Is There A Design Fault With 2001 Auto's

[Grumpy]

I have read several instances in these forums regarding auto box failure on 2001 diesels.

 

Guess what, I have joined this (exclusive ?) club. Is there a design fault on this box or does the diesel Gal overstress it? As the box is uesd in Freelanders I cant see why the Gal seems to suffer.

 

My box started slipping in 4th, it originally hapened after I re-engaged the cruise control whiilst climbing a slight hill, it was as if the box had gone into neutral I normally drive on light throttles but the cruise was a bit more enthusiastic, after this the box regularly slipped in 4th.

 

Fortunatly I had bought a used car warranty and this has proved to be a godsend, for the cost of an excess (the quote was around

[Guest MATT jr]

... i dont know what it is, but theres always something that needs doing! - even when there isnt, it wont be long before something goes pop.

 

with the auto box, the engine produces 310NM of torque, which is very close to the box's maximum (315 or 320 IIRC)

 

in my opinion, when you run something so close to its limit, you are shortening its life.

 

theres also rummer of a common sensor failure in the box, also the fluid is supposed to be changed (according to our manual) but dealers dont seem to do it?

 

theres also this nasty "thud" the box gives now and then, which has been discussed in a recent thread, which i also think must put a lot of strain on it.

 

MJR

[Grumpy]

As a design engineer, I agree that running anything mechanical up to its limit is not a great idea, so by doing so on this car, Ford/VW/SEAT have made a design error, a gearbox should not fail at such low milages, in the USA cars are now sold with manufactures warranties of 100000 miles+, what a laugh that would be here.

 

As you will remember, I have had the instrument panel failure, I have a suspect aux heater, an aircon system going belly-up and the auto box failure. For all its good points, I couldnt really reccomend trhis car to a friend.

[big_kev]

 

with the auto box, the engine produces 310NM of torque, which is very close to the box's maximum (315 or 320 IIRC)

 

 

Should I..........................

 

 

Should I..........................

 

 

 

Nah !......not today

[AndeeeH]

 

with the auto box, the engine produces 310NM of torque, which is very close to the box's maximum (315 or 320 IIRC)

 

 

Should I..........................

 

 

Should I..........................

 

 

 

Nah !......not today

 

Wow......stands back in amazement........It MUST be Christmas. :) :) Andy.

[Guest MATT jr]

Should I..........................

 

 

Should I..........................

 

 

 

Nah !......not today

 

 

:)

 

Tim - you are correct, the Jatco is rated at 325 nm... But running it so close to the limit isn't healthy..

 

whats up kev?

 

MJR

[NikpV]

 

MJR

 

ah I'd forgotten about that thread

 

:D :D

[Grumpy]

Update

 

I recently spoke with the garage that reconditioned my gearbox and was told that there was an aluminium drum within the gearbox that contained the clutches for 4th & 5th and that this component was prone to cracking. Once it cracked, it reduced pressure on the clutches for 4th & 5th and that caused these to start slipping, resulting in loss of drive in these 2 gears. The replacement part is made in steel so should not suffer this failure (so I am told!)

 

This could explain auto failures happening to the same year cars.

[Guest MATT jr]

this is a little worrying.

 

ours is an X reg, reg 2001 1st jan.

 

reckon this has a problematic drum?

 

MJR

[Grumpy]

I guess its the luck of the draw, however it does seem that 2001 tdi's seem to crop up regularly for auto box failure (mine had just under 70,000 miles). A used car warranty is a good way of preventing large bills and therefore good for peace of mind.