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Mitsubishi Attrage CVT Gearbox Overhaul: Valve Body Replaced and Engine Mounts Sorted

This Mitsubishi Attrage came in with a CVT gearbox that was not behaving correctly. Our chief mechanic diagnosed the need for a full CVT overhaul. During the inspection we also found the valve body required replacement and all three engine mounts had collapsed completely. Everything was addressed, and the car went home with a 2 year / 40,000km warranty on the gearbox.

Job completed: July 2026

Collapsed engine mount rubber from a Mitsubishi Attrage held up at 1 Car Service Singapore workshop showing complete rubber failure

Job completed: July 2026. Last updated: August 2026. Written from our workshop job records and photos; technical details are generalised where the records do not confirm them.

CarMitsubishi Attrage, petrol with CVT transmission
SymptomCVT gearbox not operating correctly
Fault foundCVT gearbox requiring full overhaul, valve body faulty and requiring replacement together with the overhaul, engine mount set x3 completely collapsed
Repair doneFull CVT gearbox overhaul, valve body replacement, engine mount set x3 replacement, fresh CVT fluid
PartsOEM-grade CVT overhaul kit; replacement valve body; quality engine mounts
Time taken2 to 3 days
Cost$4,300 nett total ($2,800 CVT overhaul + $950 valve body + $550 engine mounts)
Warranty2 years or 40,000km on the CVT gearbox overhaul

What the owner reported

The owner contacted us because the Mitsubishi Attrage CVT gearbox was not right. The exact symptoms of a failing CVT can range from jerking at low speed and hesitation when accelerating to a complete refusal to move, and the Attrage was showing signs that something inside the transmission had degraded.

CVT gearboxes are often misunderstood by owners and sometimes by workshops that are not familiar with them. The owner wanted a definitive diagnosis and a straight quote. We asked them to bring the car in for our chief mechanic to assess.

Mitsubishi Attrage CVT chain and gearbox internals during overhaul at 1 Car Service Singapore

The car

The Mitsubishi Attrage is a compact three-box sedan popular in Singapore for its fuel efficiency and manageable size in urban traffic. It uses a CVT, which stands for continuously variable transmission. Unlike a conventional automatic with a fixed number of gear ratios, a CVT uses a steel belt or chain running between two variable-diameter pulleys to provide an infinite range of effective gear ratios.

This design is efficient and smooth when it is in good condition. When CVT components wear or the fluid degrades, the transmission can slip, jerk, or fail to deliver power correctly to the wheels. CVT overhauls are more specialised than conventional automatic gearbox work and require a workshop familiar with the chain, pulleys and valve body specific to each model.

How we diagnosed it

Our chief mechanic carried out a full assessment of the CVT gearbox. The diagnosis was clear: the gearbox needed a full overhaul. This is not a judgment made quickly. On a CVT, you check the fluid condition, scan for codes, test the transmission hydraulic pressure, and listen to how the pulleys behave under load. All of those checks pointed in the same direction.

The valve body is the hydraulic control unit inside the gearbox that directs fluid pressure to different parts of the transmission. Our assessment found the valve body was also faulty and needed replacement as part of the overhaul. Doing the overhaul without replacing a faulty valve body would be an incomplete repair.

With the car on the hoist we also inspected the engine mounts. All three were completely collapsed. The rubber had deteriorated to the point where it offered no meaningful cushioning at all. You can see in the photo how completely the rubber had failed.

Why CVT gearboxes fail and why the valve body matters

CVT gearboxes rely heavily on correct fluid condition. The CVT fluid lubricates the belt or chain, provides hydraulic pressure to the pulley clamping system, and cools the transmission. When the fluid degrades, the clamping force on the belt drops, which allows the belt to slip against the pulley faces. This slipping generates heat and accelerates wear on both the belt and the pulley surfaces.

Singapore's stop-start city driving keeps the CVT in a low-speed, high-load condition for much of its working life. This is the mode where CVT fluid temperature is highest and where fluid degradation is fastest.

The valve body controls when and how fluid pressure shifts between the pulley sides. A faulty valve body cannot direct pressure correctly, which means the CVT cannot adjust its ratio properly regardless of how good the rest of the transmission is. This is why our chief mechanic confirmed it needed replacement as part of the same job.

The collapsed engine mounts are a separate issue caused by rubber aging in Singapore's heat, but they compound the problem by allowing the drivetrain to move more than designed, adding stress to transmission mounts and the gearbox connections.

What we did

The owner approved the full scope and we carried out the overhaul over 2 to 3 days.

CVT gearbox overhaul ($2,800):

  • Removed the CVT gearbox from the car.
  • Dismantled and inspected all internal components including the chain, pulleys, clutch pack and all seals.
  • Replaced worn components, seals and gaskets with OEM-grade overhaul parts.
  • Rebuilt the gearbox and reinstalled it.
  • Filled with fresh CVT-specific fluid.

