Automatics past 200K miles.
- Thread starter ClarkB
- Start date
- Status
95 Civic EX Auto currently 178k. Still shifts smooth. I had it serviced at 165K, unknown history but no metal on the plug when changed. Fluid didn't look to bad and wasn't burnt.
Wow, didn't expect this thread to see new life!
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: ClarkB
Conventional BITOG wisdom is that all automatic transmissions will need serious work before 200K miles.
Clark
Maybe all FWD econobox autmatics will need attention before 200k, but not ALL automatics...
Notice that this was BITOG wisdom, not your own or anyone else who has driven an automatic equipped car and maintained it well. There are topics out there and there will be more to come where the insinuation is that manuals are always better because they are simpler, cost less to maintain and don't cost as much to rebuild when (if) needed.
I simply wanted a thread to see how many people had actually witnessed an automatic over 200K miles with no major maintenance issue over it's life simply to show many of the naysayers that manuals do not offer that great of a maintenance advantage over automatics.
Clark
PS - Let me say that again....manuals do not offer much (if any) maintenance advantage over automatics.
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: ClarkB
Conventional BITOG wisdom is that all automatic transmissions will need serious work before 200K miles.
Clark
Maybe all FWD econobox autmatics will need attention before 200k, but not ALL automatics...
Notice that this was BITOG wisdom, not your own or anyone else who has driven an automatic equipped car and maintained it well. There are topics out there and there will be more to come where the insinuation is that manuals are always better because they are simpler, cost less to maintain and don't cost as much to rebuild when (if) needed.
I simply wanted a thread to see how many people had actually witnessed an automatic over 200K miles with no major maintenance issue over it's life simply to show many of the naysayers that manuals do not offer that great of a maintenance advantage over automatics.
Clark
PS - Let me say that again....manuals do not offer much (if any) maintenance advantage over automatics.
Originally Posted By: citationxeleven
95 Civic EX Auto currently 178k. Still shifts smooth. I had it serviced at 165K, unknown history but no metal on the plug when changed. Fluid didn't look to bad and wasn't burnt.
My '95 Integra AT has 164,500 miles on it and it's never had any work done on it. Just routine fluid changes. Still shifts great, using Amsoil ATF. Honda does know how to make good AT's, when they want to appararently.
95 Civic EX Auto currently 178k. Still shifts smooth. I had it serviced at 165K, unknown history but no metal on the plug when changed. Fluid didn't look to bad and wasn't burnt.
My '95 Integra AT has 164,500 miles on it and it's never had any work done on it. Just routine fluid changes. Still shifts great, using Amsoil ATF. Honda does know how to make good AT's, when they want to appararently.
I think almost all companies make AT's that can last that long. Some will take more torture than others but 200k highway miles is pretty easy.
Originally Posted By: ClarkB
Wow, didn't expect this thread to see new life!
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: ClarkB
Conventional BITOG wisdom is that all automatic transmissions will need serious work before 200K miles.
Clark
Maybe all FWD econobox autmatics will need attention before 200k, but not ALL automatics...
Notice that this was BITOG wisdom, not your own or anyone else who has driven an automatic equipped car and maintained it well. There are topics out there and there will be more to come where the insinuation is that manuals are always better because they are simpler, cost less to maintain and don't cost as much to rebuild when (if) needed.
I simply wanted a thread to see how many people had actually witnessed an automatic over 200K miles with no major maintenance issue over it's life simply to show many of the naysayers that manuals do not offer that great of a maintenance advantage over automatics.
Clark
PS - Let me say that again....manuals do not offer much (if any) maintenance advantage over automatics.
We're in total agreement. Now before anyone pounces on me... I *love* driving a manual transmission vehicle. But its false logic to think of it as a longevity/reliability/cost advantage over an automatic. One clutch job erases all the advantage it might have, and I don't care how good you are at driving a stick, you'll likely need a clutch before the same vehicle with an automatic will need a trans overhaul. Nor are manuals particularly inexpensive to get rebuilt if you wear out the synchros, gear train, internal bearings, etc. There are exceptions either way of course, but if you look at averages its about a wash between the two.
Wow, didn't expect this thread to see new life!
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Originally Posted By: ClarkB
Conventional BITOG wisdom is that all automatic transmissions will need serious work before 200K miles.
Clark
Maybe all FWD econobox autmatics will need attention before 200k, but not ALL automatics...
Notice that this was BITOG wisdom, not your own or anyone else who has driven an automatic equipped car and maintained it well. There are topics out there and there will be more to come where the insinuation is that manuals are always better because they are simpler, cost less to maintain and don't cost as much to rebuild when (if) needed.
