hellow dear maximists:

my '87's automatic tranny is giving me problems so i figured some of you could give me advice if i gave specific symptoms.

1. I changed the oil and it looked like it had never been changed. LOTS of metal particles (dust, more like metal-mud-sludge). if that was the case I asume the oil FILTER must be in pretty bad shape.

2. If I floor it, the tranny will slip @ 3,000-6,000 RPM. but that's only if I floor it, cuz if I shift it to 2nd and accelerate slowly it will drive to insane speeds (that's why I think it's sliping).

3. It wont downshift! I have to downshift it mannualy.

4. I can't use the Overdrive cuz when I use it, it spends way too much gasoline. It also starts trembling just like a manual tranny when you try to accelerate from stop in 4th gear. it has no power in overdrive.

5. it spends much gas in any gear.

6. in the morning, when the car is cold, the engine runs perfect but the car pushes/pulls until, in about a minute or two, heats up and goes well.

Now here's my theory for all of this, and please correct me if i'm wrong, for i really need to know, i love my max:

the transmissoin oil filter is clogged and needs to be changed.

why i think this is the problem?

*2. i think the oil filter is clogged and the oil cannot pass very well through it, thus the clutch wont grip and cannot cope with the power from the engine's higher revs. hence, it slips.

*3. it wont downshift cuz, since it's slipping, the motor is reving up and the car thinks it's doing great, so no need to downshift... i think so...

*4. With the overdrive being such a weak gear, and the tranny refusing to downshift, plus the slipping, makes the tranny tremble. and the motor reving up with no sign of acceleration spends a great deal of gas. the same with #5.

*6. I thnk this is caused by the transmission fluid being too thick, when it's cold in the mornings, to pass through the clogged filter. then when it heats up it gets less thick and some portion of it can actually pass through to the clutch and make my everyday driving possible.

now is all of this theory true, or is it some crazy thinking from my part?? cuz i got a brand new filter waiting to be changed, but i can't find where the old one is! I thought it had an oil pan like the engine has but... couldn't find anything.

sorry for the inconvinience of making you read all this essay

if you can help me it will be greatly appreciated!!

thanx, yubal

 

the only way to change the transmission filter you will have to take tranny out of car and seperate the case.you gotta be real carefully doing tthis because it is inside of transmission and there are lots of parts to remember how to put together. If it has been slipping very long the chances are you will nesd a rebuild. Ive sen cars that only slipped for a total of only 30 seconds in only a few days and they blew out the clutch packs

 

You didn't mention how many miles were on your vehicle, but if it's near or over 150K, I'd just opt for a rebuilt tranny. You're probably looking at about $1000-1500 for parts and labor, possibly more. The automatic tranny in our cars is known for problems, they just don't last very long. And like maxima561 said, driving it in that condition, you're bound to do even more damage to it.

-C-

 

damn! mine has about 10 miles shy of 150k...

so... changing the filter will do sh*t for it

wonder if swapping it to manual would cost less?

 

Your auto trans is on its last legs. Expect it to die completely within 6 months. As for the 5spd swap unless you find a wrecked 5spd the parts would cost the same as a rebuilt auto. If you do get a rebuild try to get the trans-go shift kit installed, this will make the trans last longer assuming you want to keep it longer.

 

that sucks! it's a lot of money i don't have

the car is in mint condition, apart from the trans prob. and a new rack n pinnion, damaged A/C, some wiring problems... do you think it was worth $2,800?

also, me n my father are really DIY fanatics so where could i get diagrams or help or parts suplies if we want to rebuild it ourselves??

 

There's no way that you guys will be able to rebuild an automatic tranny, that's definitely not a DIY job. The automatic transmission is the most complicated piece of machinery on an automobile.

I don't know if your car was worth $2800 or not, you didn't mention how many miles you drove it before the tranny problem. I paid $4800 for my 88 Max, but it only had 60K miles on it and mechanically it's still in mint condition (103K miles on it now). I'll probably get another 60-70K before any tranny or gasket failures, so I'd say I got my money's worth. Of course, it also depends on where you live too. Here in Pittsburgh, older cars go for relatively cheap. That may not be the case in your area though.

Well, you said that your car is in mint condition aside from a few minor problems and the tranny, so I'd consider taking a loan out and getting the tranny replaced. You already put $2800 in it, and as long as the engine is really strong, you should get a lot more miles out of it. You may have to replace some gaskets and seals soon though, the head gasket replacement usually runs about $750, so that may be something you want to consider too.

Good Luck
-C-

 

man i'm thinking bout sellin the car for $3,000

then i could buy a car whose parts are cheaper and more economic and easier to fix.
i love my max but I have to sell it before the trans dies.
after i graduate i'll buy a brand new max and pump it to the max jeje

 

Man, I don't think you're going to get $3000 for your car. That's more than you paid for the car in the first place. No one wants to buy a 14+ year old car, with 150K miles and tranny problems. The most you can probably get out of it would be about $1500.

-C-

 

Good news!!

we found a trnsmission mechanic who will do the job for $550!!!!!

yeah, I realized no one would give me $3000... i was being way too optimistic but now the car is being fixed and my parents are loaning me out.

thanx to everybody for the advice, since i was drowning in a glass of water.

I'll post results soon.

yubal