I've had it in the shop and they can't get a smooth idle or the rpm down below about 950. It's an automatic so it lurches into gear and wants to go, needs a bit more brakes to come to a stop and the rough idle also comes into play when cruising about 40-45mph when it bucks a bit. When you get into the throttle it really purrs as it should so I have just lived with the problem. It starts without a problem hot or cold. The entire fuel system has been redone with new fuel pump, rebuilt carbs and Re-Opus ignition. Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks
Mike

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Wed, 07/10/2013 - 21:21

Danny, to answer your questions, the selector lever seal is not difficult to do, just make sure you get the gaskets, filter & seal before you start. Yoy have to raise the car and possibly remove the exhaust system. everything is now easy to get to

Submitted by mikebenedict@2… on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 16:32

Danny,
I have the car in the shop for a few items.
1. Small A/C leak and change to R134.
2. Pull radiator and repair small nuisance leak.
3. While the rad is out, Install new belts, hoses, header tank and shroud.
4. Repair rough idle and high RPM.

It's a real cool car and I'm going to keep it long term like my others so a little love is in order!
I'll let you know how it comes out.
Mike

Submitted by SE09-51114J on Mon, 07/08/2013 - 11:15

Hi Mike B - thank you for the kind information. My tranny dipstick is identical. I believe I may be suffering from a combination of a leaking shifter linkage seal, leaking internal transmission pump, and a slight overfill of the transmission.

Hi William - thank you for the info on the inner and outer potential automatic transmission leak areas - regarding the transmission fluid pump - is that a job that can be fixed by removing the transmission pan? Also is replacing the shifter linkage seal is a big job (requiring removal of the transmission), or relatively simple, w/ access thru the transmission tunnel service panel?

Submitted by mikebenedict@2… on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 10:25

Thanks for the input guys.. I'll have the shop check for vacuum leaks. Any tricks to finding vacuum leaks? Danny I'll get a measurement on my automatic dip stick. I drive my classics as much as I can and find that they respond well to exercise.
Mike

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 01:19

Mike E, First make sureit is not overfull, The leak is most likely from the change linkage that goes in through the box, it has a seal. The real problem is that there is an inner leak inside the transmission usually from the pump. The oil drains out filling up the level in the sump much higher than normal till it reaches the linkage. It cab be helped by driving the car more regularly say weekly. In any event put a container under the drip.

Submitted by NE23-54945 on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 16:37

Mike, is on top of it. Check for LOTS of vaccuum leaks, from pipes to carb base gaskets to cleaners and all the rest.
How old is the gas?
Im working on a friends all original 1972 xke 2+2 with original 6,000 miles on it.
You think its fun, but it really isnt, everything you touch just falls apart.
All those lines, if you not sure, leave it alone till someone gets to it that knows what they are doing.
This car had old gas, the more you ran it, the pumped clog, the filters clogged, the plugs crapped out....
Its a very complex car but straight forward.
Good luck.

Submitted by SE09-51114J on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 12:07

No problem - I was confused by the second sentence in your original post. Maybe someone else out there can assist. Keep us posted on the high idle issue!

Submitted by SE09-51114J on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:37

Hi Mike,

This is totally unrelated to your issue, but was wonering if you could do me a favor, since I too have a S3 w/ an automatic Tranny. My '71 S3 Automatic has been bleeding automatic transmission fluid when parked in the garage. Can't see where it's coming from, even when I have it up on my lift. The transmission pan looks leak free, but the leak is apparantly coming from up high, dripping onto the passenger side exhaust pipe, then down onto the heat shield on that side, then running along the shield-to-floor pan junction, then down onto the garage floor. When it sits for a week there is enough tranny fluid on the exhaust pipe to really send up a smoke screen! Do not know if I have been overfilling the tranny. I have seen some posts relative to earlier e-types where the tranny dipstick-stop has come loose, causing the dipstick to read incorrectly. I would think that this would cause the tranny to be too empty, rather than too full, but, anyhow, would like to rule this out. Would you be kind enough to measure your tranny dipstick and give me a measurement accurate to 1/16"? Would be very much appreciated.

Submitted by MikeEck@optonl… on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 10:42

Check for vacuum leaks. As I recall there are at least 16 vacuum taps on the 4 manifolds and if you haven't replaced all your hoses recently they are probably hard and cracked.