Another one bites the dust....

[Goran]

I hope you find a cheap-ish solution. The auto is such a nice car I am very tempted to keep mine. If only SynchroS8 could take us all on a gearbox repair course, didn't he take his apart recently and fixed it for a small amount of money?

[Reffro]

Originally Posted by Goran

I hope you find a cheap-ish solution. The auto is such a nice car I am very tempted to keep mine. If only SynchroS8 could take us all on a gearbox repair course, didn't he take his apart recently and fixed it for a small amount of money?

I was going to perhaps suggest seeing if he would tackle the refurb of the box for an appropriate consideration and undying gratitude.

[Goran]

Would this be an option, assuming they return the 'core charge'?
And assumint it is a reputable place.

http://europeantransmissionscom.x-sh...roductid=16211

[Norretal]

Well, I'd like to start off by saying thanks for all the responses, you've all helped convince me I really need to look into keeping my D2 on the road. I was hoping to be convinced by knowledgable people that it'd be the right thing to do and it's safe to say I have been. I've had a few days lying about in the sun to ponder it and I've come to the conclusion that repair / refurb / replacement is the right thing to do. I'll start looking into the options as soon as I get back from holiday.

I'm someone who doesn't see my car as just a means of transport, I'm quite fanatical about cleaning it and keeping it right. I've had it almost eight years now, done 40,000 miles and its been a joy to own. The fact I've spent £3k + over the last eight months says enough about how much I enjoy owning and driving it. To throw in the towel when the first major mechanical thing goes wrong just doesn't seem right. I really like the D2 and I could buy a nice S8 for five or six thousand but I'd still have a car more than ten years old and then potentially have the same issue in the future whereas I get mine fixed and I've got peace of mind (gearbox wise anyway!) and many more years of motoring in a classic car.

So, I'll see how the fault develops when I get back, I assume its in rapid decline once it starts hesitating between second and third gear, is that a sure sign? I've noticed that shifting from park into reverse (it's parked on my drive which is an incline) produces what I can only describe as a "crack" which has become more noticeable recently, sound familiar? I've also become aware of what sounds like a bearing noise (they were both renewed recently when I changed the front suspension arms to fit Brembo's) at a certain speed but I'm now thinking it could be specific to second gear only, is this also a sign that anyone has noticed before it went altogether? Sorry about all the questions but I'm aware that people on here have far more knowledge and experience than me, and may be able to give me some pointers on what to do, and what not to do. I've noticed on the transmission sticky for D2's that there is a place 30 minutes from me called Advanced Transmissions, anyone had any dealings with them and willing to provide feedback?

Once again, thanks for all the good advice, very much appreciated. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what I decide to do.

[tintin]

I think you've made the right decision, especially if you're planning on keeping the car for more than a year or two.

My experience was that once the 'box started to show signs of going, it deteriorated pretty quickly. I had a gearbox oil flush, and that just accelerated the problem, so I'd suggest not doing too many miles in it before you put it in to get it fixed.

I'd recommend Mackies, who did mine, and here's the link to their website

http://www.mackie-transmission.com

Although this cost 3k, and is in Glasgow, it's much more than a refurb - the 'box is completely dismantled and rebuilt, with any suspect parts replaced and in some cases upgraded (e.g. the torque converter). I've been running it for six months now, and am completely happy with the job they did. If you need any more info on them, there's a bit more on the thread I started when mine started to go - or just contact me directly.

Brian9, the Laird, Davids'8, and probably PsYcHe also know quite a bit about these guys, so they may be along with more info - I think they were trying to negotiate a group discount at one point

[Adrian E]

The crack sound may just be if the car is creeping on the handbrake till the transmission lock is hard on - mine does this on steep inclines. When you first attempt to select a gear it tends to be quite stiff to move the lever and will make a cracking sound

[Norretal]

Well, it's taken a while but I promised I'd give an update when I was in a position to do so.

My original post was just after I left on holiday and I'd driven my 8 after it had stood on the drive for around ten days. It was a short trip of around ten miles and during the return journey it developed a serious "shunt" when changing up, which was just like the early symptoms that tintin described before his gearbox gave up. I listened to all of your advice and decided if it was the gearbox I'd get it refurbished rather than sell or scrap the car.

Once I got back from holiday and drove it again I noticed that the "shunt" wasn't as regular, or severe, and felt more like a misfire at random times, right through the gears and rev range. At one point it spluttered at low revs taking a corner and the cat light illuminated and stayed on.This seemed to confirm it was more a fuel / electrical problem than mechanical. The car was already due a full service and MOT which I'd booked for after my holiday so in it went. The outcome was that there were 15 fault codes logged when it was hooked up and when these were cleared two kept coming back up, one being a lambda sensor and another I can't remember. The garage wanted to take it to somewhere else local for a second opinion before replacing the sensor but suggested that my troubles could be due to my infrequent use of the car, and the fact I don't really travel very far when I do take it out (they know me and the car well, so their suggestions had some foundation! )

So, while they were waiting for an appointment at the place with the better diagnostics I took the car back (it'd been serviced and MOT'd by now) and made a point of driving it much harder than normal, really "clearing the pipes" as it were. I also intended coming down to AITP on Sunday to give it a good run out but finances didn't permit it, especially with the work I'd had done still to pay for. I returned the car to them on Monday, reporting that it hadn't missed a beat during the time I'd had it back. They rang later to say the fault codes hadn't returned and they'd decided it wasn't necessary to get that second opinion, so maybe a good thrash had helped. who knows?

I collected it yesterday, immobiliser wire renewed (what a PITA that had evolved into, so glad it's sorted), two new rear callipers, service and MOT done as mentioned earlier. Quite a sizeable bill but only a fraction of the £3,000 bill for a gearbox that I thought I was going to have only a few weeks ago