last week i flushed the tranny in my 93 because the torque converter was squeeling. i took the pan and filter off and let the car run for about 5 second to push more of the old fluid out. the filter was loaded with fine metal dust. upon refilling, i drove the car about 20 miles with no problem. yesterday i drove about 30 miles, reaching 120mph several times. on the drive back home, i noticed the rpms begin to increase while the car stayed at the same speed. i pulled over and could hear the torque converter squeeling again. i attempted to take off, but the car wouldn't go anywhere, forward or backward. the fluid is not burned and seems to be at the proper level. after setting overnight, the car started and moved about 5 feet then started slipping again. i can redline it and it goes nowhere. When i get home, i shall check the lines to see if the pump is pumping.

i figure it's either the converter or pump.

Opinions, suggestions?

thanks.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a transmission expert, but...

It could be the pump, but the converter itself, IMO, is not likely to fail that way. There are several clutches inside most automatics that wear out and are common failure points. These require a rebuild to fix. The presence of a large amount of metallic sludge/dust is often a symptom of that.

As I said, I am not an auto- trans expert, so take it for what it's worth...

 

while it COULD be your TC (as in total failure of the turbine assembly) I suspect worn out clutches or bands.

Regardless, it is time for a rebuild or replacement. Good news is, there often times is a lot of these transmissions for sale on the Forum. You can also find good used ones at salvage yards, from the MPV.

Good luck!

 

It could be any of the above. I lean towards pump but it's just a guess until you crack it open.

You can find a used auto for good prices in the classifieds. Heck someone was giving one away for FREE recently.

 

if you want a replacement a buddy of mine is doing a manual swap and I can see what he wants for his old tranny, IIRC 105k on it

 

I also know that changing the fluid in an already dieing automatic could result in total transmission failure. Has something to do with the consistency of the old oil vs. the new oil. That's why those "stop slip" additives to transmission oils are SUPER THICK.

I know some old timers (and/or car dealers) that would literally put sawdust in their transmissions to mask the symptoms of a dieing transmission.

 

not sure how one would exactly do this in the FD's trans but a good trick is to throw the trans into failsafe mode which would essentially max the pressures. This is usually done by disconnecting the connector(s) to the solenoids. It's a very easy thing to do and you could see if it changes anything.

 

That was done, IIRC, in manual transmissions and final drives (differentials) to pad worn gears and bearings. Never heard of anyone doing that in an auto trans. I'd think it would just plug up all the small hydraulic passages (and there are many), and the filter (designed to keep crud out of the passages), and create major problems.

Dave

 

everytime i let it set for a little while, i can start it up and move it about 50 feet before it starts slipping again. belts?

 

Why not call the Mazda dealer or a trans shop and ask them what they think? Bajaman said the same trans was used on the Mazda MPV. Maybe they'd know what commonly happens. At this point, I think we've given you all the guesses we can think of w/o someone seeing it up close and personal.

Dave

 

The auto was used in several applications.

Pathfinder 2 & 4X4 8/87-2004
V6 Pickup Truck 7/87-2003
240SX 7/88-6/98
300ZX Non Turbo 2/89-8/96
X-Terra 5/99-2004
Infiniti M30 89-91
J30 92-97
QX4 96-02.



I've not seen the internals of those other applications but would be cautious. You can purchase a rebuild kit from several vendors.

Here's a couple:
txchange.com
transmissionpartsusa.com

The RX7 transmission is the R4AX-EL which is supposedly the same as the RE4R01A.


I'd pull it myself and take it to a local "good ole boys transmission shop". They'll have that thing fixed in no time.

 

just an update. i've been snowed in, but i'm going to pull it out this week and have a look see. after that i will most likely post a wanted add. i have found some for around $700, but i can't really afford that at the moment. i found some manuals for around $400, but then i have to buy a lot of other crap to convert it.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. if you now any good deals, feel free to let me know.

 

Dude....have you looked around any salvage yards? As grimple1 has shown, there are a lot of applications you can ask for.
Also, have you posted a 'Want to Buy' ad yet in the 3rd gen section? I too have seen these things GIVEN away by previous owners.

 

I bet you'll find the 1st/reverse clutch pack wasted, nothing but metal facing left. The surfaces that were there once were in your filter.

Remedy - toss the auto and go for the manual swap. You will never look back


later