5K auto trans question

[Ron Angert <rangert@vt.edu>]

I bought a '88 5K non Q non T sedan (95K miles) and I knew about the
autotrans problem.  In my next life i will find a 5 speed, I hope.

Anyway, it does swap fluids to some extent.  Actually, it looks like diff to
ATF and not the other way around.  The hypoid looks fine. My mechanic
suggests just changing the ATF fequestly, it is very cheap to do, but he
called the dealer to see what they say, and to get some idea of the cost of
replacing the seal, and they had a different view on this.

They said that they were no longer "allowed" to replace the seal as dealer
installed seals rarely solved the problem, and that they would not do it.
Then he added that the failure rate and miles to failure was not
significantly longer for the clients who changed ATF every oil change and
those who did not change it.  Now, I think that it is to the dealer's
advantage to encourage tranny failure so they can sell you a new one, but it
seems to me that changing the ATF every 3K miles would buy one some miles.
Maybe once that synthetic hypoid oil gets on transmission surfaces it is all
over, and that would support the dealer's observations.

Now I know that no-one on this list would own a car with an automatic, but
there is such a volume of technical and "I once heard" experience on this
list that I would value any opinions on what to do besides putting
$200/month in a savings account for the down payment on the new tranny (or
Audi).

Thanks,

Ron
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Ron Angert              N4AJT
1743 Fairview Church Rd   Riner VA 24149 
www.rdp.vt.edu/admin/rangert.htm 
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"He who rows the boat seldom has time to rock it..."