I simply wanted a thread to see how many people had actually witnessed an automatic over 200K miles with no major maintenance issue over it's life simply to show many of the naysayers that manuals do not offer that great of a maintenance advantage over automatics.
Clark
PS - Let me say that again....manuals do not offer much (if any) maintenance advantage over automatics.
We're in total agreement. Now before anyone pounces on me... I *love* driving a manual transmission vehicle. But its false logic to think of it as a longevity/reliability/cost advantage over an automatic. One clutch job erases all the advantage it might have, and I don't care how good you are at driving a stick, you'll likely need a clutch before the same vehicle with an automatic will need a trans overhaul. Nor are manuals particularly inexpensive to get rebuilt if you wear out the synchros, gear train, internal bearings, etc. There are exceptions either way of course, but if you look at averages its about a wash between the two.
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
+1
Unless your plan is to get another trans from the auto wrecker?
I am a bit ashamed to admit this but I suspect the transmission fluid in my Neon could be the original fill. In the manual it is described as maintenance free and my grandfather had the car until 2000. Then it bounced around the family as a spare car until 2005 and I've put 60k of highway miles
since then. My mom threw out all the maintenance records before I got it but I doubt anyone got a change done between 2000-2005. Fluid looks and smells fine and it only makes maybe 40 shifts a day on my 60 mile commute and spends most of the time at 60mph with the converter locked.
Almost all my autocross runs are done in 1st gear only so that doesn't work the trans to much either.
It's too bad I don't know for sure if its the factory fill, it would be an interesting oil analysis to see, 16 years and 208,000km...
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
+1
Unless your plan is to get another trans from the auto wrecker?
I am a bit ashamed to admit this but I suspect the transmission fluid in my Neon could be the original fill. In the manual it is described as maintenance free and my grandfather had the car until 2000. Then it bounced around the family as a spare car until 2005 and I've put 60k of highway miles
since then. My mom threw out all the maintenance records before I got it but I doubt anyone got a change done between 2000-2005. Fluid looks and smells fine and it only makes maybe 40 shifts a day on my 60 mile commute and spends most of the time at 60mph with the converter locked.
Almost all my autocross runs are done in 1st gear only so that doesn't work the trans to much either.
It's too bad I don't know for sure if its the factory fill, it would be an interesting oil analysis to see, 16 years and 208,000km...
No love here for Ford's A4LD...No surprise there...
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
+1
Unless your plan is to get another trans from the auto wrecker?
I am a bit ashamed to admit this but I suspect the transmission fluid in my Neon could be the original fill. In the manual it is described as maintenance free and my grandfather had the car until 2000. Then it bounced around the family as a spare car until 2005 and I've put 60k of highway miles
since then. My mom threw out all the maintenance records before I got it but I doubt anyone got a change done between 2000-2005. Fluid looks and smells fine and it only makes maybe 40 shifts a day on my 60 mile commute and spends most of the time at 60mph with the converter locked.
Almost all my autocross runs are done in 1st gear only so that doesn't work the trans to much either.
It's too bad I don't know for sure if its the factory fill, it would be an interesting oil analysis to see, 16 years and 208,000km...
That will generate a lot of heat that way.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
I wouldnt wait for that to happen,why have the car sit in the back yard and deteriorate? Just p/u some decent fluid/filter and change it.It really isnt that much money to do a service on a Cavalier transmission. Plus,it will save you all kinds of money in the long run. BTW,it sounds like your filter is the culprit.
+1
Unless your plan is to get another trans from the auto wrecker?
I am a bit ashamed to admit this but I suspect the transmission fluid in my Neon could be the original fill. In the manual it is described as maintenance free and my grandfather had the car until 2000. Then it bounced around the family as a spare car until 2005 and I've put 60k of highway miles
since then. My mom threw out all the maintenance records before I got it but I doubt anyone got a change done between 2000-2005. Fluid looks and smells fine and it only makes maybe 40 shifts a day on my 60 mile commute and spends most of the time at 60mph with the converter locked.
Almost all my autocross runs are done in 1st gear only so that doesn't work the trans to much either.
It's too bad I don't know for sure if its the factory fill, it would be an interesting oil analysis to see, 16 years and 208,000km...
That will generate a lot of heat that way.
Originally Posted By: nucleardawg
No love here for Ford's A4LD...No surprise there...
Knock on wood I have 181,000 miles on my 3.0L Aerostar with the A4LD transmission, and no problems to report. I had it serviced about 1000 miles ago and everything looked good. I'm hoping for 200,000 miles out of it.
