2.8 Auto 1st Gear Problem

[greg_68]

Hi all,

Please could you point me in the right direction to fixing my problem.

 

I was in a crash just before crimbo front end nearside crumpled. Had a new wing, light and bumper replaced.

Whilst repairing the car they found an oil leak on the gearbox which was a leaking seal which they replaced. It was then sent to a Ford dealership to be refilled with oil.

 

Since it's return it has trouble finding 1st gear when starting from cold. I can rev the car in drive to pull away and nothing will happen, then all of a sudden it will clunk into 1st gear.

As you know autos creep when in drive but mine will just sit there for 10 secs or so and then go into gear.

 

This will carry on for about a mile or so it will then get better.

If I leave it pointing it uphill when I start it in the morning it really struggles to find 1st gear at all.

There doesn't seem to be any problems on any other gear.

 

I will be sending it back to the repair shop but wanted your opinion of what the problem maybe so I am armed with some info because I know they will say it is unrelated to the crash and refuse to repair it.

 

Is it a problem with the gearbox or the clutch?

What are the signs of the clutch failing?

 

Another problem with it is when pulling away uphill from cold I can put the accelerator right to the floor and it will do a max 20mph, again once it has warmed up it is much better. It has never been very good at pulling away from cold uphill but seems worse since the repair.

 

Finally I think it could do with a good tune up and timing belt change, can anybody advise me of a good place to go in the Birmingham area.

 

Thank you very much for any advice given.

 

Greg.

 

(soon to be an ex galaxy owner I think......boo hoo.)

[chromedome]

Sounds like symptoms you get when the fluid level gets too low. Are you sure the dealership filled it correctly?

[Topbloke]

can you confirm if its a manual or a auto pls (confused) :huh:

[chromedome]

One more thing. I don't think the 2.8 has a camshaft belt. What I've read on the forums is that it's a chain on the back of the engine. Engine and gearbox has to come out to change it but don't be alarmed as it doesn't seem to be a weakness/problem.

[greg_68]

Thanks for the replies

It is an auto.

How would I know if the level was low? can you check it yourself.

[Topbloke]

autos can not be checked by the home mechanic properly, the fluid has to be at or above a set tempreture, this is only checkable with the diagnostic kit, when the box reaches the temp the level plug is removed and if no oil runs out then it needs to be topped up, if oil runs out then when it has stoped running out it is set at the correct level, it sounds as if your level is incorrect and was not done properly if however it is correct and there is a fault with the gearbox then surrely this would be covered by the insurance . hope this helps ! ps dont leave this to long as an incorrect level wont do the box any favours

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Agreed - sounds like the level is low and it's not easy to check or top it up. Any chance that the 'box got damaged in the crash? Was there any damage to the wheel or tyre NSF? Driveshaft pushed into box etc etc?

[Guest vr6galaxy]

One more thing. I don't think the 2.8 has a camshaft belt. What I've read on the forums is that it's a chain on the back of the engine. Engine and gearbox has to come out to change it but don't be alarmed as it doesn't seem to be a weakness/problem.

Just the gearbox has to come out in order to change the chain's, in most cases it's not actually the chain's that fail but the tensioners wear and fail allowing the chain's to jump the cogs :huh:

 

You can check the fluid level but it needs to at the right temperature , which is checked by conecting the gear box up to a diagnostic machine, do a search on the topic as it's been covered before includeing a picture of the parts you need to get at

[greg_68]

Thanks again for the replies, yes the nearside wheel and suspension were also damaged / repaired.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

... yes the nearside wheel and suspension were also damaged / repaired.

You may also have "hidden" damage to the 'box then. It may be worth mentioning this to whoever investigates the problem - the original repairers? - and tell that that you may have problems arising form damage that was not noticed during the original repair. I've heard of problems with brake discs and callipers as a consequence of accidents, not noticed at first but only after the supposed repair, and it is possible that the box has taken a knock too - check gaskets for leaks too - distortion caused by accident forces.