Ok ladies and gentlemen
Now I haven't posted anything on these forums for a good long while, but a rather distressing spate of transmission-related issues with my old XC Barina over the most recent 3 months has prompted me to gently inform you all of the ramifications of NOT keeping a Hawks-Eye on your ATF - It's level and much more importantly, its condition.
Now this article is going to be a tad long-winded, but do read it anyway...
The story goes back to January this year, when I sold my XC-Barina, in order to invest in my current Zafira. (Barina's still in the family, just not mine now).
Now from January through to roughly Mid-August, the Barina ran as smoothly as it ever ran whilst I owned it, since I poured serious dollars into its upkeep.
Shortly after having a 180'000km service performed though, it started registering multiple fault-codes, in conjunction with the Transmission Warning Light coming up on the dash.
These digital fault-codes, without exception, all indicated serious malfunction issues with a number of transmission components, including:
1. Transmission Input Speed Sensor. (RRP $285.00)
2. Transmission Output Speed Sensor. (RRP $285.00)
3. Transmission Shift Solenoid-E (Solenoid-E in the case of the Barina, involves the operation of the Torque Converter Clutch)
4. Transmission Control Unit (RRP $998.00)
Other digital fault codes indicated:
1. Incorrect Transmission Gear Ratio
2. Illumination of the Transmission Warning Light. (Yes, there is a code for the warning light too. This only comes up, when the ECU, or TCU detects a problem in the first place.)
3. Transmission, upon registering multiple fault-codes, automatically falls into "Limp-Home-Mode", whereby the driver must shift gears manually, starting in 1st, through 4th. This, supposedly protects the transmission from further damage.
First port of call upon experiencing this "Limp-Home-Mode", is a large Holden Dealership at Rosebery. Request initially made to retrieve the fault codes with their "Tech-2" Diagnostics computer.
Fault codes retrieved indicate a malfunctioning Output Speed Sensor.
Output Speed Sensor replaced by Rosebery Holden for a total of almost $600.00.
Fast-Forward to mid October...
Transmission again falls into "Limp-Home-Mode". This time, taken to an independant Transmission Specialist at Penrith.
Fault codes retrieved this time indicate a malfunctioning Input Speed Sensor, as well as Shift Solenoid-E (Torque Converter Solenoid)
OEM Input Speed Sensor replaced by Independant Transmission Workshop @ St.Peters for a total of almost $600.00.
5 days later...
Transmission for a 3rd time falls into "Limp-Home-Mode". This time, taken to Springwood Holden Workshop.
Fault codes retrieved this time again indicate a malfunctioning Output Speed Sensor, as well as malfunctioning Transmission Control Unit (TCU)
Output Speed Sensor replaced by Springwood Holden under Parts Warranty.
TCU replaced by Springwood Holden for a total of almost $1'100.00
1 Day later...
Transmission for 4th time falls into "Limp-Home-Mode". Taken straight back to Springwood Holden Workshop. (Threats made at this point to take the matter to the Dept of Fair Trading)
Springwood Holden claim, upon dropping the Transmission Pan, and draining the ashen black sludge that was once transmission fluid, that the transmission itself had ingested a certain amount of WATER (You read right folks).
That water, so Holden surmised, led to short-outs of the input/output sensors, and most likely the TCU as well.
Where precisely that water came from, remains a mystery. I never had the privilege of seeing this "water" for myself, as Holden conveniently threw it out.
Either the water entered the transmission from:
1. A corroded Radiator Coil that recirculates transmission fluid, keeping it cool. (Apparently, the radiator was losing fluid, upon being pressure-tested.)
OR
2. Water being sucked into the transmission via a Transmission "Breather-Hose".
(This Breather-Hose is located under the bonnet, the end of which in all cases I've seen, is tucked away in a sill, behind the front left-hand shock absorber.
Apparently, this sill is prone to fill up with water if there's rain, or if the car is washed. And so Holden surmise, the vacuum created in the breather-hose as the engine cools down, sucks whatever water is in the sill, straight into the transmission box.)
As a final precaution before recommending a total re-build of the transmission, the following is performed:
1. Radiator replaced with brand-new unit. Old unit is yet to be scrutinised for corrosion.
2. Transmission Breather-Hose re-located to an area of the engine bay that is not subject to water ingress. Breather-hose also inverted, to eliminate any risk of water ingestion.
3. Entire Transmission Fluid flushed out and replaced with "Esso JWS 3305G" ATF. This fluid is manufactured in Germany specifically for GM-Europe. ie all Astras, Vectras, Corsas, Saabs, etc.
This fluid is flushed out not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!!!.
Total Bill for radiator and ATF, (excl Labor) roughly $600.00
GRAND TOTAL SPENT (incl. Labor) +/- $2'900.00
And after all that, no one workshop, be it at Rosebery Holden, St.Peters, Penrith, or Holden Springwood for that matter, could positively identify the root-cause of the problem/s. The common denominator, if you will.
Since the fluid flush-out, the Barina has travelled over 2600kms from Katooma-Sydney-Katoomba-Shepparton-Blacktown-Katoomba in a 96 Hour Period.
And now, it again shifts as smoothly as it ever did, albeit a tad more sluggish off the mark than 12 months ago.
Now, on the strength of all this, I am about to give the Zafira its 105'000km service. BUT THIS TIME, I'M FLUSHING THE ATF AS WELL.
I can't help but feel somewhat paranoid over this saga.
Now since last night, I ran some research on the grade of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) that GM is peddling (Esso JWS 3305G), as opposed to any brand of Dexron III that you may get from a Servo.
And even though GM explicitly say that the automatic transmissions in all Astras, Vectras, Zafiras, etc are "filled for life", ie "never to be flushed", I have no choice but to disregard that advice and flush it out, say, every 30'000-50'000kms.
After all, it's just mineral-based oil, which breaks down just as badly as engine oil, right???
Read the following posts in this UK-based Vauxhall Forum, and decide for yourselves:
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56082
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter though.
Frankly, GM, as well as every other manufacturer that spins this "filled for life" bollocks have alot to answer for, when peoples cars fail from bad/burnt transmission fluid.
Tell me what you think, and how you feel on the matter.
NXK-43Y (nee NXA-16H)
Warning: This is an Old Thread
This discussion is older than 120 days. information contained in it may no longer be current . Please think of the children before resurrecting this ancient thread!
Reply With Quote