While doing a search earlier today on transmission coolers, I ran across a response indicating that the '91 Q45 transmission is somehow different from the 90 transmission and the 92-94 transmission. It seemed to imply that the 91 might be more prone to failure than these other years.
I have a '91Q getting close to 75k on the clock. What kind of life expectancy can I expect on this transmission assuming Mobil 1 ATF and annual (25k) flushes.
timatt
BTW: Finishing up on installing new chain guides today. Original guides were intact with no cracking. Nothing like a little peace of mind.
'91 Q45 transmission differences
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Q45tech
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Have you owned the car since brand new? Are you sure the transmission is orginal.
Every 91 I've seen has had a replacement transmission [metal sticker on left rear of pan] and a group of external mods plus a substituted tcu [31036-64U11 or 31036-64U70]----- all done under warranty.
As I understand it people complained about the 90 shift harshess so they did some software tweaks for 91 along with some newer type clutch materials. These turned out to hurt reliablity.
Every 91 I've seen has had a replacement transmission [metal sticker on left rear of pan] and a group of external mods plus a substituted tcu [31036-64U11 or 31036-64U70]----- all done under warranty.
As I understand it people complained about the 90 shift harshess so they did some software tweaks for 91 along with some newer type clutch materials. These turned out to hurt reliablity.
Thanks for the info.
I purchased the car in October with 66k from the original owner who claimed that other than oil changes, the only work that had been done was a new master cylinder and a new serpentine belt. He is an older gentleman who I have no reason not to believe (he only asked $4500 for the car so he wasn't trying to screw me on price). I'll check for the sticker on the transmission pan next week while I'm under there.
The car runs and shifts perfectly so far. It also has no TCU. This week was chain guides and next week I plan a pan drop/filter change along with a transmission flush with Mobil 1. I'm weighing whether to install a transmission fluid cooler to lengthen the life of the transmission.
timatt
I purchased the car in October with 66k from the original owner who claimed that other than oil changes, the only work that had been done was a new master cylinder and a new serpentine belt. He is an older gentleman who I have no reason not to believe (he only asked $4500 for the car so he wasn't trying to screw me on price). I'll check for the sticker on the transmission pan next week while I'm under there.
The car runs and shifts perfectly so far. It also has no TCU. This week was chain guides and next week I plan a pan drop/filter change along with a transmission flush with Mobil 1. I'm weighing whether to install a transmission fluid cooler to lengthen the life of the transmission.
timatt
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Q451990
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timatt wrote:It also has no TCU... I'm weighing whether to install a transmission fluid cooler to lengthen the life of the transmission.
TCU = Transmission Control Unit... they all have them. I would definately add the cooler! Did you do the TC Guides yourself, or did you have someone take care of that for you?
Heath
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Q45tech
- Moderator
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- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Look for a funky mini inline cooler with fins at the front of transmission pan and a ATF drain plug and some slot vents in the bottom of the TC bell housing. The orginal oem trannies had no ATF drain plug.
Many times trannies were just swapped under warranty, the previous owner may not have known...........in 90-91 and even 92 the service was ultra excellant - lots of things were changed and owners never knew, other than some notation on the customer work order copy. .........campaign # N/C.
Many times trannies were just swapped under warranty, the previous owner may not have known...........in 90-91 and even 92 the service was ultra excellant - lots of things were changed and owners never knew, other than some notation on the customer work order copy. .........campaign # N/C.
I'll check into the service history on this car as you suggest. From what I gather, it seems unusual for a '91 transmission to last this long?
Also to answer an earlier question, No, I did not do the chain guides myself. I purchased the parts from Scottsdale, then convinced a friend who is an experienced independent mechanic locally to install them. He completed the job with 9 hours of labor. Upon completion, he started it briefly til things quieted down and everything seems in order. I pick it up this afternoon (gotta let the RTV cure).
Thanks for the correction on TCU. I was thinking that was acronym for traction control unit, something that after driving this car all winter, I was sure that this car did not have!
Also to answer an earlier question, No, I did not do the chain guides myself. I purchased the parts from Scottsdale, then convinced a friend who is an experienced independent mechanic locally to install them. He completed the job with 9 hours of labor. Upon completion, he started it briefly til things quieted down and everything seems in order. I pick it up this afternoon (gotta let the RTV cure).
Thanks for the correction on TCU. I was thinking that was acronym for traction control unit, something that after driving this car all winter, I was sure that this car did not have!
