HELP - Advice needed
 

Okay, so I'm not going to go into huge detail but....

1. I don't have a pot to **** in
2. My 144 DL Auto has had about £3k spent on it in the last 18 months
3. My autobox is FUBAR
4. I love the car, my kids love the car
5. Spent £350 last week getting it MOTed

What on earth am I to do?

weeping (again)

“Never give up on what you can’t go a day without thinking about”


“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Is there not a company down your way Auto Trans that repair and recondition all ages of boxes??

I would ask the specialist for a bit of advice. They will have dealt with everything at some point

Very often we have had cars that our workshops have condemned the gearboxes yet when they get dropped off at our local super hero "Charles Butler" they are as good as new in no time and at a fraction of the cost of even second hand replacement

Billy - I drove my '68 column-change auto to my store on its last day of legality: it was condemned by the (only) previous owner due panel and sill rusting. Mechanically it was fine and the auto box is still in it, although some engine parts have been used on my 144.
An option for you would be to consider replacing your gearbox like-for-like. I hear you mutter one problem - how do you know how good or bad mine is internally; I reply find out the cost of having it refurbed (if necessary) prior to fitment to your car.
I can't drive my car anywhere now although it rolls. Also I'm not a qualified gearbox engineer so can't vouch for anything, plus am currently getting over an eye operation so can't drive or do much yet. The final hurdle as I know roughly where you live - my car store is about 2 miles inland from Bognor along the south coast. Check the distance for inspection on the 'net: you are quite welcome to, with prior agreement as I'd have to blag a lift there from my son right now.
If you know a trustworthy south-coast engineer who could be your eyes, we can do that. Give it some thought.

Paul

Who says so?

Keep at it . what ever the bills are they will be a fraction of bills on a modern car, you could easily spend £3000 getting an XC90 up to scratch .. ! It will not take much more to get it right ...

If the auto box is faulty , it is such a simple box that it can be rebuilt cheaply there are two good gearbox overhaul companies in Bristol .. Or pick up a good working second hand one for £50

The days of £50 used gearboxes are a little go but even so a used gearbox is most likely going to be your cheapest option.

What is wrong with the gearbox. It might be just a case of needing a simple repair.

Will,
Paul's offer sounds like a good one. Swap in his gearbox, then keep your old one to be refurbished when funds allow.
John

Also, have you had a diagnosis of the particular problem with your gearbox?

I know very little about auto boxes, but Harvey's post on your other thread is definitely worth following up. If you're lucky, it might just be a loose adjuster!

Hi All - okay after all that initial fretting, it turns out it just needed a new O ring on the operating servo. In fact whilst the sump was off, we could see that there it was very clean in there - clean ATF and no swarf.

That said - I have decided to sell the 144. It's taken this latest episode to make me realise it is unrealistic for me to run a 48 year old car on a showstring, let alone get it prepped, re-sprayed and looking good. I have zero disposable income, no drive, no garage and need to ferry my kids around daily, so......

....see the classifieds!!!!

Thanks all