Valve body replacement ($950):

  • The original valve body was replaced with a serviceable unit as part of the overhaul. Doing this at the same time avoids a return visit and ensures the hydraulic control system matches the overhauled internals.

Engine mounts ($550 nett):

  • Replaced all three engine mount sets with quality replacements, restoring correct engine positioning and eliminating the vibration from the collapsed originals.

The car was road tested after completion to confirm smooth CVT operation and correct engine mount feel. The owner was reminded that the first CVT fluid change is due at 3 months or 5,000km (at $150 before GST), which is part of the overhaul maintenance schedule.

Before and after

Before

  • CVT gearbox not operating correctly
  • Valve body faulty, unable to direct hydraulic pressure properly
  • Engine mount set x3 completely collapsed, engine vibrating excessively
  • Old CVT fluid unable to protect the chain and pulley system

After

  • Full CVT overhaul completed, gearbox operating smoothly
  • New valve body fitted, hydraulic control restored
  • New engine mounts, drivetrain correctly positioned and vibration absorbed
  • Fresh CVT fluid, 2 year or 40,000km warranty on the overhaul

What a Mitsubishi Attrage CVT gearbox overhaul costs in Singapore

What the gearbox work costs depends on the make and how much of the internal CVT is worn. This job was $2,800 for the overhaul and $950 for the valve body replacement, giving $3,750 for the gearbox work. The engine mounts added $550, bringing the total to $4,300 nett.

A CVT overhaul that also requires a valve body replacement is more comprehensive than a basic overhaul because the valve body is an additional component with its own cost. Including it in the same job is more economical than returning later.

Every full CVT gearbox overhaul comes with a 2 year or 40,000km warranty.

How to look after your CVT gearbox

The single most important maintenance item for a CVT gearbox is the fluid. CVT fluid degrades with heat and use, and once it is past its protective capacity the chain and pulleys start to suffer.

For most CVT-equipped cars in Singapore, a fluid change every 40,000 to 60,000km is a reasonable maintenance interval, though the correct schedule depends on how the car is driven. City driving is harder on CVT fluid than highway use.

If the CVT starts to feel different, either slipping slightly, jerking at low speed, or feeling sluggish under acceleration, have it checked immediately. Early intervention is far less expensive than a full overhaul on a CVT that has been run on degraded fluid for too long.

About the workshop

This Mitsubishi Attrage (CVT gearbox overhaul and engine mount replacement) was handled at 1 Car Service, an independent workshop in Sin Ming AutoCity, Singapore. The work is backed by our 2-year, 40,000km warranty. We hold a 4.9★ rating from 1,775+ Google reviews.

Signs your CVT gearbox needs attention

CVT gearbox playing up? Get a proper diagnosis before it gets worse.

WhatsApp us your car model, year, mileage and what it is doing. A CVT gearbox that is slipping, jerking or refusing to accelerate normally needs to be checked quickly. Every full CVT overhaul comes with a 2 year or 40,000km warranty.

WhatsApp us - free CVT gearbox check

Mitsubishi Attrage CVT gearbox overhaul: common questions

How much does a Mitsubishi Attrage CVT gearbox overhaul cost in Singapore?

This overhaul was $2,800 for the CVT gearbox and $950 for the valve body replacement, totalling $3,750 for the gearbox work. Engine mounts added $550, giving a total of $4,300 nett. Pricing varies based on the condition of the internals and what the box needs once opened. We quote before any work begins.

Why does a CVT overhaul also require a valve body replacement?

The valve body is the hydraulic control unit that directs fluid pressure inside the CVT. A faulty valve body cannot regulate pressure correctly, which means the CVT cannot shift its ratio properly even with a freshly overhauled internal kit. Replacing it as part of the same job ensures the whole system works correctly and avoids a second visit.

Does the CVT gearbox overhaul come with a warranty?

Yes. Every full CVT gearbox overhaul comes with a 2 year or 40,000km warranty, whichever comes first. The first CVT fluid change is due at 3 months or 5,000km to maintain the warranty.

How long does a CVT gearbox overhaul take?

This job was completed in 2 to 3 days. The time depends on parts availability and the extent of the wear inside the gearbox. We confirm a timeline once the box is opened and inspected.

What is the difference between a CVT and a conventional automatic gearbox?

A conventional automatic has a fixed number of gear ratios (typically six to eight) and uses clutch packs to shift between them. A CVT uses a steel belt or chain running between two variable-width pulleys to provide an infinite range of effective ratios. The experience is smoother and more fuel-efficient in normal driving, but CVT internals are more sensitive to fluid condition and require specialist knowledge to overhaul correctly.

Can collapsed engine mounts cause gearbox problems?

Collapsed engine mounts allow the engine and transmission to move more than designed. This puts stress on the drivetrain mounts and the connections between the engine and gearbox. While mounts do not directly cause CVT wear, fixing a gearbox and leaving collapsed mounts in place means the repaired gearbox is immediately subjected to abnormal movement. We replace them as part of a complete repair.

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