Auto trans question,need info,please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Auto trans question,need info,please
I need some help,please. My 78 L82 has an auto trans, been sitting for a couple years. I start it up regularly, but don't drive it, tags expired, but i do put it in gear and move it forward and back when i start it. Prob: it doesn't move right away when i put it in gear and i think the trans is all gummed up or the filter is clogged, does anyone know of a good additive i can add to the trans to get it freed up, or should i change the fluid and filter prior to adding something to it. I hope I'm not in for a rebuild, as i'm trying to get it ready to sell. It's a great car but i can't stand the smog crap anymore.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. I know someone here can help with this.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. I know someone here can help with this.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,376
Likes: 6,375
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Change your fluid and filter first. If your filter is clogged, or if your fluid is old and thickened, you will not get adequate feed on the suction side of the pump. This lowers line pressure and delays actuation of the clutch drums. Don't keep putting the car in and out of gear under these conditions, because you're burning the heck out of the clutches by doing so. If the fluid and filter change does not fix the problem, it's time for a tranny rebuild. Suggest you do it before it fails completely, since a total failure will pump clutch material and metal throughout the tranny, and this will score the bushings, damage the front pump, and destroy the converter.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Kona, thanks for the response,i was thinking thats what i should do but as usual trying to take the easy way.
Lars,
thanks for the help. never gave a thought to screwing up the clutches. will definetly take, both of you guys advice. should I drain all the fluid, ie: converter also?
Thanks guys
Rich
Lars,
thanks for the help. never gave a thought to screwing up the clutches. will definetly take, both of you guys advice. should I drain all the fluid, ie: converter also?
Thanks guys
Rich
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
I don't think you will ever be able to get all the old fluid out w/o the machine they use at a Tranny shop. I think if you drop the pan and change the fluid you ought to be allright.
About a $100 bucks if you take it to a shop and and have them flush it.
Kona
About a $100 bucks if you take it to a shop and and have them flush it.
Kona
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Originally Posted by kona
I don't think you will ever be able to get all the old fluid out w/o the machine they use at a Tranny shop. I think if you drop the pan and change the fluid you ought to be allright.
About a $100 bucks if you take it to a shop and and have them flush it.
Kona
About a $100 bucks if you take it to a shop and and have them flush it.
Kona
Thats what I figured, but it is real old fluid and I thought if whats in the tranny is crap then if i only change that is it going to get mixed with what's in the converter. I admit I am not auto trans smart and proably never will be,now that I got the stick in the 73. maybe it's worth the $100 to get all the old stuff out. Does the converter fluid mix with the fluid in the pan? I should read up on the auto to get some info for my brain. Shouldn't have let it sit there so long anyhow.
Thanks again
Rich
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
If you have the bucks and a way to get the car to the shop do it for no other reason than for your peace of mind. Besides compare the cost of a rebuild and the cost of a flush and $100 bucks doesn't seem so bad.
Consider it cheap insurance. They will flush eveything including the converter and cooling lines. By the way I'm having the overdrive in the 80 done as we speak $1600 Big Ones. OUCH!!!
Kona
Consider it cheap insurance. They will flush eveything including the converter and cooling lines. By the way I'm having the overdrive in the 80 done as we speak $1600 Big Ones. OUCH!!!
Kona
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Kona,
Yep, your right $100 cheap compared to rebuild, also right about getting it there with expired tags, may have to use the plates off the 73 to get it there, but then again, don't know if it will make it there.
Whoa, $1600 is a lot of money.
May get a trailer to get it there.
Rich
Yep, your right $100 cheap compared to rebuild, also right about getting it there with expired tags, may have to use the plates off the 73 to get it there, but then again, don't know if it will make it there.
Whoa, $1600 is a lot of money.May get a trailer to get it there.
Rich
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Originally Posted by 73 red vette
I need some help,please. My 78 L82 has an auto trans, been sitting for a couple years. I start it up regularly, but don't drive it, tags expired, but i do put it in gear and move it forward and back when i start it. Prob: it doesn't move right away when i put it in gear and i think the trans is all gummed up or the filter is clogged, does anyone know of a good additive i can add to the trans to get it freed up, or should i change the fluid and filter prior to adding something to it. I hope I'm not in for a rebuild, as i'm trying to get it ready to sell. It's a great car but i can't stand the smog crap anymore.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. I know someone here can help with this.
Thanks in advance for any info you can provide. I know someone here can help with this.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
Originally Posted by Matt O
If it were my car I would drop the pan and change the fluid and filter. Check for water in the pan and rust. With a clean pan, fluid and filter I would then take it in for a trans flush. I have seen water and rust in the pan which results in crap building up in the control valves. Good luck!
Thanks for your input, sounds like a good way to approach the problem.
I've never had the trans flushed since i bought the car in 81. So it probably would be a good idea to do it that way.
Do they drop the pan again when they flush the trans? If so, I may as well let them do the whole job.
Rich
Btw, can anyone tell me how to direct my reply to the sender of the post???????
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Originally Posted by 73 red vette
Matt,
Thanks for your input, sounds like a good way to approach the problem.
I've never had the trans flushed since i bought the car in 81. So it probably would be a good idea to do it that way.
Do they drop the pan again when they flush the trans? If so, I may as well let them do the whole job.
Rich
Btw, can anyone tell me how to direct my reply to the sender of the post???????
Thanks for your input, sounds like a good way to approach the problem.
I've never had the trans flushed since i bought the car in 81. So it probably would be a good idea to do it that way.
Do they drop the pan again when they flush the trans? If so, I may as well let them do the whole job.
Rich
Btw, can anyone tell me how to direct my reply to the sender of the post???????
changed on my wifes Caddy a couple years ago and they diden't drop the pan. For the record the trans worked fine after that...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
THIS IS WHY I PUT A DEEP PAN WITH A DRAIN PLUG ON MY 73 - after the new pan/filter were installed, i only have to drop the pan plug and add the fluid.wait a few weeks,, do it again ,,and before you know it its all good fluid! and i didnt have to give someone $100.00 for a fluid change
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by carl a
THIS IS WHY I PUT A DEEP PAN WITH A DRAIN PLUG ON MY 73 - after the new pan/filter were installed, i only have to drop the pan plug and add the fluid.wait a few weeks,, do it again ,,and before you know it its all good fluid! and i didnt have to give someone $100.00 for a fluid change
has worked many time's