transmission slipping?

[natsoundup]

Like a good soldier, yesterday I had my transmission fluid exchanged.

Later that afternoon my transmission started slipping....

Let me describe: no problems accelerating through the gears, however once you get into 4th gear, it will slip if you try to accelerate fast.

Example: get into fourth at 40mph , 2k rpm....try to accelerate quickly, it will go up to 3800 rpms, then settle back.

Example: get into fourth at 60 mph.... same thing ...try to accelerate quickly, it will go up to 4 rpms, then settle back.

Full disclosure and background. The dealer replaced this transmission at 93k miles. At 127k miles I had the fluid exchanged for the first time. It is now pushing 157, so I had it done again.

So you can beat me up: Neither the dealer nor myself ever put on a cooler..... but before you beat me up...I didn't find this board until about 18 months ago.

No pan drop and filter changes.

Does this warrant my first trip to T3 or is the transmission headed south?

[Rex]

Cause the experts will want to know, is it a Q?, J? year? etc?

Just trying to be helpful

[natsoundup]

I am sorry 1990 Q45

I bought it in 1993 with 42k , replaced the transmission at 93k, now with 156,800k.

[PalmerWMD]

No pan drop and filter exchange w/ a flush is bad news.

I am sure by now u checked the level and its right. right?

Likely a clog, caused somewhere, by loose debris from pan and/or clogged filter

My solution :do and drop filter change then another flush then check filter and replace again.

Do it <now> driving with a slipping TC will destroy it in short order.

Fred...

[PalmerWMD]

I think its absolutely irresponsible, how so many dealers routinely offer flushes, w/o insisting on a concurrent pan drop/filter exchange.They are the professionals and should know better.

Fred..

[natsoundup]

ok.....i will have to do this.......

[Q451990]

I'd have the pan drop and filter replacement done immediately... as in don't drive it except to the shop and then very gently.

Heath

P.S. A/C control showed up yesterday... thanks!

[PalmerWMD]

Try to get $$ off from the price that work.

If they orgianlyl refused a pan drop/filter exchange especially.If they say the filter doesnt exist, there is the part NUmber somewhere here on this site.

Fred..

[natsoundup]

any thoughts on driving it in 3rd on a limited basis?

Also is there a drain plug in the pan....?

[PalmerWMD]

Also is there a drain plug in the pan....?

<If> you have the updated pan, yes.

Many dont even if an updatred transmission.

Fred...

[natsoundup]

well, I am taking it back in later today....I'll keep everyone post...and my fingers crossed.......

[Q451990]

I think there's just a big stack of pans that get painted at the reman. plant. I had one with a drain bolt, one without. The one without has an updated bell housing design with vents near the torque convertor - go figure. I think I counted two or three "remanfactured" stickers stuck on top of each other when I peeled them off. I ordered a new pan from Joe for about $35-40 with the drain. I'll put it on during the next pan drop so I have the option of doing partial fluid replacements between flushes.

Heath

[Q451990]

any thoughts on driving it in 3rd on a limited basis?

I don't think it'll hurt anything...

Heath

[Q45tech]

64,000 miles is pretty good life for a reman that was only warrantied for 12,000 miles. Especially since the warranty requires a new radiator and a change of ecu.

Time the flush [3.5 to 4.0 minutes at idle] that will tell you more than you want to know.

I'll bet few flush operators follow the preliminary proceedures to the letter as it would take an extra 30 minutes and for $120 you just can't afford to spend more than 35 minutes total.

As Fred said a real flush should include a pan drop, filter change, magnet clean and polish........another 3 quarts to set it up for the flush, a 30 minute drive with the solvents inside, then the flush say 2.5- 3 hours [$175-$210] plus [$34+12+$12+29 +12=$99 in parts/fluids] or $$275-$310 to do it perfect. This is how you get remans to last 150,000 miles not a cheapo $120 halfway flush.

My 3rd transmission has about 40k and has been flushed 3 times already.........only one pan drop. I'm slipping hope the transmission doesn't notice.

[DougQ45]

While you are at it, check the heat exchanger (3/8 inch diameter pipe in drivers side of radiator) for restriction. If you can't blow air through it with ease, its plugged. If it is plugged you can either: i) by pass it completely and put in cooler in, or ii) pull the radiator and have the whole thing cleaned out with some Nissan "Cooler Cleaner". Had one that wouldn't pass a wisp of air come out real nice. Car now runs like a rocket.

[natsoundup]

I'll check the radiator, but I recently pulled it and cleaned it...so I don't think that is the problem...

had the pan dropped and the transmission re-flushed yesterday....no change....

I am driving the car in third gear....not much of a change around town..... yesterday on the interstate, when I got up to speed i shifted to drive....it kicks in with no problem....I am just not accelerating in drive....... maintaining speed on a level grade is no problem.....

