Transmission problems...I think??

[xtremeskier97]

Ive been searching a lot on the forums and reading as much as i can about transmissions (ive never had any problems with them before). I havent found anything with my specific symptoms...so I decided to post a thread.

My car has 321,000 or so miles on it. The transmission is not original. I got the car from my dad about a month or so ago. While my dad and stepmother owned it..they had the transmission replaced...but had problems shortly after with it. So they took it back to the shop and told them to rebuild the original transmission. That went well..but when my step-brother got the car from them...he had some issues with the transmission and had some service done to it..but I dont know what work was done ( I dont have communication with him..but im told his ex-girlfriend really worked the car over in a bad way).

Now I have it...and the only problems I seem to have with it are the gas mileage (slowly working on this), shocks need replacing, and of course the transmission issue.

The problem with the transmission is this....when the car is cold and started...the car runs great...it accelerates through the gears, though it shifts harder than it should. The other problem I have with the transmission is that it seems to 'slip'. It has done it on occasion in stop and go traffic...though this is not the time that it happens ALL the time. When it happens ALL the time is after driving on the interstate for a while at cruising speed...and then exiting. Once I exit and come to the stop and then try to step on the gas.....it lurches and 'slips' A LOT. It will do this for a few seconds and then finally go. It happens EVERYTIME we get off the interstate.

Does anyone know could be causing this?! Im REALLY wanting to get this fixed.

Thanks guys/gals!

[Creeps228]

Well its not teh clutches that are bad since you do say it runs great on a cold start, then after its warmed up its seems to slip which mean the gears are aligning when they should or the transmission fluid isn't letting the gears stay together. Has the oil been changed?

[xtremeskier97]

Ive had the car for a month or so....and I havent changed it. I dont know when the last time it was changed.

[-=]KaiN[=-]

If I was working on it I would flush the tranny, and if that didn't fix it I would order a toyota reman transmission. Get a great oem warranty with it and drive it another 300k miles.....

[xtremeskier97]

How much would a toyota reman transmission cost?

And since you're a tech there...why not see what type of deal I could get

[blackhawk]

oem parts from toyota arm and a leg , might be two arm and a leg not shore tho

[xtremeskier97]

Does anyone else know what might be causing this?

[-=]KaiN[=-]

true oem parts will cost a bit more, but you get realiability, and warranty that will keep you from haveing to worry about it for many years to come. As far as whats actually wrong with your existing tranny could be a number of things, but buying all the hard parts and holding devices to rebuild your transmission could prove more costly than to just buy a toyota reman. From experience I know it sux to pull the tranny replace a couple parts get good results and then turn around and have to tear it back down in a couple of months for the same or different problem.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by -=]KaiN[=-

true oem parts will cost a bit more, but you get realiability, and warranty that will keep you from haveing to worry about it for many years to come. As far as whats actually wrong with your existing tranny could be a number of things, but buying all the hard parts and holding devices to rebuild your transmission could prove more costly than to just buy a toyota reman. From experience I know it sux to pull the tranny replace a couple parts get good results and then turn around and have to tear it back down in a couple of months for the same or different problem.

You didnt answer my last question to you!

How much could a tech get the tranny for?

[-=]KaiN[=-]

sorry...lol I'm thinking somewhere around $1500 i'll check tomorrow for an accurate quote, but if your planning on keeping the car for a long time its worth it. If you just plan on selling it next month don't invest the money.

[xtremeskier97]

I just got the car..not planning on selling.

Im gonna try flushing, change filter, and gasket. If that doesnt work..im gonna try additives. If that doesnt work...ill drive it till it dies.

Im not going to spend 1500 bucks on a transmission if additives work.

Could there be ANYTHING else causing this other than transmission...like plugs, cables, vacuum leaks, ect?

Thanks guys.

[ShawnM]

Just a suggestion, but you might want to make sure the trans. cooler in the radiator isnt plugged up. It sounds to me like the fluid is overheating and causing a slipping condition after driving for a while. Generally when a trans is rebuilt the trans cooler should always be flushed out to remove any of the old clutch material that may be restricting it. If that isnt done it will be a matter of time till the new trans cooks itself.

[dc_98_cam]

Remove the transmission pan and examine for metal powder/dust or other debris. If you find anything resembling clutch friction material, you might want to consider ShawnM's advice and have the transmission fluid cooler, adjacent to the radiator, cleaned professionally.
.... Probably also remove and examine the strainer when you remove the pan .... not difficult.

[xtremeskier97]

Ok...thanks for the suggestions fellas!!

Soo...it seems like people are pretty sure this is a transmission issue?

Just want to get all ideas upfront and move from cheapest to most expensive..if you know what i mean.

Thanks again guys.

PS...how do i find out what model this tranny is?

[tarbasd]

$1500 will hardly pay the tranny. And you will pay another $1000 for someone to put it in.

I think it is not worth it for car of this mileage. The engine might give in any time now, unless you *know* it was cared for *really* well.