Scared my Auto Trans will blow up again

[ausdag]

Hello,
I'm new and from Australia. I have a 95 Camry 4cylinder auto trans. When I first acquired the car in 2001 the idle in gear was so smooth I sometimes had to check that the engine was actually still running. Then it gradually began to vibrate worse when idling and it got worse. After about a year and a half, with no warning the transmission gave up, meaning it would not immediately engage on acceleration and then would CLUNK! into gear on off I'd go.

I took it to a transmission specialist and he told me it had completely stuffed and it cost me A$2500 to recondition.

However, now I have a few mysterious symptoms which no one seems to be able to diagnose - the transmission guy referred me back to the mechanic, my mechanic thinks it may be a transmission problem (I have 40,000km/2 year warranty on the recon job).

Symptoms are -

1) Engine clunks when engaging reverse - there is an audible metalic clank sound as well sometimes when engaging R. This only happens after about 20-30 mins of driving. ie There seems to be excessive back lash of the entire engine when engaging R.

2) Engine clunks when driving (ie coasting)and I release the accelerater or press accelerator - there is no regular pattern to this.

2) Excessive vibration in gear when idling, even worse when Air Con is on - engaging Neutral relives vibration

3) There is an overall low level harshness, ie, doesn't feel smooth when driving coming from the enging/transmission.

Have recently had left and right CV joints replaced - no relief.

Recently had front engine mount replaced. Also did the old rev-the-engine-with-brake-on engine mount inspection to see if the other mounts were gone, but they all seemed fine.

I'm scared it is a transmission problem which the transmission guy doesn't wish to deal with until I've basically replaced every cv joint, engine mount, wheel bearing etc...etc and that the trans is going to blow up again.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

DavidG

[Daffunda]

you do have a trans problem. Clunking is the piston not moving smoothly when you move the lever to R or D or vice versa.

Cause can be a variety of things. Some little part broke off, getting caught in the piston, and hence, making the clunking sound when the hydraulic piston slams into an appropriate positon, etc.

[DarkMastyr]

I also have the vibration problem when stopped but in gear. Other people I know have it too when it comes to old cars, including my friend's '94 (I think) Eagle Talon. I just live with it, but if anyone else has a decent solution I'd certainly like to hear about it.

[ausdag]

Weell, I got a feeling too it's a trans problem, so I'm taking it back to the 'specialist' to get him to look at it again.

Thanks for your responses.

David

[Gen3cruiser]

It's gonna blow. Mine did the same thing 4 years ago. The reverse gear wasn't engaging properly, and had to be replaced. Best to call the junkyard.

[Phi]

Originally posted by ausdag
Recently had front engine mount replaced. Also did the old rev-the-engine-with-brake-on engine mount inspection to see if the other mounts were gone, but they all seemed fine.

I was gonna suggest engine mounts aswell.