CVT transmission

[cabinscooter]

This has probably been aired before but has anyone else had experience with the CVT box in a 45 ?
I had one from new, it was a 1.8 in anthracite and was superb to drive. Extremely smooth, no lag when pulling away and easily did 40 mpg.
Unfortunately I had three (yes, three) replacement gearboxes. Each time strange noises started coming from the box. The first time at about 20K miles it was a 'traditional' whining sound varying with road (not engine) speed. The next time it was horrible 'scraping' noises. This gearbox was supplied to MGR by the German company ZF (now Sachs-ZF or ZF-sachs) and I researched this type of transmission quite a bit. I spent a lot of time at Longbridge at the time as a contractor and discussed the problems with engineers in Powertrain but never really got a definitive answer. I even got to know the ZF representative at Longbridge. The dealer denied that this was a problem they knew of.
I even wrote to John towers, not complaining but thought he should be made aware that ZF were supplying duff gearboxes.
My research indicated that this steel belt drive tranmission was most suited to low power vehicles and perhaps the 1.8 torque was a little beyond its capabilities and needed further development.
Anyone else experienced this ?

[Suckmyrockets]

Originally Posted by cabinscooter

This has probably been aired before but has anyone else had experience with the CVT box in a 45 ?
I had one from new, it was a 1.8 in anthracite and was superb to drive. Extremely smooth, no lag when pulling away and easily did 40 mpg.
Unfortunately I had three (yes, three) replacement gearboxes. Each time strange noises started coming from the box. The first time at about 20K miles it was a 'traditional' whining sound varying with road (not engine) speed. The next time it was horrible 'scraping' noises. This gearbox was supplied to MGR by the German company ZF (now Sachs-ZF or ZF-sachs) and I researched this type of transmission quite a bit. I spent a lot of time at Longbridge at the time as a contractor and discussed the problems with engineers in Powertrain but never really got a definitive answer. I even got to know the ZF representative at Longbridge. The dealer denied that this was a problem they knew of.
I even wrote to John towers, not complaining but thought he should be made aware that ZF were supplying duff gearboxes.
My research indicated that this steel belt drive tranmission was most suited to low power vehicles and perhaps the 1.8 torque was a little beyond its capabilities and needed further development.
Anyone else experienced this ?

Hi - I'm also experiencing some issues with the ZF CVT as I have two consecutive 45s both displaying strange 'symptoms' have had their engines changed...drove perfectly before, now the transmission is noisy.

I'm also seeking some expert opinion.

There's a recalibration process apparently known as Fast Adaption (covered in other posts) and I'm currently trying to ascertain how to start the procedure to see if this has any effect.

If you Google "cvt fast adaption" about the 3rd listed item is an Adobe .PDF Description Automatic Gearbox. This is a ZF document that whilst not addressing the issue, describes the transmission.

Both of my vehicles have covered less than 40K miles, both suffered HGF, both had engine swaps and then both have developed strange transmission noise.

The second vehicle sounds like a creaky barn door until about 10 mph when everything quitens down.

Very peculiar.

Let me know how you get on. Perhaps there should be a 'sticky' for all Stepspeed related issues. Note, that this electronic box differs from the CVT in earlier 200/400 models.

[d71146]

Originally Posted by cabinscooter

This has probably been aired before but has anyone else had experience with the CVT box in a 45 ?
I had one from new, it was a 1.8 in anthracite and was superb to drive. Extremely smooth, no lag when pulling away and easily did 40 mpg.
Unfortunately I had three (yes, three) replacement gearboxes. Each time strange noises started coming from the box. The first time at about 20K miles it was a 'traditional' whining sound varying with road (not engine) speed. The next time it was horrible 'scraping' noises. This gearbox was supplied to MGR by the German company ZF (now Sachs-ZF or ZF-sachs) and I researched this type of transmission quite a bit. I spent a lot of time at Longbridge at the time as a contractor and discussed the problems with engineers in Powertrain but never really got a definitive answer. I even got to know the ZF representative at Longbridge. The dealer denied that this was a problem they knew of.
I even wrote to John towers, not complaining but thought he should be made aware that ZF were supplying duff gearboxes.
My research indicated that this steel belt drive tranmission was most suited to low power vehicles and perhaps the 1.8 torque was a little beyond its capabilities and needed further development.
Anyone else experienced this ?

I have the same model car with this tranmission very smooth easy to drive but I have always had this sqeaky type sound at times but not when the car is in neutral funny enough its very annoying at times but is not loud the garage guy always says 'Oh they are all noisy like that some are noisier than others'.

Does anyone else have any views or stories on this please.?

