1996 Century: Waiting on the tranny
techchick
10-26-2006, 11:36 AM
Recently I had some all around maintenance done to my car, including having the transmission flushed. Now all of a sudden I'm told I have a leak. The major problem I'm having is.....when i first crank up the car, I have to sit for 10~20 minutes before I can put the car in gear. Before this period of time, if I try to put it in gear, I can softly feel like something is sort of shifting, but it doesnt actually engage. After the time period, I'm able to shift, and all is well until the car sits for about an hour, and I do it all over again.
Will a leak cause this? I did not have this problem before getting it flushed. When they flushed it, they didnt change the pan or filter because they are an Xpress place and say they dont do anything but change the fluid. It's really frustrating having to wait 15 minutes average just to go anywhere. What could be the cause? What is the fix (if any)? Does a gasket or something need to be replaced?
Thank you for any help.
Oh, and just in case, I have about 198k miles. My engine is a V6.
Will a leak cause this? I did not have this problem before getting it flushed. When they flushed it, they didnt change the pan or filter because they are an Xpress place and say they dont do anything but change the fluid. It's really frustrating having to wait 15 minutes average just to go anywhere. What could be the cause? What is the fix (if any)? Does a gasket or something need to be replaced?
Thank you for any help.
Oh, and just in case, I have about 198k miles. My engine is a V6.
GTP Dad
10-26-2006, 11:50 AM
Welcome to AF!!
Unfortunately you may have two problems here. First, check the fluid, if you have a leak you may not have enough fluid to allow the transmission to work properly. Also, before doing anything pull the pan and replace the filter and refill the transmission. The filter replacement is critical here as it may be clogged with gunk from the old fluid or the flush.
The second issue is that you may be suffering from complete transmission failure. Flushing a high mileage transmission often leads to the transmission failing shortly thereafter. The flush ruins the clutch faces and will cause the transmission to fail.
Change the fluid and filter and make sure the level is correct. Once this is done hopefully the transmission will work properly. If not then you will need to get it diagnosed at a transmission shop to see what is actually wrong.
Unfortunately you may have two problems here. First, check the fluid, if you have a leak you may not have enough fluid to allow the transmission to work properly. Also, before doing anything pull the pan and replace the filter and refill the transmission. The filter replacement is critical here as it may be clogged with gunk from the old fluid or the flush.
The second issue is that you may be suffering from complete transmission failure. Flushing a high mileage transmission often leads to the transmission failing shortly thereafter. The flush ruins the clutch faces and will cause the transmission to fail.
Change the fluid and filter and make sure the level is correct. Once this is done hopefully the transmission will work properly. If not then you will need to get it diagnosed at a transmission shop to see what is actually wrong.
troy1
10-26-2006, 01:27 PM
A common problem is the inner seal and or input piston wearing. This will cause a no move untill the trans warms up.
techchick
10-26-2006, 01:31 PM
Welcome to AF!!
Unfortunately you may have two problems here. First, check the fluid, if you have a leak you may not have enough fluid to allow the transmission to work properly. Also, before doing anything pull the pan and replace the filter and refill the transmission. The filter replacement is critical here as it may be clogged with gunk from the old fluid or the flush.
The second issue is that you may be suffering from complete transmission failure. Flushing a high mileage transmission often leads to the transmission failing shortly thereafter. The flush ruins the clutch faces and will cause the transmission to fail.
Change the fluid and filter and make sure the level is correct. Once this is done hopefully the transmission will work properly. If not then you will need to get it diagnosed at a transmission shop to see what is actually wrong.OH that just burns me up!! This guy insisted I flush the tranny BECAUSE of the high mileage. Yea, the fluid was old and discolored, but I had no problems with it at all before he decided to talk me into a flush (and it wasnt that cheap either). How much is the normal charge/labor to have the pan pulled and filter changed? The place I got it flushed at stated they dont change the pans or filters.....actually I was advised AGAINST changing the filter!! I'm telling you, I feel like just gunning the engine and drive it straight thru the place. :angryfire
I did go back after a few days and they say the fluid was low, so they refilled it. When I check it I might be reading the stick wrong. The car is running idle when I check it.
