11 replies to this topic

[FluffedUp]

Hi everyone, Thank you in advance for any help that I am about to receive. I will be very grateful.

 

I have recently bought a 1995 Mini Sprite 1275 Automatic. There are problems with the gearbox. When selecting Reverse it just doesn't. I have read that Reverse and 4th gear use the same 'Band' and as when in 4th gear it doesn't slip, squeal or smell of burning it's not the Band that is worn. Also when selecting drive it doesn't straight away. When cold it engages drive very quickly however, when it's up to temperature I can sit there for sometime before it does. By giving it a very little throttle helps it find drive however, then in bangs into gear which cannot be good!

 

My first idea was to change the oil and filter. I've been informed that this will sort out the missing Reverse gear and maybe eliminate the delay in finding drive?

 

Which oil do I use? The Auto Spares place that I use say to use 15W-40 Mineral Oil. They entered my Reg No. into their computer and this is what it came up with. It also came up with a spin on/off oil filter which the car doesn't have as it has the older cartridge type so I'm not so sure they know what they are on about! Or is the classic 20w-50 the way to go?

 

Or is the real answer, a long drive on a short pier? 

[nicklouse]

10-40 not 20-50

[FluffedUp]

Thanks for that. That's now three different oils I've been told
Did you suggest 10-40 through your own knowledge and experience or by a which oil for what car booklet?

[Cooperman]

We all agree that a 10w40 mineral oil is correct for an automatic Mini whilst 20w50 mineral is correct for manual gearbox Minis.

 

I didn't think a 1995 car would have an old cartridge-type bolt-on filter. However, a spin on will work but it needs the housing and bolts to fit the housing. It's a straightforward change and will take around 20 minutes. Don't forget to prime the new filter before fitting it..

[FluffedUp]

We all agree that a 10w40 mineral oil is correct for an automatic Mini whilst 20w50 mineral is correct for manual gearbox Minis.

 

I didn't think a 1995 car would have an old cartridge-type bolt-on filter. However, a spin on will work but it needs the housing and bolts to fit the housing. It's a straightforward change and will take around 20 minutes. Don't forget to prime the new filter before fitting it..

Thank you. I don't normally need to be told twice! I just wanted to make sure. Are you of the opinion that an oil change might sort the drive problems that I mention above?

[cal844]

We all agree that a 10w40 mineral oil is correct for an automatic Mini whilst 20w50 mineral is correct for manual gearbox Minis.
 
I didn't think a 1995 car would have an old cartridge-type bolt-on filter. However, a spin on will work but it needs the housing and bolts to fit the housing. It's a straightforward change and will take around 20 minutes. Don't forget to prime the new filter before fitting it..

Thank you. I don't normally need to be told twice! I just wanted to make sure. Are you of the opinion that an oil change might sort the drive problems that I mention above?

It may help, would be worth a try

[mtjm]

 

Which oil do I use? The Auto Spares place that I use say to use 15W-40 Mineral Oil. They entered my Reg No. into their computer and this is what it came up with. It also came up with a spin on/off oil filter which the car doesn't have as it has the older cartridge type so I'm not so sure they know what they are on about! Or is the classic 20w-50 the way to go?

 

We all agree that a 10w40 mineral oil is correct for an automatic Mini whilst 20w50 mineral is correct for manual gearbox Minis.

 

I didn't think a 1995 car would have an old cartridge-type bolt-on filter. However, a spin on will work but it needs the housing and bolts to fit the housing. It's a straightforward change and will take around 20 minutes. Don't forget to prime the new filter before fitting it..

 

 

All autos were fitted with a cartridge filter. The auto filter head is a different design to the manual, so you can't just swap the filter head and fit a spin-on filter.

[Spider]

Autos always ran with a cartridge type as the Oil Pressure can run up to 150 PSI. Most Spin On filters are only rated to a maximum of 100 PSI.

[MikeRotherham]

Your mini should use 10w 40 mineral oil.

 

I'd also heard that the cartridge type filter rather than the spin on type should be used because of the higher pressures involved.

 

Have you also tried on the http://autominiregister.proboards.com/ forum.

 

There is alot of information regarding types of oil.

 

Some have been using a type of oil that is used for motor cycles with wet clutches with some success. There is a a lot of information about that on the forum.

 

With regard to your gearbox problem, I would definitely try an oil and filter change as a first step to see if it improves things

Edited by MikeRotherham, 10 March 2017 - 07:51 PM.

[Orange-Phantom]

To quote "MRA" from these forums who runs an engineering company KM Precision Engineering Limited, who specialises in Automatic Gearbox's for the mini.

 

"I use a 10W40, MA2 (only MA2 is suitable for wet clutches) grade motorcycle oils in all my Automatic rebuilds now, simply cannot beat it, tests have been undertaken and the difference is very noticeable, less flare 3rd to 4th, more positive gear changes both up and down, much better driving experience. 

 

NOTE 20W50 should never be used in an automatic Mini (or any other AP2 unit) as it will lead to damage.

 

I will be using an MA grade 10W40 in my 1380 turbo, I have used only top makes 10W40 for a lot of years, in fact Ian Hargreaves of Avonbar Racing recommended it to me in about 1985/6 I think it was... never looked back, my current 1380 turbo has completed 89K + miles without anything major going wrong."

[FluffedUp]

Thanks for all the advice.

 

Would Comma X-Flow type XS 10W-40 Semi Synthetic Motor Oil be suitable? That's the only one they have in my motor spares shop. If not it's no problem to go elsewhere.

[mab01uk]

10 pages on the Automatic Mini Register......

 

What Oil do you use in your Auto?

http://autominiregis...68/oil-use-auto

Edited by mab01uk, 11 March 2017 - 08:02 PM.