HydraMatic troubles (whiz whiz whiz!)

[fendermatt]

Hi Guys,

Just posting as an ignorant, naive & inexperienced EK driver
My EK has always had a little bit of whizzing here and there in first gear (dismissed this problem as not too concerning)

Today I was driving her home and found that she'd rev first gear right out and drop straight into third.

I tried manually shifting into second as well as rolling her into second through neutral.

From what I gather the linkages seem to be intact and working...(Manual shift linkages, throttle to carby and pedal to carby)

I now find myself in a somewhat distressed state not knowing what the problem may be (this is only about the 6th day I've had her Rego'd after a few months of work!)

Any experienced fellows got any hints or tips? They'd be much appreciated!

*UPDATE* So this problem somehow resolved itself-

Cheers,
Matt

[fendermatt]

weird, flushed the radiator today and all is in order again...

[Trev]

That is weird .

What made you flush the radiator to get the auto working?
Thats like "I'm running out of petrol, so I'll rotate my tyres! That'l fix it"

[fendermatt]

that's why i'm perplexed as to what made it start working again. i flushed the radiator because the night i drove her home missing 2nd gear she was hot all over, radiator boiling rust mud over and it wasn't very pretty.

[fendermatt]

on another note, you fellas don't know any remedies to fix a whizzing hydramatic box do you? generally happens in first gear-

M

[choppedfan]

Usually indicates slipping bands

Mick

[EKjimmy]

I just let mine clunk along - I'll get rid of it one day
I'd love to teach myself how to service them properly - once it's out i'll start tinkering i think (not like anyone would buy it off me )

Jimmy

[Harv]

Jimmy,

If you reef out the hydro, and need some space in the shed let me know. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on an unmolested hydro for a future Guide - your location means I wouldn't be paying a fortune for freight.

Cheers,
Harv.

[EKjimmy]

It probably wouldn't be for a while at this stage, and i don't know if i'd keep it myself to get familiar with them.
If i'm looking to piss it off in the future i'll let you know though

Jimmy

[rosco]

I get the link, Trev....... "Hydro".....

My guess (unqualified - and very much assumption) - trans flluid may have got hot.... I know absolutely nothing on automatics - other than what is in the owner's manual....

frats,
Rosco

[fendermatt]

Had a look into it all, turns out it's actually a old filter, when the oil is cold it struggles to pass through it and causes the whizzing (that's why when it's warm it is normally a little better to me)

Next question is, does anyone know where one can get a filter for a Hydra Matic?? I've looked in all the usual sources with no luck!

[rosco]

Thanks Matt,
I now know one more thing about automatics....
No, sorry - can't help.
I fitted a "Frantz" filter to my old bus thirty years back. I don't know if this is of any use, but if you can "gut" the hydro filter and re-fit - then a Frantz system will keep your fluid in immaculate cleanliness. There is a "finned" model for automatics. Just be warned - you can ONLY use the FRANTZ filter element - NOT a toilet roll..... it will totally disintegrate and block every gallery in your engine/auto.... the Frantz element is NOT toilet roll... it is a specially manuafactured element which will NOT break down in use.... they cost around $2 each......
Many people who have tried toilet rolls have destroyed engines..... and hence the bad reputation Frantz was injustly notorised.
I have not had one issue with mine - the engine was inspected on strip down (to absolute) about 10 years back - all bearings and components were "as new".
The bores still had the cross-hatching complete in all six - and at full length.
I change the filter AND the oil - modern oils do break down - as opposed to the mineral oils used in the '70's..... most of modern oil is in fact - not oil..... and it does require replacing.
I do an oil/Frantz/spin on filter change at about 3,000 miles - 5k..... it is often very hard to view the level of oil on the dipstick - it never gets dirty enough to go black - at worst, it starts to show "tan"........

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

IF you can't lay your hands on a filter locally, try these guys:

http://www.autotran.us/rhmkits1.html

The hydro was known as the roto-hydramatic in the states, the model 5 often referred to as the Slim Jim. The guys above seem to be aware of the Holden model and stock filters for them.

Cheers,
Harv.

[rosco]

Just thinking beyond the sqaure, here - there are so many hydro's amongst the forum - anyone want to put their hand up to import a box.... I'm sure a group buy would make economic sense.
It would also lend itself well to ensuring that these filters remain available - if they are on the endangered list in the US....
Anyone checked with the master parts catalogue to ascertain if they are interchangeably with the EJ/EH 4 speed auto.....?

frats,
Rosco

[Harv]

G'day Rosco,

Same part number for EK/EJ/EH - 8621218.

I suspect that someone in Australia is stocking them (from memory SunnyTim knows a hydro guru up north), though finding them seems to be a challenge.

I don't know what it is about hydros, but I've got an itching to understand better how they work... maybe after the crashbox guide .

Cheers,
Harv.