1992 V6sei auto gearbox repair

[MTXM]

Some of you may recall earlier posts on my most recent acquisition and I thought I would start a new thread on the major work that is at last underway. I acquired the car as a project some three and a half years ago but I have not manged to launch forth before now, mainly due to ongoing issues with the earlier auto, now hopefully resolved. Just to recap briefly the late S1 cobalt XM has a broken box and the story from the last owner was that the torque convertor failed and after a repair the car drove only a short distance before loosing all forward gears. The car then spent about eight years stored in a garage compound before being passed on and sold on the bay for spares or repair. Needless to say I could not resist the challenge and a deal was done for a modest sum before transporting from Hebden Bridge W. Yorks to Norfolk. Although a non-runner the journey was made uneventfully and after a few days outside my house with new starter motor and battery life was restored. The engine is really sweet due to only 75,000 miles travelled with a mint leather interior, although the bodywork has suffered due to the storage with a few holes in the cills and bodywork dented and scratched in places due to rough handling at garages. Fortunately I was able to reverse into our garage for further inspection and checks, that include optimistically installing another gearbox valve block and pulling the governor. Anyway over a couple of weekends both the engine and gearbox were removed and the box should be dropped off at a local specialist later this week. With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here are a few photos of the work to date. Regards, Matthew T.

[Dean]

Looks like you will be having some fun over the coming months Matthew, the car looks very clean from the photo's.

Good luck with it, i suspect the failing torque converter has allowed debris into the box or somehow damaged it when the failure accured.

D

[Dieselman]

75k miles is a nice, low number.

Other than the cills, what condition is the body in?

[russ92xmsed]

Best of luck with the rebuild Matthew. It does look like a good one.
Similar scenes to mine at the moment... hopefully not for long.

[MTXM]

Thanks chaps and it is good to be getting on with the work at last after an embarrassingly long delay! Apparently after the initial work on the box it drove for a couple of miles, which was exactly what happened with my car. The specialist who helped me last time suggested incorrect shimming but all will be revealed in due course. There are a few dents and scratches in the bodywork and mainly around the rear end and the back bumper is badly cracked and crudely repaired but otherwise the condition is good and reflects the low mileage I guess. All the best of luck with the resurrection of your car Russ! With regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

Thanks Matthew. Nearly ready, hopefully, to reassembly. A long winter hiatus and getting some well known bits that like to break improved, have delayed it.

Been a year now since I last drove it. Too long. Far too long!

[MTXM]

That is good news about you nearing reassembly Russ and can we see some photo? I quite understand about the delay and how months and even years can pass! With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

I have now heard back from my auto gearbox specialist, who has partly stripped the box and discovered burnt out clutch plates! It is understood that there are a number of possible causes for the failure, including insufficient lubrication and incorrect assembly. The box will need a full rebuild and thorough clean and the torque convertor, valve block and oil coolers will require some attention. I have also received a quotation of £1,200 plus VAT for parts and labour that seemed quite high and more than I had expected, although a couple of other local firms gave similar figures. After previous experience I would like to do the work properly and not face another future removal! I do have another spare 'good' box with around 90K, but I do not know the full history and again would not really want to take the risk of failure after all the effort to remove and refit! Any comments and advice would be appreciated before I take the plunge and commit. With regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

Ouch! That is a lot. Though it's what I would have expected.
Sounds like like you might have to bite the bullet and go for it. Even if you got the other spare box done, that will surely be similar expendager.

Wonder what happened to cause burnt out clutches at that low mileage. Must have been low lubrication as your specialist suggests.