I guess I will keep everyone posted...this may last for a day , a month , or a year...

When I lost the last transmission...it happened quickly...it wouldn't go into gear....and then when it did I limped home.....I couldn't even make it to the dealer to get it fixed.

I probably drove 80 miles yesterday.....

I have also begun looking for alternative transportation. I realize this is probably the end.

[Q451990]

had the pan dropped and the transmission re-flushed yesterday....no change

Did they replace the filter?

Heath

[Aus94Q45]

The dealer here stopped doing flushes and only does pan drops. Not sure that the changed procedure in isolation is any better. They commented to me that the flush without the pan drop was causing problems. Not rocket science.

[natsoundup]

they changed the filter.....the old one is a metal screen sandwiched in between two pieces of metal..

You couldn't see a lot of the filter, but it didn't look too bad....

he said the magnet had a lot of stuff on it.....he had a term for the crud..said it is clutch material that wears...

I am going to drive the car, hoping that something is stuck and will dislodge.....

.....however Q45 tech said that it just might be wearing out...

.... I guess that would bother me a bit...because I am a relatively easy driver..... it's a shame because I just put a new A/C compressor and drier on it.... and some other parts as well....

[Q45tech]

Find a 90-96 Q wreck $500-$600 would be a good price for a used transmission. The Japanese take out guys in Atlanta have them in stock....it will fit in an empty Q trunk [3 guys].

[natsoundup]

How much would T-3 charge to install it....I'll come to Atlanta.

I live 2 1/2 hours away...

I wans't even aware of the Japanese take out guys.... how do you know the mileage on those things?

[Q45tech]

You don't know the mileage, the rub is you get no labor warranty or beyond a 30 day warranty from the takeout place. {just like any junkyard].

I was thinking in terms of you supplying a transmission of your chosing] we don't like to hear about problems with used parts.

About $700 labor [transfering your good working sensors] plus an external cooler and a $120 flush and a pan drop clean and reseal $200 say $1,000 plus tax........you supplying the unit [delivered to us].

Not necessarily cost effective vs $3,000 for a remanned that will probably last 60k.............kind of 50/50......for half the money.

Dawns on me we have a few junk cars with working trannies [or they were before the engines went]. Call and ask Doug about the cream one with the crumbled hood.

[Q45tech]

The problem with a used or Japanese takeout transmission is you cannot see inside [oil port or pull valve cover] unlike an engine.

[PalmerWMD]

Nate:Sorry for sounding terse earleir I wasnt being Terse at you..:oface.

We are here for you man in your time of need for support!

Also living this close to T3, and them maybe having a used unit....

T3 can be a godsend I just got back a few hopurs ago from a almost 900 miles roundtrip top have them fix my sunroof and police up some smaller things.I estimate I saved well over a grand by making this trip.Plus the peace of mind provided by the limitless competence there.

If I lived only 2.5 hours away I'd go there for <everything> except maybe oil changes..

Or maybe those too just for a chance to rap with Dennis.

Fred..

[natsoundup]

Thanks, Fred.... I think I will call T-3 and ask about what they have...

[natsoundup]

....just an update.....

I am still driving the Q, keeping it in 3rd and then shifting into OD when up to speed on level surface...

Put on a couple of hundred miles...since the problem developed...I am going to try one more flush....

At this stage I have decided that when the transmission goes, that will be it (if the final flush does nothing)

I made a pact to myself, that if the A/C, transmission, or my old guide engine went, I would let the car go...

...well, when the A/C went...I did it myself on the cheap... almost for grins...(with everyone's help)

I am currently looking for a lower mileage 97-99 Q.... however, I might need a stop gap car in-between

We'll see.

[greg_atlanta]

Hmmm.... tough call. After 10 years driving the same car it may be time for a change.

[elwesso]

I agree...... But would you be able to let it go.......

10 years you can really get attached to something!!!

[natsoundup]

Before I took this car over from my wife....I drove a 1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE for 12 years.....

Actually that was the best car I ever owned..... paid 5500, sold 12 years later for 4800...... averaged about 1200 a year in repairs and service....of course I did some stuff myself and it was easy to service.... I also lived very close to work...did about 7k a year on it.... so the cost per mile wasn't so cheap...but everytime I filled it up, someone would come over and ask a question.

That was a tough car to give up...I just couldn't justify 3 cars with only a two car garage.... and I needed a change....

Engine: 4.5 ..... not nearly as quick as the Q.

[greg_atlanta]

There's nothing classier than buying a nice car and driving it forever. A friend of mine has a 1974 MB S-class (celery green) which he bought new and still drives; he has plenty of money to buy a nice new car, but can't find anything he likes.