So if the fluid is low, then I guess I'm waiting for the fluid to "circulate itself" thru the tranny to put it in gear?
Unfortunately you may have two problems here. First, check the fluid, if you have a leak you may not have enough fluid to allow the transmission to work properly. Also, before doing anything pull the pan and replace the filter and refill the transmission. The filter replacement is critical here as it may be clogged with gunk from the old fluid or the flush.
The second issue is that you may be suffering from complete transmission failure. Flushing a high mileage transmission often leads to the transmission failing shortly thereafter. The flush ruins the clutch faces and will cause the transmission to fail.
Change the fluid and filter and make sure the level is correct. Once this is done hopefully the transmission will work properly. If not then you will need to get it diagnosed at a transmission shop to see what is actually wrong.OH that just burns me up!! This guy insisted I flush the tranny BECAUSE of the high mileage. Yea, the fluid was old and discolored, but I had no problems with it at all before he decided to talk me into a flush (and it wasnt that cheap either). How much is the normal charge/labor to have the pan pulled and filter changed? The place I got it flushed at stated they dont change the pans or filters.....actually I was advised AGAINST changing the filter!! I'm telling you, I feel like just gunning the engine and drive it straight thru the place. :angryfire
I did go back after a few days and they say the fluid was low, so they refilled it. When I check it I might be reading the stick wrong. The car is running idle when I check it.
So if the fluid is low, then I guess I'm waiting for the fluid to "circulate itself" thru the tranny to put it in gear?
techchick
10-26-2006, 01:32 PM
A common problem is the inner seal and or input piston wearing. This will cause a no move untill the trans warms up.is this expensive to get fixed?
GTP Dad
10-28-2006, 03:44 PM
With the mileage you have on the tranny you would be ahead to find a used transmission and replace the entire thing. Any shop you take it to would want to do a full rebuild since the internal components are fairly well worn. If you can find someone to install a tranny for you search car-part.com for wrecking yards in your area. You can also search cherry-auto.com for a transmission that would come with a warranty. You are probably looking at a bill of around $1000 for a used one installed and $2000 for a rebuild. Sorry for the bad news.
techchick
10-28-2006, 04:06 PM
yea, i've already contacted a few transmission shops and they basically say the same thing. With that kind of money, it's time to start car shopping. LIke I said, it's fine once I get warmed up. AFter sitting for maybe a couple of hours I have to "warm up" again. I'm still not seeing any drippings on the driveway so the leak must be pretty slow. In any case, that's the least of my worries. all but one of the guys said it's not hurting anyting the way it is now, however I already know it's time to send this bad boy to heaven.
GTP Dad
10-28-2006, 08:30 PM
Before you do anything drastic purchase a can of Sea Foam transmission additive and add it to the transmission fluid. It may not solve the problem but it can't hurt either.
troy1
10-28-2006, 10:35 PM
yes it is expensive. Try some seafoam cuz you never know... The car might have a lot of miles but does it
still run good or have any other issues? can you get a better car for $2,000? I have seen alot of people make a bad choice thinking they are getting a better car when they come back in a 2-3weeks later with problems
still run good or have any other issues? can you get a better car for $2,000? I have seen alot of people make a bad choice thinking they are getting a better car when they come back in a 2-3weeks later with problems
techchick
10-29-2006, 11:01 AM
never heard of sea foam, but I've heard of Lucas and that's what the two tranny guys told me to put in there.
GTP Dad
10-29-2006, 03:25 PM
Sea foam is available at Autozone and is a good product. I suggest it over the lucas if you haven't put the Lucas in the transmission already. Don't add both.
Blue Bowtie
10-29-2006, 07:31 PM
SeaFoam is basically refinery "waste". About 50% light hydrocarbon oil (pale oil), 30% petroleum naphtha, (charcoal starter fluid/mineral spirits, whatever you want to call it), 10% isopropyl alcohol, and 10% water. With the exception of the alcohol (added to keep the water in an emulsified suspension), the components are the mid- to upper-tier byproducts of hydro cracking useful petroleum products from crude oil. Those that are usually hardest to separate (normally done through a centrifuge) are simply sold as a mixture with some alcohol added to keep it volatile and emulsified.
