fbekholden.com

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

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

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"

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.

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

M

Usually indicates slipping bands

Mick

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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.