Hot gearstick & disgruntled girlfriend!

[SuffolkSprint]

Hello,<br>
<br>
Coming back from the Eastern Dolly day in Peterborough a few weekends back, I noticed my gearstick is getting hot. Very hot. It's done this before, but I'd kidded myself it was due to the hot air from the air vents heating it up! I'd spoken to a guy at the show (big apologies for forgetting your name) who said he'd had similar problems, due a leak at the back of the overdrive. Although I had topped up the 'box oil before leaving, we had a long trip ahead of us along fast roads. Before joining these roads, I felt the gearstick at the base, it was so hot it nearly burnt my hand. I had visions of the gearbox seizing on the road ahead, and therefore took the decision to call for recovery to save my dolly, and possibly my life! Many thanks to Felicity & Trevor (Norfolk Reps) who offered to stay with us.<br>
<br>
After waiting with me for an hour for recovery, my girlf has lost some affection for the car sadly. I tried telling her that it hadn't broken down as such, and that classic car ownership means more frequent breakdowns than modern boxes. <br>
<br>
Anyway, to get to the point, where do I start in terms of investigating any leakage? I'm thinking the car will need to be exactly level in order to check oil level - jacking the car up obviously changes the angle. So I'm planning to raise her up on ramps / axle stands and get the 'box bone dry, run her and see where oil comes out. Any better suggestions? I'm wondering how easy seal replacement (if the problem is due to oil loss) is likely to be. I'm not keen on balancing a gearbox on my forehead somehow! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Thoughts anyone? Many many thanks <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[80sprint]

My first thought is to ditch the girlfriend.<br>
<br>
Secondly , have you checked the wiring for the overdrive. Could be shorting out but this would normally blow a fuse.<br>
<br>
Mike

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[davepoth]

True. Mine did a similar thing, and eventually the short got so bad I had to disconnect the overdrive. Most likely culprit is the wire that runs up the inside of the gear lever, down to the gearbox loom. Look along the length for chafing.<br>


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[USASPRINTMAN]

If you are moving at fast highway speeds, don't rule out heat from the engine.<br>
<br>
I never knew my Sprint's transmission tunnel was improperly fitted until I took the car on a 90-mile blast up the highway a few weeks ago. Driving around town it was totally normal. But at about 80 mph, the heat from the engine was getting inside the car and yes, the gear shift lever also got hot. <br>
<br>
I found that that round seal under the console was fitted improperly as was the tunnel seal. <br>
<br>
Richard Truett

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[SuffolkSprint]

Thanks for these thoughts, I'll check the wiring, although I'm pretty sure there's oil loss as I keep needing to top it up. Awkward that it is!<br>
<br>
Girlfriend is standing behind me and is not too keen on advice re. her. Hehe <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>


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[classic265]

Try getting the girlfriend to hold your gearstick to see how hot it gets....<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->

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[dollyboy]

yep, she could hold on to it while you're driving, and give it the occasional blow if it starts getting too hot<br>
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<p>project orange - gradual progress<br>
project STEALTH - PASS!!! <br>
project white - AAARGGGHHH!!! too many cars!!!</p><i></i>