Tranny Clunk After Fluid Change

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

I have 93 Camry 3.0L, 200k miles, 20k miles on tranny rebuild. Live in hot Florida which is rough on tranny and engine oil (so I change them more often due to hot climate).

I just changed my tranny fluid and filter, cleaned the pan very good and removed and added 3.5 quarts of the Advanced Auto Parts brand Dex III fluid.

Now when I drive about 40-50 mph the tranny seems to be clunky ( sort of play) when I accelerate or decelerate. Shifting seems to be okay. I only own the car for 2 weeks and did not notice this prior to changing the fluid.

Question: Do Camrys like or dislike certain types of fluids? Did the new fluid irritate something in the tranny? It's hard to read the dipstick too, it appears to be way above (1 inch) the hot mark (when engine is hot). For some reason I can't seem to get an accurate reading. I read many tranny posts and am somewhat overwhelmed on what may be causing this clunk or sort of play in the tranny. Some posts mention bad mounts others say overfill or under-fill of fluid will cause this.

Can someone please clarify for me on what may be causing this?
What type/brand of fluid should I use?
Will adding lukas help this clunking/play in tranny?

thx..

[new echo owner]

Adjusting the fluid to properly level would be the first thing to do; fluid level too high would cause aeration, which isn't exactly good for the automatics.

Does it only clunks at that speed or can you feel it at any other speed? Try power braking in Drive and Reverse, with the hood open, check to see if the engine lift up. If it lifts up in drive, you have a front engine mount that is out; In reverse, the rear mount.

Axles could also be a cause, take a close look at both side.

N.E.O.

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

The play or slop in tranny only does it between 40-50 (i guess between 3-4 gears). It's not really a clunking, it's more like tranny engagement between those speeds. It's like the tranny disengages when you let your foot off the gas pedal, when you apply the gas pedal it again it takes 1-2 sec and you feel slack, then the tranny re-engages. I do not see any aeration on the dipstick but will try to get fluid level correct. Again level is hard to read on these car's dipsticks. I always seem to get a high level (1 inch above hot marks). I will check the front and rear mounts as you say. Axles look and feel fine (no torn boots, no clicking or other noises from axles). How do you check the axles when parked? One more thing, there was a wire hanging under the trans filter when I changed the fluid and filter. Is the wire supposed to just hang there? Thx NEO.

[new echo owner]

A wire? There shouldn't be any loose wire inside the transmission; they all go to either solenoids or shift valves.

Trans fluid level does take a little patience to check especially right after you had just added some, check both side of the dipstick, one side may drag in side the dipstick tube and cause a mis-read of the level.

The only thing you can check on the axle when park is for signs of torn boots and excessive play.

You descirptin seem to indicate low fluid level.

N.E.O.

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

NEO, the wire in tranny kind of hangs across the filter. It is connected at both ends (where ever they go). I will recheck the level again & again until I get a valid reading. Any advise on what brand of fluid these trannys like? The manual says to use Dex II (I used Dex III). Should I add Lukas? I have used it before in other cars and it works great.

[new echo owner]

Dex III or VI is competable with all earlier Dex fluid. I don't actually have a preference on brand, but most often use Pennzoil for trans. I am not familiar with Lukas, if the fluid is changed regularly, additive is not really necessary; however, having said that, if you have had good luck with it previously, it probably won't do any harm.

Oh, I thought the wire was just hanging there and not connected.

N.E.O.

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

NEO,


I check the mounts as you said, they are fine (very little engine movement in reverse and drive). No torn axle boots or noticeable play at lower speeds. I found that the trans fluid level was high so I drained about 2.5 quarts and then added 1 quart of Lukas and now it's at the hot marks on the dipstick. There is a marked improvement in the play/slop (40-50mph) when you let your foot off the gas pedal and then accelerate. Perhaps a small amount of play is normal for these transmissions at this particular speed. Does you Camry behave this this. Please give it a try and let me know. Thx.....

[llcoolpass]

yes its normal, once the torque converter is in lock-up mode.
you're feeling stuff we stick-shifters feel nearly all the time. you just have to be smooth.
actually, the engine is probably more at fault and that includes motor mounts, and maybe suspension/control arm. no big deal . you learn to deal with it,

and sicne you only deal with lock up at 40 or so,and since we manual shift feel it a lot in 4th and fifth starting at speeds like 25 and up to around 45 you're lucky your not locked up at those speeds too like we are, and since on manual and auto its less noticeable at speeds higher than 45 or so, you should be greatful!

that said, never over fill an auto trans. very very bad for it.

[new echo owner]

Currently I don't own a Camry, but IIcoolpass is indeed correct, you may be feeling the torque converter clutch in action. If you have a tach in your car, you would have notice a change of 100 rpm or so when the converter clutch operates. It is designed to minimize slippage between the engine and transmission, so the fuel economy will improve. Depending on throttle input, the converter clutch may or may not disengage at that speed, so you may feel whatever the engine is doing at that time.

N.E.O.

[llcoolpass]

my name is not II or iicoolpass it's llcoolpass or LLCoolPass

secondly, I wasn't refering to torque converter lock up shudder, because this person seems to just notice when he / she pressed the gas more there was a kind of clunking of the engine so i assume the TQ is already locked up.

but yeah, good point to raise for people that torque converterlockup can potentially be harsh. though it's usually 300 RPM difference

[new echo owner]

Sorry about the mixed up on your name, II and ll is a little difficult for me to tell when I am in a hurry.

I am not sure how far he/she is pushing on the accelerator, so I can not say whether the TQC is engaging or disengaging. I wsa simply pointing out that is something that maybe he can look into.

N.E.O.