1990 Reatta with high mileage tranny oil and filter change reccomended??

[Guest breather]

I have a 1990 Reatta coupe with 260,000 miles.At first drive, the transmission slips in first gear and catches after revving for a bit. This only happens in the morning when first driven. After the tranny "catches", it shifts fine for the rest of the day. Would it be recommended to change the trans fluid and filter on this high mileage Reatta? The tranny fluid id brown in color, but does NOT have a burnt smell.

I've had some people tell me to NOT change fluid and filter because it will make the shifting worse.

Thought I'd ask some EXPERTS, what do you think??

[Guest BJM]

Breather

Remember these are just recommendations. 1st, might need an adjustment so I would ask around and see about taking it to a local transmission shop-not a national chain, but a true local transmission shop. Ask what they think. 2. It seldom is a bad idea to flush and fill with new transmission fluid. Yes, the detergent they use in the "flush" component may clean too much and make the matter worse. I doubt it will fix the issue, just flushing and filling. That's why I recommend taking it to the transmission shop.

A quality flush and fill these days is $100-$125. It's more of a maintenance concept then a fix. So, no I would not recommend a flush and fill as a possible fix.

Also, at $120 or so, that represents maybe 10-15% of the cost of an R & R (remove and rebuild or remove and replace) so why throw good money after bad. Be a little concerned if they pull the Reatta in, and 5 seconds later say "it needs a rebuild, sign here". That tells me they are just a high volume R & R shop.

I could say more, but let's see what others think. I started my career at a transmission shop and worked 7 years at a delaership. I know a flush and fill won't fix it.

[Ronnie]

I would try a can of Seafoam TransTune in it. A lot of members here have reported good results using it.

One member reported that it will not work if you live in California. I think he recommended taking a grain of salt instead.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Ronnie (see edit history)

[wws944]

I would have a 'pan drop' fluid and filter change done. This will only replace some of the old brown fluid, but at least you'll get an additive refresh. Don't do a complete flush. This is supposed to be done every 30k miles or so.

Note: I live in California too. The only thing that goes in my GM transmissions is DEXRON. (DEXRON VI is the current spec.)

[Guest Richard D]

I would go with WSS944, the fluid should be red, not brown. You have caught it before it got to the burned stage. Is this the original transmission?

[Guest breather]

Yes this is the original transmission. What is WSS944?? I tried Googling and directed me too Ancestral Sites.

[wws944]

Yes this is the original transmission. What is WSS944?? I tried Googling and directed me too Ancestral Sites.

He was referring to my post above (#4), but made a typo. And can I assure you I am a 'who' and not a 'what'.