Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

[Big T]

Hi although my vehicle is badged as a Vauxhall Monterey - it  is actually a rebadged Isuzu Trooper.  When I posted this problem on a caravan forum another member of ITOCUK forum suggested I join and post my problem on here.  So here goes.

Like Victor Meldrew    "I just don't believe it!!!!!!!!!!"

I have a '98 Monterey 3.2 V6petrol/LPG 4x4 with which I tow an Avondale Landranger twin-axle caravan. 4 years ago whilst towing caravan up to Scotland the autogearbox failed due to the failure of of seal on the autobox. It was a slow leak of fluid and by the time the fault manifested itself in gears "slipping" gearbox was "badly burnt" and had to be rebuilt by John Mackie of Glasgow.   Mackie are highly thought of geabox specialists and on their recommendation I, also, had an additional gearbox oil cooler fitted. Total cost of c£1600.

No further problems with gearbox whilst subsequently towing to Continent twice and twice to Scotland and numerous other shorter solo and towing trips. No problems that is until this summer. Just before setting off for the Continent for summer hols I had the transmission serviced according to the manufacturer's schedule, ie, fluid change after 4 years Towed the van down to Northern Italy including St Gotthard pass on the way down, St Gotthard tunnel on the way back, without any probs with gearbox.

  However near Luxembourg , after towing all morning, on way home, gears suddenly began slipping. I stopped immediately but even as I pulled onto the hard shoulder black smoke billowed from the rear of the car, presumably oil burning on the hot exhaust. There was a great deal of oil on the carraigeway - so much so that the fire brigade came out and sanded the road. Breakdown truck towed us off the motorway and after leaving us at a local caravan site took the car to a lcoal Opel dealer. After few days wait garage declared that it was a problem with an "old oil leak", that it had been rectified and said that we could continue towing on our journey. A little surprised at this as I had suggested that problem might well be the gearbox.

Only 10 miles after starting off the gears agains began slipping and transmission oil warning light came on. Breakdown truck again. Caravan back to site, car back to same garage. Garage then decided serious gearbox failure that could not be repaired locally. We got home home by hire car and our car and caravan have just arrived home on car transporter. Another local gearbox specialist has now advised that the auto gearbox is wrecked due to serious overheating. A new gearbox is needed at a cost of c£1800. I am now in "discussions" with the assistance company as to the wisdom of putting me back on the road without repairing the original fault!!

What is going on with this vehicle I have done all that I should have done to maintain the gearbox? The 'van is well within the towing limit. I generally like the car but I'm not prepared to spend nearly £2K on new gearboxes every 4 years.

Any comments or experiences would be very welcome.

Thanks
T

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[siweb]

err..... well very strange that it would overheat with a extra cooler? fitted.
So was it the same seal that failed the 1st time that failed again?
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[Big T]

Hi Siweb

I'm afraid I'mnot sure which seal failed 4 years ago and I'm still waiting to hear what, if any, cause can be identified this time.  Autoboxes are rather beyond my technical expertise - I tend to trust them to the gearbox experts!!

[siweb]

[Big T]

Thanks for your replies

I have posted on this and other websites, not because I expect a magic answer but to gain further insights.

As someone has pointed out already there is no easy way of checking the gearbox transmission fluid levels or condition as there is no dipstick or anything like that.

I'm afraid therefore that I leave this checking to the gearbox specialists. I had the transmission checkedin April, the 4 year service interval stated in the vehicle handbook. A reputable gearbox specialist has, supposedly, changed the fluid and filter and, when I told him of my previous problems 4 years ago when a seal failed, suggested a "Lucas Additive" which he said would help the seals stay more pliable and effective. He reported that there were no problems with the old transmission fluid and that the magnet was clean. He did say that he had not been able to completely remove the cover from the gearbox sump as there was a jammed stud which prevented him removing the obstructing exhaust pipe. For that reason the job did take longer than he had expected and I was kept waiting around for 2 rather than 1 hour for the job to be completed. As to the truth or otherwise of any of these facts I am in their hands!!??

All that I can say with any certainty regarding my Belgian breakdowns is that something failed on the gearbox permitting a considerable loss of fluid. The fault was not repaired at the garage that the car was taken to. I should have never been put back on the road to tow before the second breakdown only 10 miles up the road.

Cause, proof and liability are my next battles!!

Regards