I fixed my sticky/ slipping transmission. It was easy.

[Keepin'her_going]

Long time no post from me, but I've been driving the 91 LE daily, and never paid attention to the transmission, other than checking the level. I knew the fluid appeared to be a bit discolored, but I was scared to change it, as it was likely the original Clinton-era fluid, and had 100k on it. And, I've heard bad stories about people changing their old fluid and ruining the transmission.

Then came signs of trouble. When driving the car cold, there were several incidents where the car would seem to pop out of gear when taking off slowly from a stop sign. I'd just pull over, wait a bit, and all would be well.

Then when stopping, I could tell the car wanted to stay in gear. Due to the Torque convertor solenoid gumming, I imagine.

So, I knew I had to make a move, and that leaving that Clinton juice in would only lead to big trouble. Big trouble, monica lewinsky trouble! I didn't want that!

So I devised a plan, based on my limited understanding of transmissions. I assumed that there was fluid pressure, and no clogged filter due to prompt gear engagement when shifting into gear when cold, I also had a hunch the internal seals were fine. I thought the valve body, and solenoids were gumming due to varnish created by the funky clinton fluid. Although my big fear was that perhaps the clutch friction material may have been worn, and that the material was suspended in the clinton fluid, and keeping it going! But, The Clinton fluid that may be keeping the transmission alive, is the same fluid that was destined to cause its death! Therefore, I made a move.

I started with a trip to the local O'reillys, I browsed the transmission additives. Oh man, what a desperate aisle! You just hope that you're not dealing with snake oil. Anyhow, the top two contenders were Trans-X, and Seafoam Trans Tune. I was leaning towards the Trans-X due to reading reports of success by people, but upon reading the bottles, the Trans-X seems to attempt to solve leaking seal issues, by swelling them. I was sure I didn't have seal issues, and didn't want to gamble with turning mine to mush. The Seafoam made specific mention of not swelling seals, and just being used to clean gunk. Ah Perfect, so I grabbed it.

Now, for some reason I bought everything at once. Looking back, it would be smart to just get the trans tune, see if it works, then get the rest. Anyhow I bought 3 gallons of Automatic transmission fluid, a funnel, 10ft of 3/8th diameter transmission hose, and this little adapter. Dorman - Transmission Cooler Fitting
Part # 563953BP.

In the parking lot I poured the bottle of Trans Tune in. The directions say add half, or something like that. I'm a bad ass or an idiot, and just dumped the whole thing in. Now time for a test drive. Wow! It actually worked, pretty much instantly too! I never knew the automatic was meant to shift so fast, and so crisp! I love it! So the directions said to drive it X number of miles, but we're dealing with Clinton Juice! I wanted to clean the hell out of it. I drove about 60 miles, and some of it involved moderately spirited acceleration. I don't hot rod my cars, and I went to 4k once or twice and called it good. I figured the trans tune had lots of time and pressure to do its thing. I also made sure when I got home, to hold the brake and shift it through the gears just to get the cleaner circulated through the entire transmission.

Then I grabbed my wd40, oiled up the return line on top of the radiator. Grabbed a wrench, and loosed the line. I installed the little adapter there in the radiator, and connected my hose to the barb on the adapter. Then I grabbed a milk jug, and put the other end of the hose in. It takes a little finesse to get the jug to stand with the hose in it, but I got it.

Then I started the engine and the Clinton juice came gushing out! Although people say to have an assistant and a 5 gallon bucket, I used one gallon jugs and did it myself. The fluid flows at a predictable rate, and not insanely fast. I was able to shut it off before over flowing.

Man that stuff was foul! On the dipstick it appear light brown, but in the jug it was Black!!! So I dumped in a gallon of fresh fluid, and repeated. I did this twice. Ideally I would have dropped the pan, and did a filter swap first, but I'm lazy, and due to no pump whine and quick shift into gear, and watching that jug fill up quick, I knew I had plenty of pressure. So I just got the fluid to the proper level, and reconnected the line, and called it a day.

Then I drove the car 60 more miles. Excellent! I really am thoroughly impressed!! Next time I change the oil, I'll install a filter kit, and be sure to change tranny fluid regularly. It's awesome knowing that I saved the car from the junkyard!!

[KM AXer]

Nice. If it works long-term, that makes for an incredible bonus.

[CMNTMXR57]

Amazing what new fluid with proper viscosity and lubricity will do.

Be mindful though, you still had Clinton era fluid in the converter. The only way to get it all out is to do so with a machine. This is now mixing with the fresh stuff.

[xcbullet]

I've had that trans tune in my car for couple years. That was after a flush & another flush last year( with transgo kit & B&M cooler) added it again, next flush I will go with out. Ya u should of pulled the pan & did the filter then do the pumping into the jog, then u start with all fresh fluid & pump all the rest the crap out your cool fitting tll red. Usely three gallons & all is fresh doing it that way.

Doing it with a machine that forces it is what can sometimes cause problems. Pushes mud into vavles & the like.

[raymwr]

Ive got a 96 ram 1500 and it some times had a very hard 2nd to 3rd shift, AAMCO wanted 1700$ to rebuild it.
Id tried trans tune before and it shifted fine so ive used it 2 times since and its doing fine.
Im going to replace the fluid and filter, I think whoever had it before me didnt use ATF+4 fluid and that was causing it.
Which I beleive is what CMNTMXR57 was saying " proper viscosity and lubricity".

[xcbullet]

These cars call for dex 3. Dex four is better but not a most, I just change it often (20,000) with cheap dex 3 from Walmart. I did put amsoil in a supercharged regal at 50,000 miles & it has almost 200,000 with that still in it, ex still has it.