transmission whine

[Mayhem_J30]

starting up cold and drive i get a whine from the transmission. A VERY short distance later the whine stops and the transmission begins to slip then becomes nonexistant. I read where DougQ45 did a pan drop/filter clean and it fixed the problem. Is this what I'm looking at? I had a pan drop and filter change early last year which makes me wonder why the filter would be clogged already (if it is). If I go according to accounted records that change was the 2nd change it's had since 35,000 miles.

[DAEDALUS]

I also doubt the filter is clogged already, but if it is, then that's bad news. Ultimately (with regard to a possibly clogged filter) you care about pressure and volumetric flow, though usually a good pressure reading coincides with adequate flow rate. I hope Dennis can give a better value here than my guess, but I'll say 15psi or higher would be acceptable. Reading the pressure would be much easier than dropping the pan, as long as you have a pressure gauge. You can tap right into the transmission cooler lines. Without a gauge, then maybe you could time how long it takes the pump to fill up a quart-bottle. Should take about 20-25 seconds if my numbers are right.

[autotech43]

Mayhem, what you have is the auto transmission pulling air into the fluid due to the filter clog(aerated fluid). Since you have already had the filter changed you're most likely looking at the transmission being replaced. Alot of times the reason that you can get by with just the fluid and filter change, ( in most cases), the friction material isn't coming from the clutch drums or the brake band, but from the friction material in the torque convertor that operates the lock up, therefore everything works fine for a short period of time. Hope this helps!

[DougQ45]

Mayhem: The Q that suffered from your symptom was just serviced by the dealer who did a fluid exchange with a very strong cleaner. Unfortunately this was the first service done on the transmission, at 85,000 miles. They did not drop the pan, or replace the filter, claiming it "would cause all kinds of internal leaks". After buying the car from the distressed owner, I lucked out when pan drop and filter replacement worked. However, it was so filthy it required 2 more flushes and filters to get really clean. Since yours was recently replaced it sounds like it could be something more serious, BUT it would not cost much to try the pan drop and filter change. The screen is so fine, I don't know if you see all of the particles that actually clog them up. Maybe a good last resort!??

[Mayhem_J30]

Thanks guys. I'm just trying to dig for a cause and fix that doesn't cost as much. Pleading for a miracle is more like it. I accepted the fact that it outlived it's life expectancy a year ago so I should be proud it lasted so long.

I noticed Level 10 has a rebuild kit for $729 and a TC for $1098.should I go this route or just buy all new transmission for $2416.97?

I also noticed infinitiparts.net only offers free shipping on over $80 order with a 20lbs limit. booo! don't blaim 'em though.

[DougQ45]

Also to note, does the J30 have a "heat exchanger" in the radiator??? If so, that may be clogged with the same junk that your transmission has spit into your pan and filter. A blockage will cause your transmission alot of problems. Had to blow mine out, with the special Nissan cleaner which unclogged a terrible clog in my 90 Q. You couldn't even blow air through it prior to the cleaning.

[juiceman]

J30 does have a heat exchanger

[Q45tech]

Every Automatic transmission since 1952 had [has] a heat exchanger in radiator to warm the fluild up or to try to keep it below 230F in Summer.............shame the design operating temperature is 176F.

[Mayhem_J30]

Level 10 is looking better.For only $100 more then a factory transmission I get the rebuild kit, TC and valve body upgrade.