1997 1/2 voyager 3.0L 3spd transaxle, 75000mi, just blew up the transmission.

1997 1/2 voyager 3.0L 3spd auto transaxle, 75000mi, just blew up the
tranny.

I've owned this from brand new, and always babied the shifting,
holding back on accelerator , until after the shifts are complete.
The servicing was done every 25000 mi with a complete flush.

The transmission shop diagnosis: planetary gear cluster blew up,
rendering the tranny unfit for rebuilding and a core refund. Had to be
replaced with another rebuild unit.

$us2000 later, includes taxes, back on the road, . Have a two year
warranty. Transmission shop belongs to the association , all over
north america, and claims to have replaced with all updated parts, and
should last longer than origional. Had to add cooler, (old cooler may
have shards in it.)

Any idea why the failure would have occurred? I was under the
impression that the trannies are bullet proof, according to salesman,
when I bought it.

 

Compared to the 4 speed the 3 IS bulletproof - but still not bomb
proof. I replaced the 3 speed in my 3.0 liter 1988 New Yorker about 2
years ago at around 200,000KM. In my case, the diff gears let go,
ruining the case. This is relatively common - ie, if the tranny fails,
it's a good chance this will be the failure. It is NOT common in that
it is to be expected.

In my case I got REAL lucky and picked up a used tranny from a mid
nineties Sundance or Acclaim (can't remember which) that had been
wrecked with 15,000KM on it. It sat at the wreckers for a few years
before the engine was sold, minus the tranny - and they gave me a REAL
deal on it - $300.00 exchange.
Cost me another $250 to have it installed ( I did not have the time,
and I retired from active duty as a mechanic for good reason - my
shoulders don't take it any more)
Then the tranny shop offered me more than the wrecker's core charge
because he had another customer's car in that needed some major parts
that were still OK in mine, so I came out another $50 ahead and did
not need to handle the old trans to return.

 

I"ve had 2 with those trannies and didn't find them anywhere near
bulletproof. MOF I've had more trouble with the 3 spds than the 4 spds. I've
had.
Larry

 

Hard to say. Sometimes bad things just happen.


Matt

 

97 1/2 voyager 3.0L 3spd transaxle, 75000mi, coolant usage, 2 qts
every 5000 miles, where is it going?

-Looked for leaks at under the dash , passenger side, and at carpets,
all are dry.
-Parked it on fresh cardboard, to look for wetspots, no luck.

-No bubbles inside rad so no headgasket leak?
-Yet the level is down, and have to top up a quart about every 3rd
fuel fillup.

-I am using the Chevy extended antifreeze. Would this creat the
problem?

 

Maybe you had bad luck. My parents had an '88 Lancer with 3-speed
automatic which they sold at about 110K to a friend who how has 120K+.
The transmission is still working fine, with the original oil. The
Lancer has less motor, a non-turbo 2.5, but it sounds like you kind of
babied yours and it still broke, so luck may have been a factor.