Auto gearbox issue
Submitted by Dale on Sun, 2012-03-11 08:43
Howdy all, hoping there's a auto tranny expert here somewhere. My work car, an ED Fairmont, and the 4 speed auto is a little on the smelly side. The fluid is off colour from the I assume, pinky colour to more of a brown colour. IT's not making any noises and changes up and down ok, but at times seems to be running about 400 rpm higher in top gear at 110kmh. I understand this is just a description, but anyone in the know, know what I need to do without spending a squillion on it?
Cheers
Dale
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"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
greasemonkey
Posts: 112
Date Joined: 08/05/09
Auto transmission service
The first and cheapest place to start is to buy a tranny service kit (filter and gasket) and replace the tranny fluid . It may take a couple of flushes to get the crap out . Make sure you buy the right fluid aswell .
JOEL
Graeme76
Posts: 287
Date Joined: 03/10/11
Yup that's where I'd start,
Yup that's where I'd start, filter & fluid change. As mentioned a couple of flushes will be needed to clean it out. Also make sure you use a tension wrench to tighten the pan bolts back up. The bolts don't need to be done up that tight & it's easy to strip the thread (steel bolt into alloy) & cause major headaches if you are not good at guessing tensions. You will be able to find the required fluid type & bolt tensions in a gregorys manual for that car. You don't have to buy the manual, just stop in at an autostore & take a look at one there, write then numbers down so you don't forget.
quadfisher
Posts: 1146
Date Joined: 28/09/10
lock up convertor
not sure if that model has a lockup convertor, but thats what drops your revs down at cruising revs.
It locks the convertor together, which always has some inherunt slip in it.Some older lock ups seem to be
mechanical not electronic, so the friction ring can wear out.
As other guys said service first , with maybe 2 changes of oil ,pricey but may help.
And maybe a quote for a new convertor if the rest of the auto checks out ok.
quadfisher
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
Thanks for your input guys,
Thanks for your input guys, Yeah it does have the lock up converter, Just run the car down into the workshop down the back, looks like I may have done a core plug too. That would explain my overheating issues coming back from the airport last night
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
dogga
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 20/12/10
get an oil sample done.
get an oil sample done.
dogga
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 20/12/10
get an oil sample done.
get an oil sample done.
Rob H
Posts: 5817
Date Joined: 18/01/12
quadfisher
quadfisher has hit the nail on the head. The lock up TC has packed up but it could be chicken and egg.
THe auto failing to lock up can cause it to overheat and changed the fluid colour smell. OR something else has played up causing lock failure.
Take it to an auto trans place.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Graeme76
Posts: 287
Date Joined: 03/10/11
You could buy an entire
You could buy an entire properly recond gearbox for less than a trans place would charge to put in a new convertor or 2 whole boxes if you don't mind risking secondhand. It's an old car with a very common gearbox so they are fairly cheap now. If a flush & filter change doesn't do the trick then I'd change the entire trans & be done with it.
Rob H
Posts: 5817
Date Joined: 18/01/12
thats true Graeme but it
thats true Graeme but it could be as simple as a broken wire stopping the TC from locking up and hence overheating.
Itd be possible to put a new one in and still have the same problem
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
The issue with the converter
The issue with the converter is an intermittant one, does it sometimes then comes good.
Cheers
Dale
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Graeme76
Posts: 287
Date Joined: 03/10/11
Would of been handly to know
Would of been handly to know it was intermittent earlier, it probably is the convertor in that case. Do a flush & filter change on it as well, good practice when you do any work on a trans & it probably needs it anyway. Not many people think to get thier trans serviced or even know how easy it is to do yourself.