’ve completely rebuilt it?!

[henrym3]

107k isn’t a lot of miles, I assume you have a good battery, as for your suggestion of solenoid seals/solenoids when you decide on who you want to do the work see if you can come to an arrangement that if new valve block etc doesn’t work they will use that new stuff as part of a rebuild so your not paying twice

[StuBeeDoo]

If the scan said position switch, I'd change that first. Just because it (allegedly) had one 2 years ago doesn't mean it hasn't failed. Or it could be that a ham-fisted fitter damaged the wiring to the switch.

[sleepyfolk]

Probably will change it, just recovering the purse and waiting to see if it comes up again soon, surprised that these places only give 12 months warranty if you are paying a fortune to re-build the box