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P.S. Make, model, year, engine would be nice to know when posting problems.
Most manufacturers want the trans at operating temp.
1993 Ford manual: "The automatic transaxle fluid level can only be established at an operating temperature of 66C-77C (150F-170F) (dipstick is hot to the touch). The operating temperature may be obtained 24-32 km (15-20 miles) of city type driving with the outside temperature above 10C (50F)"
1996 Aurora/Riviera manual:
"Fluid level should be checked when it reaches normal operating temperatures of 88C to 93C (190F to 200F). This temperature is reached after approximately 24 km (15 miles) of highway driving." Ditto for most GM's.
Some GM fwd models have a thermo element in the channel plate separating the lower sump from the upper (side) sump. The 4T40&45-E use an oil level control valve. When the element or valve opens it allows fluid to be drawn from the lower sump to the upper. Fluid level in the lower sump DECREASES when the unit warms up. My guess is the owner of the Malibu had the trans service done then fluid level checked with the transaxle cold and the fluid level control valve closed.
This 104 deg F temp is probably the min to make sure the upper chamber is full.
I still have 8 K to go on my 00 4T40E trans before fluid filter change and really not 100% sure on how to do it.
How do I go about in pinpoint the leak if there is a leak? Any post would be helpful!!
my truck is a 2000 Ranger, if that helps. Did i do damage? how much? its still under warranty...any stories i can tell the deler to get them to check it for me and not make fun of me? lol
The technician, a serious man in his forties, did it exactly the same way. He even demonstrated me the printouts with GM instructions. The shop accesses them using computer, and the technician printed the insructions to be sure.
The technician told me, that at required temperature, the ATF stayed exactly on the check hole level. He did not need to add anything to check. This is why he did not open the box of ATF I provided.
He is not sure, though, if Mobil 1 synthetic transmission fluid is a good replacement to Dexron III, required by GM. He never worked with synthetic ATF before. Suggested to call GM and to ask direct confirmation.
I looked again on the Mobil 1 ATF bottle: it says "Dexron III" on the very top line. The Mobil 1 site says: Applications: Provides performance superior to GM Dexron® III and Mercon® in all domestic and imported cars and most automatic truck transmissions.
http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp
and Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is a superior Dexron® III-qualified product ... in data sheet.
Called GM customer service, and get confirmation that if the bottle is saying "Dexron III", it must work. However, I have an impression, that the lady at customer service knew nothing about Mobil 1, nor synthetics ATF generally.
I made an appointment at dealership for Friday morning to check the transmission. Will drive there only after thoroughly warming the car.
The diagnose turned to be: "a problem inside transmission. It is less expensive to replace the whole assembly"...
I am not a mechanical engineer. However, do not see anything wrong with remanufactured parts. Processed on factory, according to standards, in average, they probably are at least not worse than the same parts fixed and reassembled at shop. I do not like to waste people's work and throw things away. However, in our mass production age this old-fashioned customs are less reliable.
Additionally, I hope, there must be a warranty for remanufactured transmission. And, any case, the car still will be covered for several years by the extended warranty. 4 or 5 years, I do not remember exactly.
Of course, this is just my opinion. Personally, I have very limited experience with cars. Did not have car before emigrating, and learned to drive already in USA.
Richard Chevrolet, Cheshire, CT is a very good dealership. Several years ago it was even nominated by GM as "the best big Chevrolet dealeship" nationwide in the user satisfaction. They treated us very well for the 3.5 years since we bought the car, and I trust their opinion.
The employees work here forever, and are very competent. Did not see anybody leave in service department in the 3.5 years. All walls of the department are covered by certificates from professional societies, GM, state, etc., demonstrating that the service advisers, managers, and others have continous professional education, passed tests every year, etc., etc.
Of course, anybody who works makes mistakes sometimes. However, I do not think that I can find more competent shop, and definitely cannot do it easy and fast. Even more, than I cannot search for a good mechanic the usual way: through common friends and / or word of mouth.
Have too few friends around. Immigrated less than 6 years ago, when was 45 years old - not the age when you make a lot of new friends. Especially with rather limited English, and technical job requiring few contacts with humans.
Later
AL
The modern transmission filter and fluid are very good, though. GM recommends replacing them after 50,000 miles for severe deriving conditions; otherwise they are good for the life of car. This is for natural Dexron III ATF, not synthetic.
Thank you!
So we got back, and checked the trans fluid. Keep in mind, he put less than 1000 miles on the car, and the fluid was the same oil as the motor oil! Quick sniff, smells somewhat like ATF. Oh [non-permissible content removed].
