VR4 type-s Legnum - gearbox slipping

[AntonyBaker]

Hello

Have only just registered, but wow, at last a decent resource for UK Vr4's.

This appears to be the only post in this thread so i dont know how likely anyone it will be that anyone will see this but here goes...


I'm finding that the throttle of my auto '97 VR4 Legnum type-s is sticking in full auto mode and certainly
sticking longer than expected when in tip mode. symptons are engine revving
and then gearbox eventually catches up and slips into the appropriate gear,
this is in both modes..

The sick car is currently sitting outside my house INSERT INTO post VALUES ( 1 am Tuesday morning ) awaiting an AA low load to a garage later this morning. I managed to find the ATF dip stick for the transmission fluid and to my horror there was no sign of oil.

I have never personally topped up or checked the transmission fluid levels in the two years I've owned the car INSERT INTO post VALUES ( slap wrist for me ).

Could it be that I was running dry and the hot weather helped to finish teh remain fluid reserves off ? Has anyone ever heard of an INVECS vr4 gearbox that leaks transmission fluid ?

what transmission fluid should i advise my garage put in there INSERT INTO post VALUES ( its not going to the official Mitsubishi place as I am afraid they will charge the earth, again ) ?

Apologies for asking so many questions, but its a bit of a worry.

Has anyone ever had this prob with their FTO, and if so, was it expensive ?

Advice greatly appreciated..

ant
Antony.baker1@virgin.net

[-LegnumVR4-]

Sounds like your transmission has been leaking oil or the guy who serviced it last didn't know he was doing. If you ever check your transmission oil on an auto it should be done with the car running and when it is in neutral. Start car, remove dipstick, wipe then replace for 5sec then remove to check fluid level, repeat a couple of times to make sure what the current fluid level is.

The fluid should be a ATF SF2 or 3, i've heard of people using Dexron3 but Mitzy doesn't say anything about using Dexron3 in the trans.

[BraindG]

ouch :INSERT INTO post VALUES (
whens the last time you had it serviced?
who serviced tghe car?
how many miles on the clock?

oh, and there are other posts, they are just over 30 days old.. theres a drop down menu which allows you to change the date

[AntonyBaker]

Hi

The car has not been serviced in the time that I have owned the car, but I believe it was serviced shortly before being sold from Japan, about 2 years ago. Went down to check the transmission level this morning while the car was running INSERT INTO post VALUES ( thanks for previous advice on this ) and with the gearbox in N...there is 'some' fluid in there but the end of the stick was not solidly coated, if you know what I mean...ie. there were spots of fluid on the very bottom of the stick.

the car has 60,000 on the clock...

I'm in a quandry now, do i get the AA to take the car to a proper Mitsubishi garage INSERT INTO post VALUES ( and pay the earth for what might eb a simple problem ) or do I get it taken to a little garage for what could be just a simple task of a top up ?

Also, can the garage top up the fluid through the dip stick hole ?

Cheers
antony

[BraindG]

you really need to get the car serviced every 3000/4500 miles.. then the major services, theres are some posts about it, couldnt find any just now.. but im sure someone can name them of the top of their heads.. I would recommend you have a search for them...

[pjjohnson]

You can top up through the dip stick hole, you need a funnel though. I'd try it first, see if it works. It does seem to add up, low oil, low pressure, high temp, not changing gear.

[Roadrunner]

The auto boxes are VERY sensitive to having insufficient fluid. As said above, I'd top it up first and try it before going down a more INSERT INTO post VALUES (potentially) expensive route. I'd also go with LegnumVR4's recommendation and use ATF SF2 or 3 because that's what is more likely to be in it - by preference, I'd go for the higher-spec fluid. I use Castrol TQ Dexron III in my autobox, at my dealer's recommendation, and it's fine but the original fluid was drained before refilling with that.

Be lucky :)

Brian

[zentac]

Welcome on Board Ant ;)

I would certainly top it up before taking it to a garage. Ive always used dextron 3 in my FTO Tiptronic boxes

[-LegnumVR4-]

Get the garage to lift the car up and have a good look around under the car first to see what is going on. Could be leaking from the sump or the CV's. The transmissions hold about 8.5 litres of fluid so for that to go missing there must be a noticeable place where it 's been leaking. Maybe replace the filter as well.

