Automatic gearboxes

[silverbambi]

Hello VW California Owners Club members. I need advice. My beloved 21 year old Westfalia California Advantage has a wrecked automatic gearbox. It has a left hand drive if that makes any difference.

We are close to Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. I would welcome any advice and suggestions on good people to talk to regarding a complete rebuild as that is what I believe is needed now.

Currently I am talking to Ian Gibbins at Herts and Beds Transmissions Ltd in Baldock, who was recommended by my local garage. They specialise in manual and automatic gearboxes. Silver Bambi

 

[WelshGas]

Hello VW California Owners Club members. I need advice. My beloved 21 year old Westfalia California Advantage has a wrecked automatic gearbox. It has a left hand drive if that makes any difference.

We are close to Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. I would welcome any advice and suggestions on good people to talk to regarding a complete rebuild as that is what I believe is needed now.

Currently I am talking to Ian Gibbins at Herts and Beds Transmissions Ltd in Baldock, who was recommended by my local garage. They specialise in manual and automatic gearboxes. Silver Bambi

Another source of recommendations would be the T4/T5 Forum.

Search results for query: Auto Gearbox rebuild

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

 

[California Bubble]

Try Doug at DL Autos Graveley.
07903171541

 

[silverbambi]

Try Doug at DL Autos Graveley.
07903171541

Thanks. I will give him a ring Monday. If he cannot help maybe he knows someone who can rebuild an automatic gearbox so it is a reliable drive.

 

[silverbambi]

Another source of recommendations would be the T4/T5 Forum.

Search results for query: Auto Gearbox rebuild

www.vwt4forum.co.uk

Thanks. I have already checked that source. Not getting names of people who can rebuild an automatic gearbox and give me back a reliable vehicle. Appreciate the thought. Now wondering if I am expecting too much. I am not a mechanic. I need good guidance.

 

[B J G]

Possible source??

VW Gearboxes - reconditioned VW gearboxes / transmissions

Reconditioned / Re-manufactured VW gearboxes for most VW vehicles. Fitted, or collected, remanufactured and delivered. Also available from stock.

www.reconditioned-gearbox.co.uk

 

[silverbambi]

Possible source??

VW Gearboxes - reconditioned VW gearboxes / transmissions

Reconditioned / Re-manufactured VW gearboxes for most VW vehicles. Fitted, or collected, remanufactured and delivered. Also available from stock.

www.reconditioned-gearbox.co.uk

Hello B J G, Good suggestion.

I haven't tried this – which is a bit silly of me. Trying them now.

Do you, or anyone you know, have experience of these people. Solid references would be good for our whole VW community. Silver Bambi

 

[Perfectos]

I have not used this company so cannot recommend, although they appear to be close to you and have good reviews

Gearbox Specialists | Eco Torque Gearbox & Clutch Centre | England

Eco Torque Clutch & Gearbox Repair Specialist. Reconditioning Manual, DSG & Powershift Transmissions. Clutch Replacement At Great Prices!

www.eco-torque.co.uk

 

[silverbambi]

I have not used this company so cannot recommend, although they appear to be close to you and have good reviews

Gearbox Specialists | Eco Torque Gearbox & Clutch Centre | England

Eco Torque Clutch & Gearbox Repair Specialist. Reconditioning Manual, DSG & Powershift Transmissions. Clutch Replacement At Great Prices!

www.eco-torque.co.uk

Thanks for your advice. Go well, Gordon (Silver Bambi)

 

[B J G]

Hello B J G, Good suggestion.

I haven't tried this – which is a bit silly of me. Trying them now.

Do you, or anyone you know, have experience of these people. Solid references would be good for our whole VW community. Silver Bambi

No experience personally of any Gearbox repairer.
I'd be inclined to get the gearbox removed by a local garage, unless you can DIY, then take it to a gearbox specialist for exchange or repair personally, hire a little van if necessary.

Good luck.

 

[silverbambi]

Thanks for your concern and advice B J G.
I am finding local garages don't wish to know about automatic gearboxes. It appears to be a specialist's job, with people still getting ongoing problems. As a non DIY guy this scares the life out of me.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks for your concern and advice B J G.
I am finding local garages don't wish to know about automatic gearboxes. It appears to be a specialist's job, with people still getting ongoing problems. As a non DIY guy this scares the life out of me.

But they might be prepared to remove and refit a reconditioned unit, or the company supplying the reconditioned unit might have installation garages in your area.

 

[silverbambi]

I am following up with various people now. Who to trust to do a proper job is my worry, as I read of people getting a rebuild and still having on going problems. I want to be able to drive myself and my wife all around Europe as I used to do – as an old and harmless couple.

 

[Perfectos]

Good luck, please update the post to assist others when you have a suitable resolution

 

[WelshGas]

I am following up with various people now. Who to trust to do a proper job is my worry, as I read of people getting a rebuild and still having on going problems. I want to be able to drive myself and my wife all around Europe as I used to do – as an old and harmless couple.

I suppose it all depends on whether the new gearbox is rebuilt with new parts in total or reconditioned with faulty parts replaced.
Cheap is cheap for a reason and I would be looking for a good warranty.

 

[B J G]

Thanks for your concern and advice B J G.
I am finding local garages don't wish to know about automatic gearboxes. It appears to be a specialist's job, with people still getting ongoing problems. As a non DIY guy this scares the life out of me.

Auto boxes are no different in remove/install than manual ones. A bolting job.
The difference comes in the internals which are a specialist zone.

