Al4/dpo transmission discussion !

jaahn

jaahn

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Hi :crazy:
As has been said before and just recently again, this transmission takes up half the discussion on AFs. I for one have become a little irritated seeing the same questions asked over again and again, with the expectation that it will only become worse for some years. The problem seems to be the inability of newbies to search and find the information. :eek: Either that or they ask first before they look.

Can we address this in some way. Perhaps with a seperate Discussion only for it !! :cool:

Jaahn
 
You do realise there has been a full moon this week?:doh:

Note also that tyres and engine oils have also been popular recently.

By the way, I agree with you. I think there should be a strong message for newbies joining to use the search function to look for common threads.
 
alexander said:
too bad said newbies won't find this thread for the same reason they don't find all the others. doh!
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Hi :(
Yes well my thoughts were to have a separate Forum perhaps in the[h=2]Specialised & Tech [/h]called perhaps; French Automatic transmission problems, AL4, DPO types and others.
At least it will not get lost in the avalanch of other discussion in the Maque threads. If people do not get off the topic and rabbit on endlessly about FA the thread would not be hard to see there :)
Jaahn
 
I've bookmarked it and at the mention of AL4 OR DPO by a user with less than 10 posts , it will be presented to them.

And to many, many others, I would think. :D
 
I agree entirely. I find the AL4 posts interesting, although for me it is academic from the security of manual transmissions, providing I don't worry too much about the C-matic of course!

Yes to rabbitting on about FA, although I couldn't plead complete innocence.

Perhaps a clear message on the front page to look before you leap? Or, as sort of suggested, a prominent link tab.

Given how many of them there are out there, it's surprising how much difficulty there seems to be finding good advice from "specialists" but I won't go on rabbitting.... :)
 
Said newbie might not know the transmission type is an AL4 or DP0.
They would know the model and year of the car but the transmission type is likely a mystery for them.
 
I have also noticed the AL4 seems to be source of a great many questions, most of which have been answered already with varying degrees of accuracy/consistency.

Finding information is often made harder, not easier, by searches that return multiple pages of results most of which are not applicable to the single issue we are trying to resolve. I get a certain amount of enjoyment from learning purely for the sake of it, so don't mind research. When a car is broken and the issue is urgent, I want to get the information that matters to me quickly and asking those with broader experience is often my first choice too. That then compounds the problem by adding to the number of threads - making it harder for the next person and so on.

I am by no means an expert on transmissions, but consider myself competent at editing and reviewing others work. Would it be useful if I trawled a few other threads and attempted to consolidate info of general use into a single thread with a view to it being referenced first when questions arise?
 
The situation of which you speak of is largely an "issue" inherent within internet car forums.

The people contributing are not professional mechanics nor professional service guide writers.

So it's a matter of taking the information at face value within all faults if any.

And in most cases it is necessary to do your own research to answer your own specific questions.

AF is a means of sharing information and not to produce specific "how to guides"

Of course some members have the time and inclination to write such threads.

Edit:

When a car is broken and the issue is urgent,
Click to expand...

The obvious solution is take the vehicle to professional repairer.

The lead time of Solenoids exChina or elsewhere somewhat removes the chance of "urgent repair"
 
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And the new generation of wet and dry clutch type will be worse moving forward, wait till you start seeing and reading about problems with the electric power steering also.
Start and stopping in traffic is killing these type of drivelines and steering systems.
 
And the new generation of wet and dry clutch type will be worse moving forward
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And the repair procedure would seem to be little different in cost to replacing a conventional manual clutch and thrust.

After market manufacturers are now building heavy duty replacement components.

Service costs are just the way of modern vehicles .

Especially when manufacturers are now considering the end of life recycling costs and capabilities at time of manufacture.

Cars now have a finite design life. The possibility of owning a vehicle that travels 1million kilometers is gone forever. Fuel efficiency and pollution levels are the "new" selling points.
 
