88 Automatic Transmission
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
88 Automatic Transmission
Like to have some input with auto trans. owners.
I don't have a problem with the trans. yet, but since I am driving more than 600 miles round trip every weekend in the south west (Las Vegas to Los Angeles). How can I tell when the trans. is about to die on me.
The trans. has ~152,xxx miles with a rebuild engine at about 12,xxx miles. I don't beat the car much since I know the trans. has many miles on it.
I don't remember how the trans. feel like before the engine rebuild. After the engine rebuild the 1st to 2nd shift is a little harsh. The trans. fluid has been change since the engine rebuild and it seem to work fine so far. I really do not want to have the car break down on I-15 in middle of nowhere:rolleyes:
I don't have a problem with the trans. yet, but since I am driving more than 600 miles round trip every weekend in the south west (Las Vegas to Los Angeles). How can I tell when the trans. is about to die on me.
The trans. has ~152,xxx miles with a rebuild engine at about 12,xxx miles. I don't beat the car much since I know the trans. has many miles on it.
I don't remember how the trans. feel like before the engine rebuild. After the engine rebuild the 1st to 2nd shift is a little harsh. The trans. fluid has been change since the engine rebuild and it seem to work fine so far. I really do not want to have the car break down on I-15 in middle of nowhere:rolleyes:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 88 Automatic Transmission (VQT88Vette)
I don't know the failure modes of our A4 but preventative maintence would be a good idea:
-change fluid & filter
-assure TV cable is properly adjusted.
-change fluid & filter
-assure TV cable is properly adjusted.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: 88 Automatic Transmission (65Z01)
I don't know the failure modes of our A4 but preventative maintence would be a good idea:
-change fluid & filter
-assure TV cable is properly adjusted.
-change fluid & filter
-assure TV cable is properly adjusted.
The fuild and filter were changed ~12K miles. How do I know the TV cable is properly adjusted?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 88 Automatic Transmission (VQT88Vette)
The quick way to reset it is to press the tang, move the slider towared the firewall slightly then get inside the car and press the accelerator to the floor.
The surefire way is to have a mechanic monitor fluid pressure as the slider is positioned. A big contributor to wear is slippage due to low fluid pressure.
In any case, in your circumstance it might be a good safety measure to have it looked over by a reputible tranny shop, not one of the chain shops.
The surefire way is to have a mechanic monitor fluid pressure as the slider is positioned. A big contributor to wear is slippage due to low fluid pressure.
In any case, in your circumstance it might be a good safety measure to have it looked over by a reputible tranny shop, not one of the chain shops.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,099
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: 88 Automatic Transmission (65Z01)
If your fluid stays red, youre ok.
But heat is really what kills the 700r4, excessive engine heat and outside heat gets to it really bad. It starts cooking the fluid and it turns almost black and then sh** happens.
If you are worried about it, put a tranny cooler in it, a 20F drop in temp will extend its life greatly if everything inside it is good now. Soft parts will deteriorate over time, hopefully yours are still good since you dont beat on it.
But heat is really what kills the 700r4, excessive engine heat and outside heat gets to it really bad. It starts cooking the fluid and it turns almost black and then sh** happens.
If you are worried about it, put a tranny cooler in it, a 20F drop in temp will extend its life greatly if everything inside it is good now. Soft parts will deteriorate over time, hopefully yours are still good since you dont beat on it.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: 88 Automatic Transmission (vader86)
I have the factory oil cooler. So far I seen the oil temp ~220 driving around Las Vegas with long stop at traffic light. While driving on the Highway the temp stay around 205-210 degree.
The fluid is still kinder red.
The fluid is still kinder red.
