Re: 5K auto trans question

[orin@netcom.com (Orin Eman)]

> 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.

Problem is once the ATF gets into the diff, goodbye diff... you want to
be checking the diff fluid regularly... very regularly for level and color.

> 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.

Probably because they are too incompetant to do it right and had to redo
it too many times.

> Maybe once that synthetic hypoid oil gets on transmission surfaces it is all
> over, and that would support the dealer's observations.

More likely it rots seals... still the 3k ATF change would help.

> 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).

Start looking for a good used transmission/diff.  DO NOT go the the
dealer :-O... start looking for a good transmission shop.  R&R will
run about $250 plus maybe $600-800 for the transmission... or maybe
you can find a transmission shop that can fix the seal and rebuild
the transmission at the same time... get references and check them.

Yes, I once had an auto die on me... cost around 2k by the time we
had finished.  The shop had a known reliable supplier (expensive)
of used differentials and had found another cheaper supplier.  We
should have gone with the expensive one...the seal went very quickly
using the cheaper one.  The shop DID stand by their work though
and redid the seals and replaced a bent shaft under warrenty.
(Very important to get a warrenty on this work.)  This shop also
told me they didn't really like to do these because it was tricky
to get right...  their rebuild of the transmission was good, it's
that wretched transmission/differential interface that dies.

Orin.