I dunno about the "shelf life" of newer cars.

Almost every old (steel) car died of rust before mechanical failure became overwhelming.
Trims have their moments, from really bad (early CX, coupled with rust) to amazingly good (e.g. Xantia Activa).
The trim in my 16yo model just sold really was like new.

I'd agree that cars like the Hyundai are probably 100k propositions, and disposable. Good for the "warranty period" then abandon.

But on the swings and roundabouts, I'd say that if you wanted to (again money and other rules notwithstanding) you could probably keep a good model almost indefinitely. Most of the later plastics hold up well (e.g. dashboards) and I'd say that compared to, say, pre 1980's cars, many would indeed do the million miles if you were prepared to persevere. There are probably less big ticket items that would prevent you from doing so than for older cars, which can be full resto propositions. Economics and rules perhaps being the killers.
 
Gee,

1t seems we are off to topic irrelevant start to this thread.

My comments about the relative longevity and serviceability of modern cars compared to older cars were in no way intended to promote irrelevant discussion. Simply to make a point that no car component last forever, especially today's cars.

May I suggest we stick with the topic heading, so as to make this thread useful for newbies - it's intended purpose ?
 
jaahn said:
Hi :crazy:
As has been said before and just recently again, this transmission takes up half the discussion on AFs. I for one have become a little irritated seeing the same questions asked over again and again, with the expectation that it will only become worse for some years. The problem seems to be the inability of newbies to search and find the information. :eek: Either that or they ask first before they look.




































an we address this in some way. Perhaps with a seperate Discussion only for it !! :cool:











Jaahn
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Couldn't agree more, both my mail boxes would certainly sigh a relief.
On the positive side of the AL4, that's a joke is it not, I sent two boxes to the tip before Christmas but I've still got 3/4 of another to get rid of as soon as I can.
Kept a couple of control valves and some of the electronics but I'm now beginning to wonder why, miserable bastard that I am.
Cheers Tony.
 
Most posts are in the Please help, I have a problem class. A/F membership excels in this helpful part of our reason for being!

My suggestion would be to have a section created where these posts are stored "Owner help queries (French cars Only?) free of unhelpful replies, side issues, etc.

i.e. a thread could start anywhere like the public Froggy Chat or Toad Pond and be moved and saved in a location that would be accessible to a new or prospective member, and once there ONLY relevant and helpful additions to the subject permitted as it would be part of the public face of Aussie Frogs.

My two cents.

Ken
 
I agree and it's probably one of the main reasons people start new threads about the same thing - it's a big ask to wade through all the similar themed threads as well as the extraneous and unhelpful posts within. Maybe the 406 Coupe Club's "Serving and Repair" section of their forum would be a good model.
 
Years back we had a pretty cohesive group of members who would propose certain threads as suitable for moving to other areas for filing for future reference. As most such handy threads start in the Marque areas perhaps we could get back to that.

Perhaps if the moderators for those sections could nominate members to help them clean up unhelpful posts before transfer, that would help lower the workload and smooth the process, especially where long involved series of posts were concerned. Moderator of course would have final say.

Maybe we will get back to the feeling of both belonging and caring in this community.

Ken.
 
Peter Chisholm said:
I agree and it's probably one of the main reasons people start new threads about the same thing - it's a big ask to wade through all the similar themed threads as well as the extraneous and unhelpful posts within. Maybe the 406 Coupe Club's "Serving and Repair" section of their forum would be a good model.
Click to expand...

We have such, an under utilised resource. . .
Archive / Common Faults & Fixes

The original intention was to accumulate an indexed repository for proven tips/fixes for common problems. Threads started elsewhere could be copied/edited/merged and moved - no replies! Discussion would be encouraged in the open forums and useful additions added to the archived thread.

The late Alan S was a major contributor and kept the resource active and topical, sadly with his loss the sub-forum has grown weeds, but could be re-invigorated.

Cheers
Chris
 
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