A long time ago, my wife was on a trip to Florida and back to the midwest, when the transmission cooling lines on our Bonneville began to leak. Before she realized what was going on it had lost a fair amount of fluid.

She finished the trip down, checking the fluid diligently and topping up occasionally. On the way north things got steadily worse, until she was pouring in fluid every couple of rest areas. Despite her efforts the average fluid level was lower than it should have been.

She made it home okay, and the car went straight into the shop for new cooling lines, but some damage was done.

Ever since, when you start up from a full stop, you either have to accelerate very gradually at first, or the trans shudders and vibrates, slipping until you back off the gas and apply it again more slowly. If the car is already rolling even a little, you can trounce on it and it'll hold just fine.

Seeing as how money for a trans rebuild has not been in the budget, we've just driven it this way for a couple of years, with it getting neither better nor worse. Welcome to the world of rusted out beater cars. <sigh>

I fully intend to drive it that way until the trans dies, or we unload the car. I wonder, though, if there are any additives that might actually help, or any other alternative to a replacement or rebuild?

Wishful thinking, I know, but I'm curious anyway.

Thanks!

Mike D.

Maybe give Lucas oil products a try I know they make a few products for Transmissions. They’re a respectable company IMO and I've heard of other members using there products in their transmissions with success.

My trans. Started to do the shudder thing a few thousand miles ago. I put a new, more powerful motor and I swear this trans is barely hanging on now.

Ed

well, i speak from a bit of experience here. My tranny was shuddering and whining very loudly about 2 months ago. I put in Lucas Trans Treatment and it seemed to make it a bit smoother, but the whining was MUCH louder.

2 weeks ago I put in SeaFoam TransTune and the transmission is 100% perfect now. Its like I have a new transmission. Completely silent and smooth shifting. I was VERY suprised.

Im not sure if it was mixing the two products, or if it was the SeaFoam. But adding the SeaFoam was DEFINITELY what made the difference. You can get it at AutoZone. SeaFoam makes several products, so make sure u get the TRANSTUNE bottle. Many people on here will recommend SeaFoam products, so you can trust it.

running the trany low on oil as such possibley damaged the internal pump. Those things are not meant to be ran low on oil whatsoever. chances are "mechanic in a can" wont fix it at all. I voting for its going to need repair

I've always heard that the stuff in the bottles can have a negative affect on your trans. I was told a lot of times to stop leaking it basically swells the seals... hence the stop leak, but I would imagine more friction? Not sure... just what the transmission shop I've grown to hate told me when my Grand Marquis took a dump.

Gill, I've just bought a can of the SeaFoam TransTune. I'm ready to try the experiment.

Did you follow their directions and run the trans for a short while and then change the fluid, or did you add it and leave it there?

I realize that a complete rebuild is the better solution, but it'* not in the cards for this vehicle.

Mike D.

Dear JR,

That'* the thing. We've been nursing it that way for at least 2 years so far with no change in condition or performance. I can't say that we really treat it "gently" either, other than to pulse the gas or a second'* delay starting out.

So whatever'* wrong with it, it'* stable.

Mike D.

No sign of slip in any other gear, even pushing it hard.

That almost begins to start sounding user-serviceable!

Or the kind of thing that could be fixed with the kind of detergent or solvent additive this seafoam stuff appears to be...

Would it help if I confirmed that? Where can I do that?

Thanks, JR.

Mike D.