The alcohol mixes with the water(as does the naphtha to some extent) and the "murky" appearance of the liquid is due to the emulsion created by the water/oil mixture forced into suspension by those solvents.
It ain't rocket science - It's barely science at all. But it was a fair bit of marketing back in the '30s when it was first sold. And it's surely no secret.
The sellers and marketers have lots of suggestions for its use, but because of the formulation, I'd never even think of putting it in my engine oil, even though the synthetic I use would tolerate it a bit more than mineral oils. And I certainly wouldn’t want it in a hydraulic assembly, such as a valve body. The lack of lubricity may assist clutch plate or band friction, but isn’t going to help any servos, accumulators, or spool valves.
I'd almost guaranty that the majority of the cleaning which might be done is due to the solvents and water. You can buy SeaFoam if you'd like, or you can use the hydrocarbon solvents already available in clean transmission fluid to accomplish the same thing.
Personally, I don't buy water and alcohol in $6 steel cans.
Changing the transmission filter is a good idea. With a clean filter, cleaned out pan, and clean oil, an astute transmission tech should be able to take a quick line pressure test and possibly identify problems. BTW - You aren’t going to find that kind of tech at a "quickie" oil change place. Many of those places have trouble installing a proper oil filter, let alone diagnosing auto trans problems. They sold you on the flush because that's what they do, not because it's best for the transmission.
The alcohol mixes with the water(as does the naphtha to some extent) and the "murky" appearance of the liquid is due to the emulsion created by the water/oil mixture forced into suspension by those solvents.
It ain't rocket science - It's barely science at all. But it was a fair bit of marketing back in the '30s when it was first sold. And it's surely no secret.
The sellers and marketers have lots of suggestions for its use, but because of the formulation, I'd never even think of putting it in my engine oil, even though the synthetic I use would tolerate it a bit more than mineral oils. And I certainly wouldn’t want it in a hydraulic assembly, such as a valve body. The lack of lubricity may assist clutch plate or band friction, but isn’t going to help any servos, accumulators, or spool valves.
I'd almost guaranty that the majority of the cleaning which might be done is due to the solvents and water. You can buy SeaFoam if you'd like, or you can use the hydrocarbon solvents already available in clean transmission fluid to accomplish the same thing.
Personally, I don't buy water and alcohol in $6 steel cans.
Changing the transmission filter is a good idea. With a clean filter, cleaned out pan, and clean oil, an astute transmission tech should be able to take a quick line pressure test and possibly identify problems. BTW - You aren’t going to find that kind of tech at a "quickie" oil change place. Many of those places have trouble installing a proper oil filter, let alone diagnosing auto trans problems. They sold you on the flush because that's what they do, not because it's best for the transmission.
BNaylor
10-29-2006, 11:24 PM
Personally, I don't buy water and alcohol in $6 steel cans.
I did and it was the best $6.00 I ever spent on a waste product. :grinyes:
I have a '99 Regal LS as living proof the stuff works at least in my situation. I had a PCS solenoid problem with a P1811 DTC at around 70K miles. Did a pan drop with screen filter but the problem was persistent. Dumped the full 16 ounces of Seafoam Additive into the tranny for approximately 400 miles. Then did another pan drop service and the harsh shifting and P1811 DTC was history. To date 117K miles and still hanging in there.
Like mentioned what does he have to lose? Just my two cents worth. :2cents:
I did and it was the best $6.00 I ever spent on a waste product. :grinyes:
I have a '99 Regal LS as living proof the stuff works at least in my situation. I had a PCS solenoid problem with a P1811 DTC at around 70K miles. Did a pan drop with screen filter but the problem was persistent. Dumped the full 16 ounces of Seafoam Additive into the tranny for approximately 400 miles. Then did another pan drop service and the harsh shifting and P1811 DTC was history. To date 117K miles and still hanging in there.
Like mentioned what does he have to lose? Just my two cents worth. :2cents:
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