Auto Box Problem With 1999 T4

Hi guys, Not sure if it's a problem or not, but our 1999 1855cc T4 auto can be a bit of a pain in the @rse when pulling off in drive (and reverse). When it's in gear and I'm sat at idle, say at a junction, if I put my foot down to pull off it sits there idling for up to a couple of seconds before it pulls off. It doesn't seem to have any effect on whether I pull off gently or hard and it happes in drive and reverse. I may be mistaken, but it does't seem to be quite as bad when sports mode is on. Any suggestions? Thanks, The Beast

first things first get the auto box fluid level checked as per the users manual or dipstick levels, note there is a hot and cold level use whichever is applicable at the time of the check.... also check the trans oil, if it is brown as opposed a bright red or smells a little burned then you need to get the oil changed, look up ATF OIL CHANGE on the search function fot links, or check out for step by step instructions to do yourself. takes about an hour all in, is straght forward if you have standard tools. You will need 8l trans oil min, 10 to 12l ideally (4l dropped from car normally, x4 l for first flush approx, x4 l for second flush x4 l for final top up volume.) Note the number of flushes you do depends on the clarity of the oil flushed and the level you want to go to. Best of luck.

be sure to have the engine ticking over when you check the level,or you will get a false reading.This applys to all autoboxes. Regards,Adam.

Thanks guys! Sounds like a fun job for the weekend......drive on a hill, road on a hill, work parking on a hill...you get the idea. I hope it's easy because I'm not the most experienced! I'll keep you updated.

top it up now !!! Do not use it until you do, please do not blow up your transmission....any dexron III fluid will do for top up.... re the leak, no, don't take it to the garage, top it up, clean the engine bay then see if there is a leak, if its simply from the transmission oil plug you can fix this yourself when you change the oil.....save the money on the garage and spend it on checking all your fluids / consumeables.. i.e. engine oil..... coolant etc.. if the trans oil was low maybe the others aren't too sharp either??

Thanks for that mharriso. I've been under teh bonnet a couple of times since but nothing apparent, so I think a full clean up under there would be a good way forward. The mechanic used Dexron 3 - I was happy that I didn't have to mention anything, he just knew. The car's going back on 13th to have the gearbox drained, flushed and refilled, but if I clean it all out beforehand I guess it will only help spot any problems. Although it seemed to have cured all problems, it's still cutting out when I pull up at lights. I thought before it just wasn't changing down fast enough and stalling, but obviously not. I pulled up today and the revs dropped and it tried burst back in to life a couple of times then stalled. I turned it off and restarted it but a few miles on and the same again. I had to sit in neutral every time I parked up and give it a light rev to stop it cutting out. Anybody any ideas?