Transmission or Converter Issues? Help!

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Tue Jul 07, 09 5:56 pm

I have a very recent issue with either the trans or the converter and want to sound it out on here (especially after reading some of the recent issues others are/were having with transmissions & TC's).

Until very recently the car was fine, snapped into gear lovely on the move under a firm throttle and had a consistant 2000rpm stall (standard 'verter).

Symptoms
Took the car out on saturday for a run, about 40 miles. The engine sounded strong but the car felt sluggish as if all the brakes were slightly on (they're fine, by the way).

Vibration through the car on the roads started to appear where there was only smoothness before.

Stall started to reduce, i.e. well below 1500rpm (almost instant lock-up?), and at idle/stationary the trans really chonked hard into each gear (especially reverse) with accompanying heavy metallic clunks, plus there is an ominous metallic rumbling from the TC area in 'Park'.

The flex plate bolts are all loctited in and tight, and the fluid is still cherry and smells, er, fresh.

Oh, and the trans cooler and lines were the hottest I've ever felt them.

Two weeks before the Nats. Just bloody typical.

Any help and advice will be mucho appreciated.

Thanks.

I also want to get a new flexplate & TC anyway - any suggestions for an externally balanced engine? B&M seems to be mentioned quite a lot.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 07, 09 6:26 pm

Just the sort of luck you don't need Philth

TC don't often fail, so I'm told, but mine did once - so it can happen. Hope you get sorted for the Nats

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 07, 09 7:44 pm

This one ran 12.25 at the Nats last year, then back to Mansfield, plus a little local driving 'making a noise'.

The lockup clutch still worked though.

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Tue Jul 07, 09 7:57 pm

Holy crap!

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Tue Jul 07, 09 8:06 pm

and the oil is still clean philth

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jul 07, 09 8:37 pm

I thought that, Duncan.

It was taken out of the car because it was thought to be slipping a bit and making an odd noise.

Stock 2400rpm lockup convertor out of a 200-4R.

Philth · Post by **Philth** » Wed Jul 08, 09 5:49 pm

So that's what mine could look like...

I'm guessing the oil looks clean in your pictures, Sandy, because most of the parts have broken up into large chunks?

I think trans pan off and a filter inspection/replacement is well in order.

Would a wrecked TC destroy a trans, baring in mind the short distances involved when the main 'symptoms' set in?

Beginning to wish I kept me four speed in - I can quite easily diagnose a failing clutch!!!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Jul 08, 09 10:29 pm

A bad TC can damage the rest of the trans and even the crank if you don't act. If it has gone bad you usually get metal in the pan. Sometimes in the form of "glitter" or something that almost looks like mercury.