Marina Automatic gearbox

[Chris Edgar]

My wife's 58 Tourer has a Marina engine & automatic box..it's all a bit of a mystery & the Marina Haynes manual doesn't give much away.

Now, suddenly, it won't change into top gear any more.
I will probably need specialist help...heaven knows the cost.

In the event that it may not be viable to fix, does anyone know if a marina manual box would be a straight swap?
Obviously I would need to re-fit a clutch & find a clutch pedal etc etc

Chris

[MarkyB]

Have you checked that there is enough ATF in it?
Check the manual for what temperature it should be at, and what gear it should be in to check first.

My guess is that the manual box will need a different flywheel.

[Chris Edgar]

Thanks Marky,

yes I'm sure that there is enough ATF, the dipstick says so anyway. Not sure that I entirely trust it though as, when it was fitted (probably between 6 & 11 years ago, it was apparently deemed necessary to fit the filler/dipstick to the opposite side of the box, so who knows if it is a "true" reading.

As for the temperature, I don't know & the manual does not say anyway.

I will have to weigh up the cost of:
Manual replacement/clutch/flywheel & other bits & pieces vs the cost of repair of the auto.
If it comes to that....

Feeling a bit depressed at the mo'
BTW it is (was) really nice to drive in town traffic

regards,
Chris

[mike.perry]

I know nothing about auto boxes but I would have thought that there are tests that can be carried out before commiting to repair or replace.
Is conversion to a manual box with all the extra work going to be much cheaper than an auto repair?

[Chris Edgar]

Thanks, Mike.

it may well not be cheaper, when I think about it...I will make some enquiries tomorrow with specialists if I can find someone locally.

Chris

[MarkyB]

I'd find out the right procedure for checking the fluid before being sure the level is correct.

Typically you have to run the engine, select all gears then put in a particular gear before checking.
It's not like checking engine oil at the torque converter needs to be full first.

Has the ATF ever been changed? It doesn't last for ever and if it's black and manky looking is probably well past it's best.

Auto boxes are quite robust if serviced and not abused, like everything else really.

[bmcecosse]

First thing to do is - change the oil! And inspect the old oil to see if it shows signs of 'burning'.

[Chris Edgar]

ATF changed today, sump plate removed & de-gunged , fluid a bit black.

No evidence that kickdown cam or valve jammed.

Will see what tomorrow brings!

regards

[nigelr2000]

We had a similar problem on the road train a couple of years ago and this guy fixed it. Identified the model of box just by looking at it and knew the exact amount of ATF required off the top of his head.

Jack Dain Transmission Repairs
45 Whiffler Road
Norwich
Norfolk
NR3 2AW
Tel: 01603-407372
Fax: 01603-413707

They are very knowlegeable and even if they are too far away from you its worth a call to see what they think the problem is, you could always get it too them by carrier as its not very big.

[Chris Edgar]

Hello Nigel,

thanks for that!

I have had to arrange for a specialist in Preston to have a look at it...my incompetent efforts have proved fruitless.

Car is to be ignominiously transported away tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile I will go through the house looking for all the money lying around the place.

Teach me to buy a Moggie with fancy mods!

[Chris Edgar]

Hopefully the last word on this thread!

basically the innards were in a sorry state
Seems that the car must have been stood for a long time at some point & after all the fluid had drained away from the working parts moisture had entered via the breather tube for a while.
This had caused interior corrosion to the extent that the linings had begun to separate from the clutches & the brake bands. Bits of lining were floating about inside!
I saw all the damage for myself.

So, now have a fully reconditioned gearbox & torque converter, all under warranty.

Cost serious money, more than it would have cost to go back to manual,
but.... the job's a good 'un

Off to buy some more lottery tickets

Chris

[bmcecosse]

Well done - a rare beast an automatic Minor!

[Chris Edgar]

Yes, Roy

it is a pleasure to drive, especially in town!

regards
Chris