tranny dying?

[hydroman]

Hello. I have a 93 Camry V6, 110K miles, always well maintained. Ran well until about 3 months ago, started experiencing intermittent "gutless" problems. Last night, it started bucking and surging at about 1900 to 2200 RPM. I dont see any obvious vacuum leaks. Also, it will barely move in reverse. Trans fluid level is fine. One odd thing though - I took the filler hole nut off the differential to check the level and quite a bit of fluid flowed out. When I changed the trans and diff oil last spring, I filled the differential only up to the level of the hole. So where did the extra come from? Is there a seal between the trans and differential that may have blown?
Within the last 1.5 years I have replaced plugs, wires, distributor cap, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator. EGR checks OK and looks clean. Throttle position senser is very hard to check, but no matter what I adjust it to I still seem to be having problems. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[hydroman]

I forgot to mention that the bucking surging seems to happen in 2nd gear: when I lock it into "L" it wont surge. However, now I think I am hearing some engine surging even at idle.

[jscollins]

i am kinda having the same problem with my 1995 camry. mine just over revs second gear. i am telling u this now if that's kinda whats happening to u right now u need to go to a tranny shop and let them drive it. i waited to long to do it and now i do not have a second gear. and its very dangerous.

[camry6]

There is a seal between the trans and differential- it sounds like you do have an internal leak. drain down the diff. and see how long it takes to fill completely again, if it takes a whole year, no biggy. as for barely moving in reverse, it is probably by-passing fluid internally around the clutch pack piston. I bet it runs in drive just fine. (it takes roughly twice the pressure to clamp the clutches in reverse than forward gears). While driving with the trans in overdrive at cruising speed 50mph or so, is there a delay in down shifting when you push the overdrive button to OFF?. if so, this is a good sign that it is by-passing fluid internally. I had the same problem with my camry, '93 v-6 (I have since replaced the trans with a good used one) Try draining the fluid out of the trans and pouring in 2 bottles of LUCAS Transmission fix. There are additives in it that will soften the rubber seals inside the trans and may restore its performance to some amount. It worked VERY well for mine. I had lost reverse COMPLETELY, and after a few thousand miles of driving, reverse was almost restored completely! (just a little shudder upon engagement). I drove it like this for over 20,000 miles until I found a parts car with a good tranny.