Is this normal? When I dont let my car warm up (say the coolant is barely at 140) the engine revs and then the transmission jerks into place. Also yesterday on my way home from work I jumped on the freeway and the coolant was at 165 but the oil was still on low I had to accelerate to pass a car (I gave it alot of gas) and the engine reved up high like the car was in neutral so I let off of it and proceded slowly and the car went. It doesnt seem like its getting worse but it only happens when the car is cold.

 

Check the fluid level hot and cold.It sounds like you got some slippage going on.I would also advise you to have the fluid and filter change BUT not flushed.Dropping the trans pan down can really let you see if its getting bad in there.I think you can be on borrowed time if the fluid is full and it slips when cold.Flushing is no good on tranmissions with high mileage or age.

Anyways I have a 91 Lumina beater car with almost 190,000 miles.When I bought my car it had around 130,000 miles,and it would slip a little on cold days.Had to wait until it warmed up to get it into drive.I changed the fluid,filter and added a can of B&G transmission tune up.The B&G kit also comes with the flush can but did not use the flush.Just added the tune up can to the fluid and its been fine for a few years now.This may or may not help.

Aside from this,a rebuild may be in order if nothing else works.

 

If the fluid level is correct and the filter is not blocked. It is transmission rebuild time.

 

I know where it should be at hot (the dip stick says) but where should the level be at cold?

 

Most auto transmission problem manifest themselves more when the tranny is cold. Unless fluid is low sounds like rebuild time!

 

It is not at all uncommon for an older auto transmission to act as you say. The clutches apply by means of a hydraulic piston sealed in its bore by either lip or o-ring seals. The seals eventually become hard and lose their pliability and sealing ability. This allows the fluid to by-pass the piston seals and not apply the clutches. On 700's, reverse usually acts up before the forward clutches, but not always. By letting the car run, the fluid heats up, softens the seals, and allows clutch application.

Hot fluid is also thinner fluid, so if the filter is old and clogged, it will have the symptoms you describe--worse when cold, and improving as the fluid thins out. If the filter is clogged, it might make a whining noise when cold (pump cavitation).

Trans additives are OK. They won't hurt anything worse than it already is. They react on the rubber in the seals and temporarily swell and soften them up. I've heard of using brake fluid or lacquer thinner, but I think your best bet is an over-the-counter product.

Check your fluid level (cold level is to the bottom of the crosshatches). Don't worry if its a little overfull. If level is OK then pour in the additive. It may improve enough to get you thru the winter, then it should be alright thru the summer due to warmer temps. This should buy you some time before you have to spend the big bucks on an overhaul. Good luck.

 

I would say that the filter is most likely dirty. A cold and dirty filter will not flow as well as a hot and dirty filter. Hence the low fluid pressure when cold that causes the slippage.

 

Just went through this on the wife's Formula...started just like you describe, then the trans started making a bad clicking noise in fwd and rev.

 

I was just too lazy to type it all out. This post hits the nail on the head. I just did an e4od ford trans for a friend. They dumped in 4 cans of trans treatment in hopes of fixing the problem. Did not make it worse, or better. It was worth a try though. When we dissassembled the trans, the rubber rings were popped off and the grew before our eyes. Lesson learned: too much is bad

 

my 85 has been slipping for years. It only slips on initial startup after it sits for a couple days or more. If I use the car every day it doesn't slip. Changing the fluid and filter did not help. Anyone have ideas on this?

 

Possibly worn pump vanes, or another leak like what was described. Every once in a while, they slip and last for months or years. I am never that lucky though.

 

thanks for all the replies, i'll try the cheap route with changing the tranny filter, its worth a try. If not i guess i better save my pennies for a rebuild.