K11 CVT Gearbox Stuck When Hot

[Blaeven]

G'day guys,

Recently joined the forums because I've got a strange problem in my AUDM 1995 K11 that I got a few weeks ago as a learner car for my missus.

The first issue I was having was that it was shuddering on partial throttle and jerking badly when taking off... I think I've narrowed that down to the front lower engine mount being knackered (it seems like the engine is resting on the support when it's not loaded up)

The issue I have now, and the main issue with the car, is that the gearbox is playing silly buggers. It started out as an issue that seemed as though the gearbox forgot what ratio it was supposed to be in and it would randomly search for ratios. Then after a relatively hard drive one time, it seems to want to stick itself in a higher ratio (think: manual car in 4th gear), making starting from a stop next to impossible and getting up hills something I can no longer attempt at anything less than 80kph.

I don't feel like it's an issue with the clutch, because it seems to be trying pretty hard to get me rolling, despite the fact that the box is in some stupid ratio...

I did check the fluid in the box and it was a clear/brown kind of colour... which is wrong for the N-CVT (should be red)... So I replaced it with Penrite Semi-Synthetic ATF (a suitably priced replacement for Nissanmatic D) and it drove fine for a few minutes until it warmed up again then wanted to stick in the higher gear again.

This here, is the strangest part of this issue... The car seems to drive relatively normally when it's cold... It's only once the box/car warms up that the issue re-appears

Please someone help me... Not that I hate driving my MY06 WRX to work every day, but having a car that uses half the fuel is preferable for daily driving. That, and my missus needs a car to learn to drive in.

Appreciated in advance!

 

[GregW]

Hi, I've owned a couple of CVTs, although I'm no technician.

Your first step should be to change the carbon brushes, which is not that hard and there is a thread on here somewhere showing you how. Is the CVT light on btw?

The second problem is that the stepper motor itself might have packed up. This is potentially a far greater issue... and I'm not sure how you'd fix it, short of replacing the gearbox. Unfortunately, from your description it sounds like this might be the case.

Clutch problems generally manifest themselves with a difficult T-shift. You can buy electromechanical powder to replace the 'clutch face' from winch and hoist specialists. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Blaeven]

Hi, I've owned a couple of CVTs, although I'm no technician.

Your first step should be to change the carbon brushes, which is not that hard and there is a thread on here somewhere showing you how. Is the CVT light on btw?

The second problem is that the stepper motor itself might have packed up. This is potentially a far greater issue... and I'm not sure how you'd fix it, short of replacing the gearbox. Unfortunately, from your description it sounds like this might be the case.

Clutch problems generally manifest themselves with a difficult T-shift. You can buy electromechanical powder to replace the 'clutch face' from winch and hoist specialists. Let us know how you get on.

Uhhh... The shifter is already quite hard to move, and the more I thought about it the more I realised that a failing clutch may manifest itself in a similar fashion to how mine is, the box wouldn't go down to a lower ratio if it wasn't getting full speed from the engine would it?
I'm fine with doing the brushes, but where do I get replacements from?

 

[GregW]

Have a look at this: http://vaguevagaries.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/replacing-electromagnetic-clutch.html

Remove the brush holders and take them to any electric motor specialist and they'll sort you out a replacement bit of carbon, which is a much cheaper option than visiting the dealer.

 

[Blaeven]

Good thing I have my Rex to drive for the time being I guess

On a side note - especially if I have to replace the box - does anyone know if you can put a K12 CVT with the torque converter into the K11?
It's for my missus and she refuses to drive a manual and the K11 gearboxes are rare has hens teeth in Australia...

 

[Enuo]

Bellhousing is different so would need the K12 engine too, and thus the K12 loom.

 

[Blaeven]

Can you swap the bellhousing, use the K11 Electro-clutch with the K12 box?

 

[frank]

Can you swap the bellhousing, use the K11 Electro-clutch with the K12 box?

i doubt it, the k12,s use the hydraulic clutch (jr5?) renault g/box , and k11 cvt,s changed to a torque converter type in 2000, with a totally different g/box ecu i believe

 

[Blaeven]

Ok... So I checked the brushes, and they are fine, well above the wear indicators (in-fact, they looked relatively new)
The car doesn't drive now though... it feels like a combination of a car stuck in 4th gear with a slipping clutch.
Oh and the shifter is now much, much harder to get into D/R from N...

What's the next step, guys? Gearbox replacement or should I try and re-fill the clutch pack with new iron from a forklift place?

 

[skymera]

Good thing I have my Rex to drive for the time being I guess

On a side note - especially if I have to replace the box - does anyone know if you can put a K12 CVT with the torque converter into the K11?
It's for my missus and she refuses to drive a manual and the K11 gearboxes are rare has hens teeth in Australia...

There's your problem.

Might I suggest a new wife?

 

[Blaeven]

There's your problem.
Might I suggest a new wife?

I'm really rather attached to this one...
Besides, learning to drive in Sydney is bad enough without her having to worry about changing gears

 

[Blaeven]

I've come up with a solution...
I've purchased an unregistered K11 Manual with a dodgey engine and high KM and I'm going to swap all the manual get into the Blue Nugget