[AntonyBaker]

The mechanic said the gearbox was near enough completely empty and filled it with a gallon INSERT INTO post VALUES ( a gallon !! ) of dextron. The car is now running smoother than I've even known it too in the two years I've owned it... He had a good look under the car after filling it, and kept it monitored through the afteroon and there are no signs of a leak, so hopefully it was just very dry due to lack of care on my/previous owners part.

Its certainly taught me a valuable lesson, and from now on I will be far more vigilant.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice

ant

[calum]

Get your engine oil and filter changed NOW!!! 2 YEARS!!! Seriously - you will ruin your car INSERT INTO post VALUES (and punish your wallet) through a lack of basic maintenance.

I'm not getting at you - this is real advice.

Calum

[Brind]

Originally posted by calum
Get your engine oil and filter changed NOW!!! 2 YEARS!!! Seriously - you will ruin your car INSERT INTO post VALUES (and punish your wallet) through a lack of basic maintenance.

I'm not getting at you - this is real advice.

Calum

I second that advice!
The VR-4 being a specialist car aswell makes it even more important, it's not like you can go to your local scrappy and replace something like you can an old Sierra.
Mitsubishi parts are very expensive and apparently many parts are even more expensive than the likes of BMW cars.

60,000 miles, has the cambelt been changed? that's a big must too.

[AntonyBaker]

Hi Callum

Havent seen your pic in a while, I contacted you a while back through a friend of yours for advice on why my car was stuck in 'limp home' mode :) Turned out that I had split a wire with a pointed screw while putting the dash back together after wiring in an amp, the screw blew the air flow meter, 900 quid lighter from that little escapade.

Oil filter was changed and engine filled with Shell super helix about 8 months ago, we dont do a great deal of mileage...

yours was the first UK owned Legnum that I found, also inspired me to get my own :)

[AntonyBaker]

Cambelt is due for a change soon :) Will be booking that in shortly...

[andygy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AntonyBaker
[B]Hello

Have only just registered, but wow, at last a decent resource for UK Vr4's.

This appears to be the only post in this thread so i dont know how likely anyone it will be that anyone will see this but here goes...


I'm finding that the throttle of my auto '97 VR4 Legnum type-s is sticking in full auto mode and certainly
sticking longer than expected when in tip mode. symptons are engine revving
and then gearbox eventually catches up and slips into the appropriate gear,
this is in both modes..

The sick car is currently sitting outside my house INSERT INTO post VALUES ( 1 am Tuesday morning ) awaiting an AA low load to a garage later this morning. I managed to find the ATF dip stick for the transmission fluid and to my horror there was no sign of oil.

I have never personally topped up or checked the transmission fluid levels in the two years I've owned the car INSERT INTO post VALUES ( slap wrist for me ).

Could it be that I was running dry and the hot weather helped to finish teh remain fluid reserves off ? Has anyone ever heard of an INVECS vr4 gearbox that leaks transmission fluid ?

what transmission fluid should i advise my garage put in there INSERT INTO post VALUES ( its not going to the official Mitsubishi place as I am afraid they will charge the earth, again ) ?

Apologies for asking so many questions, but its a bit of a worry.

Has anyone ever had this prob with their FTO, and if so, was it expensive ?

Advice greatly appreciated..
Hi I will gladly advice you to use back only Mitsubishi Diaqueen ATF oil back as it is the best for Mitsubishi gearbox cause I have try using very good synthetic ATF and it dosen't work well with the boxINSERT INTO post VALUES (it is very sensitive to other oil)and at the same time I will like to advice you to have a ATF cooler install,it feel a lot difference and the gear changes great.Just my 2 cents worth of comments.I am from Singapore and i believe my car run much hotter here than where you are and after 4 and half year with the car i have not encounter any problem with the box yet INSERT INTO post VALUES (change my ATF at every 12000km to 15000km)

[matthew slade]

I am no expert on VR4's but I have imported several cars from the far east. A note to all people who own imported cars, cars must be shipped dry, that includes engine, gearbox and fuel tank. All fluids should be checked on an import car as soon as it arrives in the country.