automatic transmission failure question

"Hachiroku ????" > wrote in message
news
> On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:34:37 -0700, L Alpert wrote:
>
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" > wrote in message
>> news
>>> On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:43:59 +0000, krp wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Hachiroku ????" > wrote in message
>>>> news >>>>> On Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:46:31 -0700,
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I have a 97 Honda Accord with 280K. Recently, I pulled over
>>>>>> from
>>>>>> driving to check a map and when I put my car back in D, the
>>>>>> engine
>>>>>> just raced like it was in neutral when I gave it gas. The
>>>>>> reverse
>>>>>> gear
>>>>>> worked for a bit in the parking lot, eventually no shifter
>>>>>> position
>>>>>> resulted in movement of the vehicle. In D & R and only on a
>>>>>> small
>>>>>> number of throttle applications, the car started moving forward
>>>>>> slightly, similar to that brief moment before the clutch on a
>>>>>> manual
>>>>>> transmission is fully engaged. Before I pulled over my
>>>>>> transmission
>>>>>> was working absolutely perfectly. The AAA tow guy and several
>>>>>> repair
>>>>>> shops told me over the phone that the auto transmission needs
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> replaced (~$2000). Not worth it with the age of the car. Its
>>>>>> now
>>>>>> sitting in my driveway. Ideally, I would tow it to a mechanic
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> them verify this for sure. Im not sure its worth spending the
>>>>>> money
>>>>>> just to confirm this. Is there much of a chance that this
>>>>>> problem
>>>>>> would require a repair that doesnt involve replacing the entire
>>>>>> automatic transmission?
>>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One more question. It may take a while before I sell it. I plan
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> starting the engine once every 2-weeks or so to keep the engine
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> good order and battery charged. Should I add an oil or gasoline
>>>>>> preservative?
>>>>>
>>>>> Did you check the fluid level? That would be the first thing I'd
>>>>> check.
>>>>> Low level will cause exactly what you're talking about.
>>>>>
>>>>> If it's not sealed, change or clean the screen (and report back
>>>>> the
>>>>> condition of any debris you find...) and drain as much as you
>>>>> can
>>>>> and
>>>>> replace it.
>>>>>
>>>>> If you're adventerous, you can lift the front of the car, wheels
>>>>> off the
>>>>> ground, pull the trans cooler lines (the one that pumps to the
>>>>> radiator),
>>>>> get a few quarts of trans fluid and 'flush' the tranny by
>>>>> letting
>>>>> the car
>>>>> idle in drive and pump the fluid out the tube while you replace
>>>>> it
>>>>> through
>>>>> the filler. However, on a tranny this old that sounds like it
>>>>> may
>>>>> have
>>>>> never been service, this could remove the loose friction
>>>>> material
>>>>> which
>>>>> may be the only thing keeping it moving!
>>>>>
>>>>> DON'T have it powerflushed!!! It's too old, and then you really
>>>>> would need
>>>>> to replace it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sounds like he might luck out with just a normal fluid change
>>>> and new
>>>> trans filter. Not big bucks. Most shops will do it for around
>>>> $100.
>>>
>>>
>>> I do it myself for ~$35...not including 6-pack.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> $5 adder per knuckle?
>
> I give myself a 50% discount...

Ah, but what about an aquintence..!

>
> And use it to buy mechanic's gloves...if I ever wear them!
>
> Here's a challenge! Want to talk about busted knuckles? Try changine
> the
> SPARK PLUGS!!!!

Haven't had to in years, but I did have an old 60's firebird that I
had to use a breaker bar on once....

>
> http://www.supradreams.com/images/1988-turbo-engine.jpg
>
> http://www.dragtimes.com/images/7613...yota-Supra.jpg
>
>
>