handmedownreatta Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 in the morning whens its in the sixties it takes 2600 rpm to maintain 80 mph which is the average speed on the interstate here.in the afternoon it takes 2200 rpm to maintain 80.any ideas whats happening?torque converter not locking up?need to change fluid?i did add a 1992 riv trans cooler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 If you have a 1989 service manual, you can go into diagnostics and should be able to see if the converter is locking, it might even tell you what gear you are in. It is a little tricky driving and doing the diagnostics so I suggest you get someone else to drive and you play with the diagnostics. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waltmail Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 What is the engine temp? I believe the threshold temp for the lock up is 155 degrees or more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89RedDarkGrey Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 When was the last time this was changed? 1989? That's a long time for an O-ring to be crushed, under pressure of hot fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 55 minutes ago, waltmail said: What is the engine temp? I believe the threshold temp for the lock up is 155 degrees or more. might be the problem.it never gets above 137 in the morning.the tstat was changed a few years ago. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 17 minutes ago, 89RedDarkGrey said: When was the last time this was changed? 1989? That's a long time for an O-ring to be crushed, under pressure of hot fluid. afaik the fluid has never been changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89RedDarkGrey Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 The trans must be removed to replace that O-ring. While it's out- take the time to drain a refill the converter (1 Qt.) and flush the cooler lines. A simple pan drop and filter is only 1/2 a service. With trans out- tip it up, drain it completely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 this trans isn't coming out until its no longer drivable but i will change the fluid.i would love to swap in a five speed like daniel did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89RedDarkGrey Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 6 hours ago, handmedownreatta said: i would love to swap in a five speed like daniel did. What he did was way more than just a "swap". A simple R&R for the service would be way easier. It isn't such a big deal- unless you get into what I had to do; then it starts costing money and time. I've had a few morons criticize me, saying "I took too long to do a simple trans swap". Even with it documented on video- they can't wrap their heads around the scope of it all. It failed in early January, -10*F, 3.5 ft. snow on driveway. Had it towed 1/4 mi to house. It sat until April 2nd, before I could shovel it out- to even see what happened. It was completed on 07/24. 3 months, almost $1000 in parts. Car drives like new. Working outside, Upstate NY Spring weather, removing rusted parts, underbody fabrication & welding (my Friend who has a service), ordering parts, searching for a nice low mileage transmission, receiving the wrong one at first, fabricating an engine brace- then R & R- all by myself. Subframe cleaning, painting. Subframe bushings. Ball joints. Fabricating 3 Body nuts. New axle seals, TTC O-ring, filter & fluid, drain & refill TC, Knock sensor. Degreasing and painting engine, transmission, and underbody... In a garage, air tools, a Friend to help- just the transmission- sure, maybe 1 day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 mines not my primary transportation.if it dies i will have triple a tow it home where it can sit years if needed.i just found out today that my van may be MUCH cheeper to fix than i was hoping.i might go the route of building a bullet proof auto like the other guy did.id like to be able to tow a camper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handmedownreatta Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 i can't find dextron two in synstetic.what fluid should i use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89RedDarkGrey Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I just use plain WalMart ATF, have for many years. I'd stay clear of synthetics in a 29 year old OE automatic transmission, and those "high mileage" formulations tend to plug up passages. Do not drain "excess" fluid. Pour in a bottle of Trans Tune (Sea Foam), jack it up, run it reverse and drive at 1k RPM (use IAC OVERRIDE) about 30 minutes. Let sit overnight, drain, new gasket, seal & filter. Have on hand more fluid than needed. I use Trans King filter, nice rubber gasket. AC Delco is also decent. 3M spray adhesive on pan. Keep an eye on fluid level, it will burp out air. Plain ATF to run, no additives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89RedDarkGrey Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Some very interesting reading can be found HERE and HERE regarding "Automatic Transmission Fluid". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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