No love here for Ford's A4LD...No surprise there...
Knock on wood I have 181,000 miles on my 3.0L Aerostar with the A4LD transmission, and no problems to report. I had it serviced about 1000 miles ago and everything looked good. I'm hoping for 200,000 miles out of it.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
the trans in these cars are a weak leak, I have the 3 speed auto that is on it's last leg too. I believe rudolpha had a cav's trans rebuild too.
I have 138k on a 4-speed auto in my Cavalier. I bought it when it had 55k miles, and I've never touched the transmission, so it could very well have the original fluid in it.
Transmission still shifts okay, but in the last year or so, it has started to shift rough and erratically. I suspect it's on it's way out, but I can't afford to do anything about it, so I guess I'm just going to see how long it will last before it grenades....
the trans in these cars are a weak leak, I have the 3 speed auto that is on it's last leg too. I believe rudolpha had a cav's trans rebuild too.
I`m not sure about the 4spd.but the 3spd`s were pretty durable.
My mom's 99 Olds Alero with the 3400 V6 has the same 4T40E trans as the 4 speed Cavalier's and Sunfire's. It's still working perfect at just over 200k with the fluid and filter only serviced once at 120k (a complete fluid exchange at that time). If it can hold up in that car, it should last forever in a 2.2L Cavalier. The 3 speed was supposed to be even more durable, only thing is the TCC solenoid would fail, and they were also controlled by a TV cable instead of being computer controlled. If the TV cable was to break or get out of adjustment, line pressure could be low and burn out the transmission. Not sure if this is how any of them died, but it was common on the 2004R's and 700R4's in 80's rear drive GM's.
Originally Posted By: caprice_2nv
My mom's 99 Olds Alero with the 3400 V6 has the same 4T40E trans as the 4 speed Cavalier's and Sunfire's. It's still working perfect at just over 200k with the fluid and filter only serviced once at 120k (a complete fluid exchange at that time). If it can hold up in that car, it should last forever in a 2.2L Cavalier. The 3 speed was supposed to be even more durable, only thing is the TCC solenoid would fail, and they were also controlled by a TV cable instead of being computer controlled. If the TV cable was to break or get out of adjustment, line pressure could be low and burn out the transmission. Not sure if this is how any of them died, but it was common on the 2004R's and 700R4's in 80's rear drive GM's.
The turbo 200 was just not built strong enough for the vehicles they were using them in.
My mom's 99 Olds Alero with the 3400 V6 has the same 4T40E trans as the 4 speed Cavalier's and Sunfire's. It's still working perfect at just over 200k with the fluid and filter only serviced once at 120k (a complete fluid exchange at that time). If it can hold up in that car, it should last forever in a 2.2L Cavalier. The 3 speed was supposed to be even more durable, only thing is the TCC solenoid would fail, and they were also controlled by a TV cable instead of being computer controlled. If the TV cable was to break or get out of adjustment, line pressure could be low and burn out the transmission. Not sure if this is how any of them died, but it was common on the 2004R's and 700R4's in 80's rear drive GM's.
The turbo 200 was just not built strong enough for the vehicles they were using them in.
Originally Posted By: lexus114
The turbo 200 was just not built strong enough for the vehicles they were using them in.
The TH200-4R is a 4 speed, and the TH200 is a 3 speed. The TH200 was generally considered a failure and was not durable(especially in V8 powered heavy cars). The TH200-4R was considerbly more durable, although early models had some issues. This transmission was used behind Buick GNX's (it was the only 4spd OD auto GM made with the BOP bolt pattern) . I have had a couple TH200-4R's reach 200K miles without issue.
The turbo 200 was just not built strong enough for the vehicles they were using them in.
The TH200-4R is a 4 speed, and the TH200 is a 3 speed. The TH200 was generally considered a failure and was not durable(especially in V8 powered heavy cars). The TH200-4R was considerbly more durable, although early models had some issues. This transmission was used behind Buick GNX's (it was the only 4spd OD auto GM made with the BOP bolt pattern) . I have had a couple TH200-4R's reach 200K miles without issue.
I did a drop and replace for fluid and filter on a transmission for a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina with the 3.1L the other day. Car had 265k original miles and never had the trans fluids replaced. The sediment across the bottom of it, with the majority of it sticking to the pan magnet, was the color and consistency of used gear oil, that grayish thick color.
The 3T40 and 4T40e in general are very solid and long lasting. My car got a bad one or something, it grenaded at 120k miles. No idea what thv failure was, the service record only lists "internal failure". The reman unit is doing pretty well so far with 11k miles on it.
- Status
Similar threads
