Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

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mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:34 pm

I'm mid way through the repair of the automatic gearbox right now. Pictures show the sump as first removed, with some tiny particles at the bottom which I'm not going to worry about. When my Mercedes went in for a fluid change 8 years ago, and I ended up with an £800 bill, there was metallic sludge in the sump on that. I'm not sure what the plate spot welded to the inside of the sump is supposed to do, but it isn't, as it looks, a bit that has fallen off inside. But I've also found a small round magnet stuck up in the pipes exposed by removing the sump. Obviously there to attract metallic particles, I can't remember reading about it in the manuals so i'll have to look that up again. It can probably only do more good than harm, but I'm not sure it is a standard fitting. As long as it cannot become dislodged and get somewhere it isn't meant to be, but if I wasn't doing this job myself, I'd have no idea it was there.

One corner of the sump is well bashed back and the bolt in that corner was loose. Other bolts were very tight, tighter than I expected, but the sump holes don't seem especially domed. The bashed corner hasn't done the straightness of the sump flange any favours though. The old cork gasket came off in tiny pieces, I had to scrape it off with a Stanley knife blade. Very compressed and no doubt its been very hot. The dip stick tube has a flared end like a big brake pipe, and no rubber seals or anything. I'm just going to use Loctite 542 on the threads. The sump plug (screw) has a rubberised-looking washer still stuck to the sump pan. I've got nothing like that to replace it with, so i'm just going to hope for the best that it still seals.
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Morris McKinnon
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by Morris McKinnon » Fri Aug 31, 2018 12:41 pm

Looks nice and clean. You could try B&Q for washers in the plumbing section.

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:16 pm

I'm no stranger to B&Q through work. I can't remember seeing anything like the washer. It's a big diameter with a small hole. I think it will seal again actually.

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Fri Aug 31, 2018 1:29 pm

Yes there is a magnet, the Autobooks 850 manual says so but not Haynes. It also says to use Loctite on the sump plug threads so I'll do that. It also says if you see any bits in the sump, take it to an agent but that's not going to happen. Not after I had the Hornet for five years and bought it unknowingly with a main bearing that had picked up producing metal shavings in the oil. Classic car dealer as well. I found that out too late after doing an oil change six months into ownership. Worried me sick but after five years and regular oil changes nothing ever happened.

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MarinaCoupe
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by MarinaCoupe » Fri Aug 31, 2018 2:03 pm

I have all sorts of washers, if you can describe the dimensions (OD & ID).

Fibre, copper, nitrile O rings, Dowty washers.

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Fri Aug 31, 2018 5:33 pm

Thanks Chris but I've been back under the car again away from my phone! It's back together now, it just needs filling with ATF. I think that washer will be fine. The least of my worries. I put a little hydraulic thread lock on the threads of the plug, and the dip stick tube union. That sump was a bit bashed. And the metal was thicker and harder to bend than I'd been led to believe looking at forums on the BW transmissions. It's been a while but I got most of my useful info off a Stag forum. So I've nipped the sump bolts up, cylinder head style, just using a 1/4" rachet and holding the head not the handle, progressively going round until they all seem to offer the same resistance without the new cork gasket being crushed flat. I was trying to use a steel rule and also my kitchen worktop as a surface plate, trying to assess the flatness of the sump flange. No way could I get it perfect, but I hoped the tiny amount of distortion would pull out as I nipped the bolts down. Time will tell when I get the ATF in and run it...

