checking/adding tranny oil

[guilio2008]

Ok, so for the first step before I start checking other stuff that deals with the tranny problem I have, i found a small drop of tranny oil thinking maybe it is low on oil that I just need to add some and it will solve my problem of being hard to shift out of gear, etc...(being optimistic) One question. Where is the dip stick? I looked into the owners manual and seen a section that deals with that but it seems like a hassle to do this, but before I start taking stuff off, want to make sure this is it or if there is an easier way to do so and if this is also where to fill it up at?

Thanks,
guilio

[esprit888]

Nope, it is a hassle You have to disconnect the speedo cable and remove the housing to check the level.

Ok, so for the first step before I start checking other stuff that deals with the tranny problem I have, i found a small drop of tranny oil thinking maybe it is low on oil that I just need to add some and it will solve my problem of being hard to shift out of gear, etc...(being optimistic) One question. Where is the dip stick? I looked into the owners manual and seen a section that deals with that but it seems like a hassle to do this, but before I start taking stuff off, want to make sure this is it or if there is an easier way to do so and if this is also where to fill it up at?

Thanks,
guilio

[Candles]

It can be done without taking anything off, but IIRC is easier with the coolant reservoir 'moved' to one side and the big black plenum intake hose off. Then, you need a ridiculous contraption of socket extensions to get a 10mm (IIRC) socket down there to release the speedo drive. After that, it's all easy!

I thought it was such a pain that on mine, I converted one of the spare shifter housing bolts into a very fine bore fill port. Then a level check becomes a drain and refill with the correct quantity, but the speedo (now electronic) sender stays firmly in place!

[Monty]

or remove the blanking plug and replace with bolt and seal (same as the drain bolt) just as Isuzu intended

There was a thread and photo of this but no idea were thats gone too

[GeoffSmith]

Links referred to by Candles and Monty.

[Jackonicko]

I'm not sure I want anything to do with tranny oil...........

[rip]

It can be done without taking anything off, but IIRC is easier with the coolant reservoir 'moved' to one side and the big black plenum intake hose off.

I'd be stunned if anyone can get to the speedo sender without taking off the intake hose & moving the coolant header tank.
Once you've changed coil packs, fitted a short-shift kit & new gear cables, moving these 2 out of the way becomes a routine job

The speedo sender is quite low down too. You can see it until you put your hands down there to work on it. If you've not got used to working by feel yet, you will do soon.

[Monty]

Found an old pic, this is Pinky ones gearbox and noticed there was a bolt head welded to the blanking plug so replaced that with the same bolt as the drain one with a rubber O ring

[guilio2008]

Ok. So before i start this little journey, let's narrow some things down. When I started the car, I noticed that it lundge forward a bit, like the clutch was stuck a bit. However, the knob wasn't in a gear. Another thing is I notice a leak where the transmission is at. Now, can lose of oil cause the tranny not to want to go into gear or the clutch to stick?

Thanks,
Guilio

[Candles]

If it is low on oil and really dragging, it could cause these symptoms. I'd check before even starting the engine again.

[guilio2008]

Ok. So I tinkered with it before I took it to the only repair shop in Pittsburgh.

One thing, checking the oil level and pulling off speedo cable, wasn't that bad and I didn't need to use all those driver assemblies or pull off the reservoir, etc...True, poor design on lotus end, but it wasn't impossible...

Anyhow, As I was driving, again, noticed that shifting into gears up to forth, no probs, but when you shift down, nope...get it into 5th gear, you wasn't getting it out....had to bring the car to a stop, let out of the clutch, the engine would bog down like the clutch was engaging if it was in neutral, then drove it again. When I was stopped at a light, put the car in first, if you let off the brake, the car would not drift even with the clutch pedal pushed in...as if the clutch was engage. Got it to the shop, they determine it needs a new clutch assembly. Not going to talk about the cost, but to me, seems like it did have clutch problems so we'll hope for the best on this on. Will let everyone know when I get back.

[owentec]

You might want to check to see if one of the nuts has come loose under the gearbox end cover. If this happens, the fifth gear separates from its synchro, which has the effect of causing a lot of gearbox drag and difficulty in changing gear. Its relatively easy to fix, and you don't have to take the gearbox out to do it. From your description, this sounds more likely than clutch failure.

Owen

[guilio2008]

Thanks Owen and not to sounds like and idiot, but I know about cars and I don't know about cars. So where is the gearbox end cover at? Picture maybe?

Thanks,
guilio

[rip]

So where is the gearbox end cover at? Picture maybe?

Check here, 4th post down.
Even better, the end cover has already been removed
The picture is taken via the front left (US driver's side) wheel arch. Access to get the end cover off is a bit restricted in places, but not too bad.

One of the large nuts visible was very loose (the one on the right I believe). This had allowed the gears to slide down the shaft & the spacers move. This was the cause of my problem.
This is a bad piece of design really. The shafts rotate in opposite directions, so one of them tightens itself & the other loosens itself...A left-handed thread should really have been used so the other nut would tighten itself.
Although I was able to see what was wrong, just tightening the nut did not help because the gears needed re-seating.

My mechanic was able to spin the shaft & the gears settled back to where they should be, but don't ask me how he managed that!
With the gears back in place, he tightened the nuts back up, re-assembled & re-filled with oil.
Some of the gears (mainly 5th) had suffered some wear but not too badly. This has made it a little stiffer to select 5th but & I've driven about 6000 miles on it since without issue.

If you read my symptoms, you'll find that they are not quite the same, but they are similar.

[guilio2008]

Well, replacing the clutch wasn't it. The car seems to lock in place and not move even when the clutch is pushed in. Then let out of the clutch, the car will moved, and shifting, but sometime not wanting to go into a gear till you come to a stop. Any idea what it maybe causing this?

Thanks,
guilio

[racerstev]

I must be doing someting wrong, I got the 10mm out as well as the plate, no problem. Then I get a wrench down to the
VSS and snap it loose with a 22mm wrench but it won't spin far because of the speedo cable. SHould the cable spin in the
housing?

Steve

[Enright]

I think that once the plate is out of the way it should just pull out with a bit of resistance from the seal, but can't remember offhand. Have you downloaded the manual? What does it say?

[Specky]

Like Enners says... just pull/lever it up,

don't mess with the speedo cable, pound to pinch of s**t you'll break it

I'll post a pic shortly of what it looks like removed

TTFN

[Specky]

Just dashed out.... did it, photo'd and uploaded...

5 minute job

Here we are :-

Find it...



Remove the 10mm bolt and locking plate



pull/lever it up as an assembly, (a pinched seal to boot)



read the level



Hope that helps

TTFN

[Steve A]

5 minute job

yeh if the gearbox happens to be out of the car
Good photo's you can't make it any clearer than that
You need a new oil seal