I have a 2000 cavalier w/ 2200 and 3t40 auto trans. I noticed the other day that the trans pan is leaking and needs a new gasket. I would like to get a new gasket, filter, fluid, and install a shift kit I have laying around as well as install a heat gauge with a custom in-line (brass fitting) adapter I made.
Now here is the catch. I got the car used and after driving it for 4 years after that, it has around 110,000 miles on it... is it safe to change the trans fluid without destroying the clutch packs any more than they already have? I was told that the friction material breaks down into the fluid and sometimes the fluid is the only thing keeping the trans functional at times. I want to do the maintenance but is it worth it at this point? Or should I just put the old fluid back in with a new gasket and filter?
http://www.cardomain.com/id/Gerkn
How is it shifting now? Any slippage or slow shifts? How about when it gets cold out? Does the old fluid look/smell burnt? If so the trans is probably already on its way out.
If you are just replacing the fluid that comes out when you drop the transmission pan you should be fine. The trouble usually starts when you get it flushed and all the old fluid is replaced with new. Plus, I would think the shift kit would compensate for any bit of slippage the new fluid might cause. Make sure to clean the clutch dust off the inside of the pan(gray sludge), and keep an eye out for chunks of material in the pan or anything else suspicious.
2002 Pontiac Sunfire (LN2)
Adding a trans fluid cooler may be a good idea...
Yea, I was looking at a B&M trans cooler, but I want to do a full performance rebuild and 2800rpm stall T/C and try and change the final drive eventually. That's a ways off though, just want it run for now. It shifts great while driving but it seems rough going from neutral to drive or reverse, you feel a big bump or surge and it's worse in the cold... Not sure if that's normal or not... Shifts great under normal and hard acceleration.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/Gerkn
Honestly, If the car is over 100k miles, such as yours, i would leave it alone. I have seen many cars come in, get a spill and fill (what ur gonna do) and have nothing but problems. They drive in, and end up being pushed out. Its ur can man, but I would honestly leave it be. The trans is now accustomed to that fluid, and the grime and clutch material in it. And if you remove that, and put in new fluid, you could have nothing but issues. Usually they end up slipping, and even worse. Ill give you a personal example. I had a 83 delta 88. 3 speed trans. Was not doing anything bad. At 97k miles, while I was in school, I decided to change the trans fluid (against the advise of my instructor) and filter. Well, everything was fine, for about two weeks, then I started loosing downshifting. Meaning, I would come to a stop at the light, and when i try and take off, it would take off in 3rd gear, then slam back to 1st. That happened for about 2 days, then I lost all of 1st gear right after that. Now mind you, I have had no problems with the car for (at that time) 20+ years. Now, it may not happen with your car, but it gives a very good chance of failing. But its your call man. Goodluck either way. I would get a junkyard trans if your gonna change things out, and get a 4speed auto, and do what you want to that, and then just swap it in. This way you can have a fresh trans and call it a day. Goodluck man!