A garage may not want the Cali sitting about which is where an exchange unit speeds the process up, you could have the replacement ready to fit as soon as the faulty one comes out.

 

[Perfectos]

With the added benefit that a recon exchange unit should have a guarantee

 

[squiz]

Hi there my first post !
I have had 2 t4 with auto boxes, the first one started playing up but a fluid change and a front mounted fluid cooler to lower the fluid temps sorted that out and was a dream to drive after. Vw say it is a sealed for life box, but fluid and filter changes really help to preserve the box's life. Caveat being you must use the correct yellow fluid which is capable of sustained higher temperatures than red dextron 3 fluid. Often good intentions backfire if fluid is changed using wrong fluid as the box will cook itself in no time. I tried to save my second box but the red fluid previous owner added ruined it so I have swapped it for a manual box.
All that is all well and good but what you asked for is a good recommendation for a fix...I am on the t4 forum as others have hinted there is tons of threads on there and every time one name comes up and thats mackies in Glasgow. You would need to remove the box and ship it up to them for a recon but by all accounts they are the best in the business.
If you search mackies and t4 forum you should see loads of good words about them, I must add though I haven't used them myself.
Good luck with it, I loved my auto when it was running smoothly, I love the new manual box even more though !

 

[silverbambi]

Auto boxes are no different in remove/install than manual ones. A bolting job.
The difference comes in the internals which are a specialist zone.

A garage may not want the Cali sitting about which is where an exchange unit speeds the process up, you could have the replacement ready to fit as soon as the faulty one comes out.

Hello B J G, I have gone for a specialist rebuilder in Aylesbury. He has been a regular outside company for rebuilding and sorting problems on automatic gearboxes for a BMW dealer. He has built T4 auto boxes before. Not cheap, but then what is. Thanks for your interest.

 

[silverbambi]

Hi there my first post !
I have had 2 t4 with auto boxes, the first one started playing up but a fluid change and a front mounted fluid cooler to lower the fluid temps sorted that out and was a dream to drive after. Vw say it is a sealed for life box, but fluid and filter changes really help to preserve the box's life. Caveat being you must use the correct yellow fluid which is capable of sustained higher temperatures than red dextron 3 fluid. Often good intentions backfire if fluid is changed using wrong fluid as the box will cook itself in no time. I tried to save my second box but the red fluid previous owner added ruined it so I have swapped it for a manual box.
All that is all well and good but what you asked for is a good recommendation for a fix...I am on the t4 forum as others have hinted there is tons of threads on there and every time one name comes up and thats mackies in Glasgow. You would need to remove the box and ship it up to them for a recon but by all accounts they are the best in the business.
If you search mackies and t4 forum you should see loads of good words about them, I must add though I haven't used them myself.
Good luck with it, I loved my auto when it was running smoothly, I love the new manual box even more though !

Hello squiz, Good first post. I have gone for a specialist rebuilder in Aylesbury. He has been a regular outside company for rebuilding and sorting problems on automatic gearboxes for a BMW dealer. He has built T4 auto boxes before. Not cheap, but then what is. Thanks for your interest.
How difficult was it to change to a manual? Was it a more expensive option than have a rebuilt automatic. I would prefer manual.
Good information on lubricants to use.
You are correct about mackies as I have read comments about them as well.
Go well. Gordon (Silver Bambi)

 

[squiz]

Hello squiz, Good first post. I have gone for a specialist rebuilder in Aylesbury. He has been a regular outside company for rebuilding and sorting problems on automatic gearboxes for a BMW dealer. He has built T4 auto boxes before. Not cheap, but then what is. Thanks for your interest.
How difficult was it to change to a manual? Was it a more expensive option than have a rebuilt automatic. I would prefer manual.
Good information on lubricants to use.
You are correct about mackies as I have read comments about them as well.
Go well. Gordon (Silver Bambi)

I am on the south coast at Christchurch and about 2 miles from me in new Milton is cali campers, I limped the t4 to him with the autobox on it's last legs, 2 days later I drove out with a fully converted manual. Mine is a late model t4 with the 102 bhp engine so he fitted a gearbox from a late model caravelle in the same spec engine wise, so it has the higher ratio non vw made gearbox which makes for a great motorway cruiser. You wouldn't know it was ever an auto as everything is swapped with factory parts as original. It was £2k in April last year and has transformed the van, I love it !

 

[silverbambi]

With the added benefit that a recon exchange unit should have a guarantee

You are correct. I will be asking for this. A 12 month guarantee with unlimited mileage seems to be spoken about.

 

[silverbambi]

I am on the south coast at Christchurch and about 2 miles from me in new Milton is cali campers, I limped the t4 to him with the autobox on it's last legs, 2 days later I drove out with a fully converted manual. Mine is a late model t4 with the 102 bhp engine so he fitted a gearbox from a late model caravelle in the same spec engine wise, so it has the higher ratio non vw made gearbox which makes for a great motorway cruiser. You wouldn't know it was ever an auto as everything is swapped with factory parts as original. It was £2k in April last year and has transformed the van, I love it !

That sounds very interesting especially as we are in the middle of a move to Dorset. Will check out cali campers. Is that the correct name?

 

[squiz]

Yep, Cali campers !
They have a few hundred t4 in bits, it's an epic place !

 

[Perfectos]

That’s where all T4’s want to retire

Cali Camper | T4 Parts Specialist

Cali Campers are the largest independent T4 parts specialist in the UK. Based on the edge of the New Forest on the South Coast. Contact us with any enquiries. 07770 827527.

www.calicamper.co.uk

Edit: they do T5/6 parts as well