My octy 1.6 automatic ambiente seems to be misbehaving. The gearbox seems to change like a 5 spd auto rather than a 4 spd auto. furthermore, there is a little "rev" when it changes from 4th to 3rd. Has anyone experienced similar? The gearbox code is FDH

thanks for all replies

What sore of mileage is it on? ZF recommend changing gear oil (or ATF) in their boxes every 50_000 miles (80_000km), and I've seen reports of similar issues on other car makes at about 70k miles when this hasn't been done.

it crossed 100,000 miles (160,000km) last night. i spoke to the service manager, but will do so again this week when it is assessed on another matter

Just an update, the ATF was changed yesterday. When i collected the car, all was well, but this morning, the problem has returned, however, the "rev" between 4th and 3rd is less prominent than before. it was 166000kms when it was changed. Any help is welcome

sorry for ressurrecting an old thread, but i really need some help. a local indy has informed me that the gearbox oil the local dealers use promote the transmission slip and also they overfilled the transmission. the indy is saying i need to change the fluid. they propose to fill it with the transmission fluid plus something which will help to clean out all the filings, then fill it with the "Fully synthetic atf" the indy seems to know alot about these vehicles, but i would just like some confirmation please

cheers

Peter

When you say "gearbox oil", I presume you mean a "normal" manual gearbox oil? If so, then this is way too thick for an auto (typically SAE 80EP up to 90EP, where Auto Transmission Fluid is usually about SAE30).

Leaving the overfilling issue aside. I'd agree with the proposed course of action (drain, ATF + flushing agent, synthetic ATF) just to get rid of the gear oil.

no, i mean a normal auto box oil. when the dealer changed the transmission fluid (i apologise for using transmission fluid and gearbox oil interchangebly) the car had an automatic teansmission

Ah, if it was on mineral ATF, I don't see any need to do more than drain the excess, unless the transmission manufacturer (not Skoda, they buy in, I think from ZF) recommend synthetic.

they are saying that the fluid used encourages the transmission slip. to be frank, the slip is quite horrible. so would it be ok to let them change the fluid to this ATF fully synthetic stuff? (i'll get the correct name later today)

Edit: The grade of the transmission fluid is dexron 3

Edited 30 June, 200917 yr by bajanpete

I'd be entirely happy to use Dexron 3 in an auto; all I'm saying is that I don't see a specific need to spend money on draining and replacing a mineral ATF unless the transmission maker say to use synthetic.

ok it's just that it's still slipping

It could be the oil grade, or it could be the adjustment of the brake bands. In that case, changing the oil is way cheaper than stripping the box to adjust the internals.

thanks, you seem to be a wealth of knowledge

I'm a pretty good diagnostician I know. I was rated as the 3rd best mechanic in my home town, by the 2 best mechanics.

Just an update, it's been diagnosed. Either the transmission seals are leaking and allowing the transmission fluid pass or those muppets neglected to change the filter when they changed the fluid, and the filter is choked. Where do i go from here, can anyone recommend a course of action?

Change the oil yet again, and the filter. I'm not sure it's not a leaky seal, but the oil and filter change is way cheaper than stripping the trans to look for a leak that may not be there.

ok, thanks. Will do that and update as necessary

Just an update. The transmission has gotten a bit worse. It now slips in first gear when the car is just started. I now have to leave it for about 3 mins before i can move without any slippage. I think a rebuild may be in order. I would like to know though, where can i get the transmission service kit (not sure if that's the right name) but i need the one that contains the seals, clutches etc. This is the full kit. If one of you could find out the price of one i'd be most grateful. The car is booked in for sometime next month to have it done, but i'm looking to reduce the cost without reducing the quality.

Regards,

Peter

Have you had the fluid level changed or checked yet. The symptoms you describe sugest either the fluid is burnt from overheating or its run seriously low. Rebuilds of the octy box are rarely needed, with auto boxes its usually the fluid or problems with the brake bands which are easy to sort.

As mannyo said, the bands might need a good looking at.

thanks for that. the fluid was changed at the beginning of the year or late last year. that made no change to the situation. i will get it changed again. how do you look at getting the brake bands checked?

Edit: the flex pipes for the exhaust were busted for most of this year and last year so that may possibly account for the transmission fluid being burnt

Edited 23 December, 200916 yr by bajanpete

With my old auto mondeo, one of the bands started to slip which with this box meant the loss of 2nd gear entirely and when in top gear it would rev much higher than normal as the band was slipping. it cost me about £150 to get the transmissions sorted and that included new fluid as the old stuff was burnt due to the slipping band. If you have a local auto transmission specialist, then go and have a chat, thats what I did with the mondeo when I was almost about to scrap the car until I found out how cheap it was to fix.

Thank You

Edit:

Spoke to the Indy who is looking at the car. He says that the Brake Bands cannot be checked without dropping the transmission. Is this so?

Edited 24 December, 200916 yr by bajanpete

One other thing, I mentioned in a previous post that the transmission slipped in first gear, but only happens one time during the first trip when the engine was cold. I forgot to add, it only happens when i make a right turn. Normally i have to make a right turn onto the main road. However sometimes i make a left turn, and when i make the left turn, there is no slippage. I is also noteworthy that the bearings (or at least what i believe are the bearings) need to be changed. Could these problems be related?

Also i notice a "clunk" when moving off with full right hand lock is on.

Edited 13 January, 201016 yr by bajanpete

Again apologies with the resurrection of this thread, however I have an update

Last Saturday i went about having the fluid topped up in case it was low. It turns out that it took an entire quart of fluid before the old fluid started to come out. Apparently, either it wasnt topped up correctly the first time or there is a leak somewhere. All of the problems have gone, bar the flare which is more or less subtle. The fluid is very slightly burnt and will be changed along with the strainer as soon as funds allow. In the future however, the box will be rebuilt,

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all who contributed for their useful input.