BW 35 S1 V8 Auto shifting issue

P

pigeons99

New Member
Hello there,

. I have a 1970 Rover 3500 and not only is she my first car but she is also used daily on a short commute and sometimes on a motorway commute. Recently she has been playing up with her auto box. I drive s D' mostly but I noticed that she has been struggling to shift up recently and between 1 and 2 there is a delay along with what sounds like the engine needing to change up. Unlike before where she just would, I have to keep my foot down (not kick down) and eventually she will move up after a brief noise that sounds a little like when you run your finger around the rim of a wine glass to make it sing. I know that sounds daft but that is all I can describe it as, a slight warbble.
I have checked the fluid with the engine running, activating every gear and back to 'P' and it was at the high mark and a slightly dark red colour.
can anyone help me out, I am not the most mechanically minded person but any help would be appreciated.
Also I apologise for how this may look on screen, punctuation wise as I am using an old and slow phone.

Thanks again
 
The noise could be "squawk". First question: Is it only the 1-2 shift that's delayed, or the 2-3 as well?
 
From standstill is fine, then its 1-2 that feels bad. 2-3 less noticeable I think. Less of an issue when warmed up but most noticeable in the 15-40 mph range
 
When it's hanging on to first and you're waiting for the upshift, does lifting off the throttle cause it to change up?
 
Without driving it, but from all you've said, I'd guess the governor is sticking. The upshift happens when governor pressure overcomes line pressure, and if the governor sticks so the pressure doesn't increase with roadspeed, then the shift won't happen.

If you look in the WM it will probably list the 1-2 shift valve as sticking as the cause, and although that's a possibility as well, I've rarely experienced sticking shift valves, governors on the other hand seem to be increasingly giving problems for some reason.
 
I appreciate all your help on this issue, that sounds like it could be the case. Without being technical, it essentially is refusing to shift up when it should and the jolts up after the engine carries on accelerating and sounding like cars do when they need to shift up. Is it an easy fix do you know?
 
To remove the governor the gearbox tailshaft housing has to be taken off, then the governor can be removed, dismantled and inspected. It's not overly complicated, but probably not the best thing to undertake if it's your first mechanical repair.
 
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