Ohh boy. Here we go again. I spend a few weeks getting this old gal to pass emissions, and on our first trip to Idaho post smog pass, and things go sideways. Driving along at a cool 72 miles per, and about 90 miles into our 100 mile trip, I feel the torque converter unlock, while I'm pulling a small hill. I let off the throttle and coast a little, and then accelerate again. Definitely not locking. We exit, drive slow to my parent's house, noting that the trans is shifting fine 1-3, no slipping, and then assess the damage once we're there. I immediately suspect a blown line, but all line's look intact. There is a healthy amount of fluid splashed on the passenger front's rear spring perch, as well as dripping down the dipstick tube. Fairly certain that's where it came from.
I messaged a buddy of mine who is a Cruiser mechanic, and he can't imagine that it's good, but the fluid loss is the culprit of the unlocking torque converter. Next morning we run to Crapa, throw in a quart of ATF, and she drives perfectly fine. Even locks up on time. Hoping that the fluid loss was due to a bad o-ring in the dipstick tube, we make the journey home yesterday. Again, within exits of our destination, torque converter unlocks. I pull over, note the copious amounts of fluid actively dripping from the dipstick tube, top it off. And limp it home.
What's ticking it off, and pushing fluid out of the dipstick tube? I feel like replacing that o-ring is just a bandaid, and there are larger issues at play here, but could it be something mechanical in the trans has failed, or maybe a blocked line to or from the cooler? I'm afraid our timeline for the 5-speed swap has been pushed up.. But hoping it's a simple fix. I'm all ears, Cruiserheads.
I messaged a buddy of mine who is a Cruiser mechanic, and he can't imagine that it's good, but the fluid loss is the culprit of the unlocking torque converter. Next morning we run to Crapa, throw in a quart of ATF, and she drives perfectly fine. Even locks up on time. Hoping that the fluid loss was due to a bad o-ring in the dipstick tube, we make the journey home yesterday. Again, within exits of our destination, torque converter unlocks. I pull over, note the copious amounts of fluid actively dripping from the dipstick tube, top it off. And limp it home.
What's ticking it off, and pushing fluid out of the dipstick tube? I feel like replacing that o-ring is just a bandaid, and there are larger issues at play here, but could it be something mechanical in the trans has failed, or maybe a blocked line to or from the cooler? I'm afraid our timeline for the 5-speed swap has been pushed up.. But hoping it's a simple fix. I'm all ears, Cruiserheads.
