Technical Punto speedgear issue

[Numptey]

I have started to drive my wifes Punto Semi Auto thingy (sold my Seicento) and noticed it doesn't change up properly when trying to go a bit faster (she drives very slowly) when I try to push it it makes an odd noise that I cant quite describe. Could this be something to do with oil levels or is something sinister happening. Ive tried to check on here but cant quite find the answer I am looking for. I understand Dave may know a thing or 2 about this by the previous posts I have read.

 

[Ziggy122]

Dave and MEP (most eastly panda's) are your 2 guys here

Its 100% worth your while checking the fluid level and condition
I've heard people say that sometimes a fluid / filter change can make the box behave like new again, so worth it imo if its done some milage an no history of it

Ziggy

 

[Numptey]

Thanks for replying so quickly Ziggy, I am off on holiday in it early next week so I am a little concerned. I think I have found the dipstick for the gearbox but is there any particular way to check it that is accurate as it looked a little low (not much) after a short drive yesterday. I guess a particular oil is also needed?

 

[homeward]

Its 100% worth your while checking the fluid level and condition
I've heard people say that sometimes a fluid / filter change can make the box behave like new again, so worth it imo if its done some milage an no history of it

Have to agree with this. My Speedgear clonked somewhat, when engaging 'first' (i.e. forwards) from standstill, when I bought it. A new filter (mandatory -- but can be expensive, and a pain to source: although Shop4Parts recently had them on offer, IIRC...) and the recommended oil (in the right quantity...) made a huge difference...!
Numptey: nice to see you back on here in the Speedgear; but sorry to hear the Sei has gone....

 

[homeward]

Thanks for replying so quickly Ziggy, I am off on holiday in it early next week so I am a little concerned. I think I have found the dipstick for the gearbox but is there any particular way to check it that is accurate as it looked a little low (not much) after a short drive yesterday. I guess a particular oil is also needed?

The way to check the oil is definitely when the car has warmed up; and you've changed gear a few times, to 'stir' the oil up....

This should be what you found... -- and I'm sure it is...!



It should be clear, and between the max and min marks.

 

[Numptey]

Hi Homey, yeah been away for a bit, I check in every now and then and as its one of the best forums I will always be here somewhere. Sad to see the Cento go as I have had her from new (11 years). But shes with a nice lady who will love her too (her boyfriend turned up in a 900cc Cento so I was happy to let her have it). Where on earth is the filter and what oil should I use? Do I check hot or cold and keep reading about this reset door opening thing but surely that cant be true?

 

[Numptey]

Answered my question before I asked lol

 

[Numptey]

See you have the same car as us (1.2 2002 ELX).

 

[Numptey]

I have just checked and it looks exactly like that but I am at work so cant run the oil around to check the levels currently. My that filter looks hard to change in that position

 

[homeward]

Where on earth is the filter and what oil should I use? Do I check hot or cold and keep reading about this reset door opening thing but surely that cant be true?

The filter (as I'm sure you've spotted) is the big black think next to the dipstick, labelled 'CVT'.

This is from the handbook -- and is for a 'hot' check (personally, I always do this, rather than a cold one...):

The Speedgear automatic gearbox oil lubricates and cools the moving mechanical parts but above all governs the hydraulic operation of the gearbox itself [hence new oil making the gearbox behave "like new"...]. Consequently, the oil is an essential part of the gearbox and for this reason the oil level must always be included between the two reference lines... on the dipstick.

Recommended oil type [and I wouldn't use anything else...]: Tutela CVT N.G., synthetic base oil, containing wear preventing additives.

Change the oil and replace the internal filter every 40,000 km.

Frequent top-ups possibly indicate a leak. Have the car checked....

Check the oil level on the dipstick after driving at least 10 km with the engine idling and the car on level ground. The level should reach the reference line with the word H [for hot].

Before checking the automatic gearbox oil level, position the gear lever at P.​

I think that's everything you need to know...!

Answered my question before I asked lol

Only because these are common questions with the Speedgear...! My psychic powers don't work until I've had my second espresso of the day... -- and I'm still on my first.

The door reset thing, as far as I know, is a load of bolloidal objects. dave will confirm, I hope....

 

[homeward]

I have just checked and it looks exactly like that but I am at work so cant run the oil around to check the levels currently. My that filter looks hard to change in that position

You can do a cold check, then:

Before starting off, with the engine idling and the car on level ground, the oil level on the dipstick should reach the reference line next to the word C.​

...and the filter can be a bit of a pain to remove: as it can feel like it's welded on. (There are a couple of threads on here, somewhere, about it. Searching for the words "speedgear" and "filter" should find... -- sorry, but I'm just on my way out....) Being such a small object, and with such relatively tight access, means that you need the right tool, really, to get at it.

Here, dave or Most Easterly Pandas are definitely the go-to guys....

 

[Numptey]

WOW thanks Homey, I think even an idiot like me can follow those instructions. I will have to get the parts and oil from a main dealer as I don't have time to resource them elsewhere and hope my mechanic can fit them.

 

[Numptey]

Only because these are common questions with the Speedgear...! My psychic powers don't work until I've had my second espresso of the day... -- and I'm still on my first.

Your psychic powers are fine, but then you know this already

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If you do change or top up the fluid remember it has to be specific CVT oil, not generic automatic gearbox oil

 

[Numptey]

If you do change or top up the fluid remember it has to be specific CVT oil, not generic automatic gearbox oil

I will get the one Homey said honest, Im not hot on Auto gearboxes but suspect financially stupid thing to do to get the wrong one?

(As a foot note, this feels massive compared to my Seicento, but damn ugly to look at lol)

 

[dave]

pop into chadwell heath, nick should do you a good price on the oil n filter and he wont try and sell you the wrong stuff. ive always needed just under 4 ltrs (3.6)

still prepare for a shock as even with FF discount on filters they are still a lot compared to an engine filter.

 

[Numptey]

pop into chadwell heath, nick should do you a good price on the oil n filter and he wont try and sell you the wrong stuff. ive always needed just under 4 ltrs (3.6)

still prepare for a shock as even with FF discount on filters they are still a lot compared to an engine filter.

Never shocked with cars Dave, I gave up saying "how much" years ago. I bought my Cento from them originally and had servicing, mot etc for the first few years, bet they don't remember me though lol

 

[Numptey]

Oil level Looks a bit high to be honest. I think this may have started after a drive down the M4 as it never goes anywhere normally. I think the oil may have been changed 18 months ago but the wife doesn't drive much so not many miles. I suspect not the correct oil was used but I have no way of knowing for sure. Would this make change up poor and noisy?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Oil level Looks a bit high to be honest. I think this may have started after a drive down the M4 as it never goes anywhere normally. I think the oil may have been changed 18 months ago but the wife doesn't drive much so not many miles. I suspect not the correct oil was used but I have no way of knowing for sure. Would this make change up poor and noisy?

Is it a rich blood red or a dark / dull red (burnt)?

 

[homeward]

You shouldn't feel any gear changes at all, never mind hear them....

If it's not got CVT gearbox oil in, of the specific spec -- and I don't want to panic you unduly, here... -- I have no idea what the consequences are. I know I would be toying with having the gearbox flushed through, though, before putting the right stuff in....

Is there not a bill or receipt, hanging around somewhere, showing what was put in, last time it was serviced...?