[oddjobx1]

i have the same problems with mine i`ve got the 1.8 impression s with a cvt em6 box , when i start up from cold the g/box makes an awefull rattling noise but as soon as i put it in D it stops then when its warm it makes a squeaking noise as tho something needs oiling, drive is ok no jerking can the steel belt be adjusted ??? not too worried tho if tax goes up to £400+ next year car will have to go i cant afford it

[d71146]

Originally Posted by oddjobx1

i have the same problems with mine i`ve got the 1.8 impression s with a cvt em6 box , when i start up from cold the g/box makes an awefull rattling noise but as soon as i put it in D it stops then when its warm it makes a squeaking noise as tho something needs oiling, drive is ok no jerking can the steel belt be adjusted ??? not too worried tho if tax goes up to £400+ next year car will have to go i cant afford it

Tax to £400 I blooming hope not.

I think its the steel belt as I always used to think the engine was 'pinking'
by the tinkly/sqeak it makes not sure if the belt can be adjusted perhaps someone with 'The Knowledge' could advise us.

[ade014]

Originally Posted by oddjobx1

i have the same problems with mine i`ve got the 1.8 impression s with a cvt em6 box , when i start up from cold the g/box makes an awefull rattling noise but as soon as i put it in D it stops then when its warm it makes a squeaking noise as tho something needs oiling, drive is ok no jerking can the steel belt be adjusted ??? not too worried tho if tax goes up to £400+ next year car will have to go i cant afford it

That noise is the drive plate- common noise. Mines been doing it for the last 10k miles, no worse no better. I think the only noise you need to worry about with these is a whine- deffo not normal.

[cabinscooter]

Originally Posted by Suckmyrockets

Hi - I'm also experiencing some issues with the ZF CVT as I have two consecutive 45s both displaying strange 'symptoms' have had their engines changed...drove perfectly before, now the transmission is noisy.

I'm also seeking some expert opinion.

There's a recalibration process apparently known as Fast Adaption (covered in other posts) and I'm currently trying to ascertain how to start the procedure to see if this has any effect.

If you Google "cvt fast adaption" about the 3rd listed item is an Adobe .PDF Description Automatic Gearbox. This is a ZF document that whilst not addressing the issue, describes the transmission.

Both of my vehicles have covered less than 40K miles, both suffered HGF, both had engine swaps and then both have developed strange transmission noise.

The second vehicle sounds like a creaky barn door until about 10 mph when everything quitens down.

Very peculiar.

Let me know how you get on. Perhaps there should be a 'sticky' for all Stepspeed related issues. Note, that this electronic box differs from the CVT in earlier 200/400 models.

My enquiry is only academic as I no longer have this car. This car was the second of three company 400/45s that I had from new and the car was changed in 2003 at about 65k miles for a new 1.8 manual 45. I reverted to a manual box simply for tax reasons as the emissions on the 1.8 CVT were around 207 g/km and Rover only made it in 2.0 litre form by this time. This last manual 45 was a superb car but I really missed the auto box.

There was some suggestion that the dealer had put the wrong type of oil in the last two replacements but of course this was never proved. As you will know, the oil is a bit like brake fluid and is checked whilst the engine is running. I should check the spec of the oil in yours.

Despite the failure of this non-Rover German box, the 45 was much better in most ways than my current Vauxhall Astra 'Easytronic'. The GM transmission is very jerky and lurches unpredictably. Pulling away from rest at roundabouts is a nightmare. I fail to understand the popularity of the Astra as it is horrible and uncomfortable to drive.

Alan

[cabinscooter]

Originally Posted by ade014

That noise is the drive plate- common noise. Mines been doing it for the last 10k miles, no worse no better. I think the only noise you need to worry about with these is a whine- deffo not normal.

Quite correct. Mine did this when cold and it is the torque-damping springs in the drive plate rattliing in their housings. They expand when warm and quieten down. My neighbours MGTF does the same. Nothing to worry about.

Alan

[oddjobx1]

oh well at least i know now its nothing serious the noise it makes is a bit annoying tho but i can live with it. as for the astra auto the gearbox is terrible my neighbour has got one as a mobility car he took it back to the dealer for the jerking and was told it was characteristic for the car nothing could be done about it. he`s due to change it in december he`s not having another one thanks for the info on my g/box ken

[jamieclayton9]

My dads previous company car was a rover 45 diesel club (113bhp). When mg rover went bust his work also went over to the astras. He had got a astra 1.7 cdti club and he hates it. It is not as quick as the rover, Does about 10mpg less and the seats are like sitting on two lumps of rock. It also handles like crap compaired to the rover.

cheers

jaie

[cabinscooter]

Originally Posted by cabinscooter

There was some suggestion that the dealer had put the wrong type of oil in the last two replacements but of course this was never proved.

I meant first two replacements of course, as the box was ok up till the time the car went back.
Also the drive plate was changed and the rattling from cold disappeared.

Does anyone know of a new small car that uses CVT transmission ?

[ade014]

Honda Jazz