I told him get the pan dropped and the whole nine yards. Do it ASAP. Call CarSense and make them do the whole nine yards. I also told him to ask why they did not check the ATF condition also.
Here's what they said:
-We don't check the condition of the ATF until 30,000 miles
-Don't worry you'll be fine driving it (over 200 miles back to the dealership)
-We'll take a look at it.
I'm going to love to read their diagnosis and see if they just did a quick drain-refill instead.
Brought the car to dealership at 8am Friday, the service adviser called me to say that "All set" 9am Saturday. Exactly 8 days, mostly waiting for the transmission.
Invoice:
Trans slipping when its cold
Found tranny worn out
Replaced tranny
- auto tran diagnosis hours :9.00, $675
- trans rem, $2325;
- core return, -$700
...
Total invoice $2300.
of course, the labor included much more than diagnostics.
Our extended warranty covered the full amount. We bought it because bought the car used, with unknown history, and had a lot of small problems while under the initial manufacturer warranty. Now we are very glad that bought the warranty.
The service adviser told us that the transmission is as new, and will not need service for the next 40,000-45,000 miles. There is no break-in period, I can drive the car the usual way from the very beginning.
While drove the car home, everything looked fine. Too short time to know, though.
While without the car, I borrowed a car from my sister. Her daughter is in college, and the car is sitting unused.
94 Olds Sierra S, built in summer 1993. To the best of my understanding, it have earlier modifications of the same engine and transmission as my Malibu. 103k miles on odometer (well, 102900+).
Was impressed by its ride: the suspension is more tight, transmission shifts a notch more aggressively, the car pulls great, especially from stop / at low speed. Only when driving up step hills at 35-40 mph, I felt that the engine have somewhat less power that Malibu.
Removing the bad transmission and replacing it must be a whole day work. Odometer shows, that they even test-drove the car for several miles, 15 or so.
However, there were no other charges in invoice, but for parts and diagnostics. When I brought the car, the service adviser told me that diagnostics will cost $75 - this is one hour of labor with that shop. I believe, the 9 hours of labor includes all jobs, not diagnostics only. Just bad wording.
By the way, the car accelerates much better now, cold and hot. As fast as in 1998, when we bought it.
I did not feel the slow performance degradation. Or rather felt something, for a whole year or more, but was too unsure.
Turned to be, the transmission behaved bad at any temperature - but only recently it became so obvious, and only when cold.
-We cannot change the fluid because it requires special tools.
-Take it to a Subaru dealership, AND it will be covered under warranty.
-He shouldn't worry about the consequences of driving the car around (with the fluid looking like motor oil).
------------
Total B.S. what they said about the fluid change covered under warranty. He's driving a ticking time bomb.
Your color indicates that the fluid is old, but if it's not real dark, then you should still be OK.
Thanks in advance for you input
and I now have 40,000 miles on the re-build. They flushed the converter, and even cut the filter apart, looking for cuttings. In the discussions on the Dodge A/T's from the late 80's and 90's, the horror stories are everywhere about what a total disaster the factory units were/are. I am sure there might be some exceptions where someone has put 100,000 + miles on an original one, but from the Class Action Lawsuits, Consumer Complaints and my own re-build, I think an original Chysler MiniVan A/T still running without a re-build is rare.
the good news is however, the 'aftermarket' people who fix these things everyday of the week, know what the problems are, and have "kits" that include the fixes to the original problem areas.
(Seals that turn brittle and self destruct, pins that break under the stress of the tourqe, and so on.) There might be some truth in all of this, as our family has had a ' factory rebuilt' from Chrysler, self destruct in 24,000 miles! the tranny shop guy sighed and said, "well, a Chrysler rebuilt, can be re-built back to factory specs'. Same parts, so, same problems. The 'aftermarket' re-build' that we have, is proof there are builders out there know how to get these things working, its just too bad it isn't Chrysler. I have noticed that all the auto trans'rebuild shops in our area are carrying 'Lubeguard', if it does half of what the company hype says, it will be worth the extra $12.00 to help keep my Van on the road, and out of the shop.
But now I have to force down on the gas pedal to downshift during stop & go traffic.
But it feels normal during Highway driving.
FYI: ATF required Dexron III
Replaced it with AMSOIL Synthetic Universal ATF.
BTW it is still under warranty but I like to identify the problem correctly when talking with my service manager.
Gooroos, I need your precious insight into this matter.
One very important aspect of auto trans rebuilding that even professionals sometimes overlook is cleanliness, very very meticulous cleanliness when working and assembling.