My ride has been sitting dormant for about 3-4 months and I got in it the other day to drive it and the gears aren't engaging - I've been told it is because the oil has drained from between the clutch plates in the auto transmission. I was then told to engage the gears in 1; 2; and 3 and then reverse and hold the brake and rev the throttle - this should force oil up into the clutch plates and 'presto'fixed. It worked initially, but the car sat overnight and 'presto'we have the same issue again. I topped up the transmission in case it was low, but it hasn't made any real difference. What am I missing?? Any tips would be appreciated.
" I was then told to engage the gears in 1; 2; and 3 and then reverse and hold the brake and rev the throttle - this should force oil up into the clutch plates and 'presto'fixed." Who ever told you that knows nothing about auto transmissions.. About all that will do is over heat an existing condition. Simplest problem would be a plugged filter. Or stuck pressure relief in pump.. Then, after that, things get expensive..
If the seal( o ring) on the filter is not sealing it can't draw from the pan as this seal is above the oil line and it will suck air.
Check the level carefully, make sure it is at the "add" mark (full "cold) when the engine is running, trans in park, after having put the shifter into L momentarily to get oil into all the parts of the transmission. It's possible the converter will drain back into the pan as the car sits for an extended time, and the leaky seals will let the oil out, and it'll be low enough to not engage. But you have to check the fluid level carefully to figure out if this is the situation.
The Jalopy Journal