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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Fri Aug 31, 2018 10:02 pm

I wrapped up for the day not having started it up after putting four litres of ATF back in, because while it was up on wheel ramps I got distracted and started picking at scabs on the underneath, that I'd not noticed before, and black waxing them. And greasing the very dry looking transmission selector linkage. And I took the plugs out to look at the colour after setting the mixtures again on Wednesday, after the MoT, and of course it had been given a 40-ish mile run to the Horse and Groom and back, and the colour looks okay to me. The book says, regarding refilling with ATF, a normal refill without draining the torque converter should take 3 litres, but I measured what I got out and got 4.150 litres. Maybe it's because the nose is in the air and more drained out of the converter? The last time I checked the level was after my blasts up and down the Derby bound A50 in humid weather, trying to see if it would run hot at speed, and I must have done 20 or 30 miles before going home and dipping the ATF, and as I recall it was a gnat's below hot maximum. No sign of it being overfilled, so four litres has gone back in and I'll see how it goes. It's a piece of cake draining some out if it is too full after the initial start up. I swear I could smell strawberries when I was pouring that red stuff in! :lol:

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:48 pm

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Well it looks dry to me. This is after an overnight stand, starting up, checking levels, and a half hour drive. I've put new white spill mats on the drip tray under the car but even if I only get a little drop I'll be happy. It isn't like the levels dropped drastically before on the autobox, but it leaked constantly even when it wasn't used. A long overdue job.

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Morris McKinnon
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by Morris McKinnon » Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:54 pm

Good job, and with that new strawberry fluid she should run nice and sweet now ;) :lol:

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Pont.skins
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by Pont.skins » Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:01 pm

Morris McKinnon wrote: Sat Sep 01, 2018 7:54 pm Good job, and with that new strawberry fluid she should run nice and sweet now ;) :lol:
Until you get stuck in a jam! :-D ....................I'll get me coat!
Pont.Skins

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Sat Sep 01, 2018 8:18 pm

:lol: :lol: :lol: Oh....

When I had to take some out because it looked too full, it looks more like blackcurrant.... :-D

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Sun Sep 02, 2018 8:16 pm

I do believe I may have to fiddle with my carburettors again. After the car was 'weakened' to pass the MoT, when I got back to looking at it I reckoned only the rear carb had been adjusted, such was the amount I had to richen it to make the Colortune flame burn yellow. And that carb was the one that fed the plugs that looked a bit glazed a couple of weeks ago, following my garage man's setup last year. The car is pulling like a train at the moment - its a real joy to drive with that MGB soundtrack, and I love being able to show a clean pair of heels pulling across roundabouts and pulling away from traffic lights when I see some youngster in an invariably black hatchback, in my rear view mirror, who I imagine is thinking "Look at that sad old car that's going to hold me up". Then I give it some beans and leave him in the wake of my petrol fumes. Cos yeah, she's a bit whiffy still. 100% no leaks under the bonnet or from the fuel lines, but a faint smell of petrol much of the time, detectable under the bonnet if I sniff the carbs, and a bit fuelly at the tail pipe. So too rich, even though my plugs looked to have a light grey-brown deposit the other day? Because I adjusted the carbs so the yellow flame JUST disappeared with the Colortune (no air filter fitted), is it permissible to just weaken both carbs half a flat at a time and see how it goes?

mickthefitter
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Re: Mk2 1.8 HL Automatic update

Post by mickthefitter » Tue Sep 25, 2018 7:56 pm

When I took my Marina out on Saturday I saw I'd got one small patch on the drip tray where the automatic gearbox is still leaking just a little bit. Looking underneath with a torch after my run, it does appear to be coming from the clutch servo plate area at the side of the casing, as identified by Dave on another thread. My new cork gasket on the sump appears to be 100% successful. With such a small leak and what I imagine would be a fairly expensive fix if I took it in, I'll live with it. I also reduced the mixture on both carburettors before my run out on Saturday by turning the nuts 'upwards' just half of a flat each, as last time there was a strong petrol smell after my attempts to reset the mixture with a Colortune, after one or both carbs had been weakened during the MoT - and my belief the car was a bit lumpier after. There was certainly an improvement and after my run I tried to sniff the hot exhaust where the smell had been strong before. It was less strong after my adjustment but still had a slight petrol whiff - I'm afraid I cannot remember if this is normal or not for pre-catalyst cars! My 1998 Escort with a catalyst and ECU does smell quite strongly of petrol on a cold start, but when it has warmed up you cannot smell petrol at all at the tailpipe.

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