1998 Acura SLX (trooper), w/GM 4L30E transmission.
The fluid was replaced six weeks ago and despite a new crush washer torqued properly, the washer weakened and started a drip that was not caught until it was over a quart down. According to an expert on this unit, the 3rd gear clutch burned up. (New fluid was dark brown and slightly burnt; no go in 3rd gear). The unit had 162k on it and worked perfectly prior to this; I had always been careful about maintenance and am very, very disappointed (and pretty surprised) in myself that I did not catch this in time. I am also surprised being 1.5 qts down could destroy a clutch; but I am not an automatic transmission guru/expert.
I have no experience rebuilding a transmission so here goes. I asked at the Isuzu forum about what kit, parts to get but got no replies. Here's what I am thinking:
New Rear main seal for engine while transmission is out,
rebuild kit for tranny w/clutch discs (plates, too? other parts?)
New torque converter
ATSG service manual for the 4L30E
Other than that and a lot of alcohol (joke), should I be thinking of anything else?
I am unclear about the plates - do I need them or...? One thing I read said to media blast and then hit with 200 grit the existing plates. Is that good or...?
I am looking at these items:
TC's:
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1313393,parttype,8668
Kits:
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1313393,parttype,8512
I could use some advice here. Which kit? Any difference in those brand rebuilt TCs (Alliance vs. DACCO)? I will have my dad looking over my shoulder and helping me where needed and with fabbing tools - welding together a spring compressor, tranny stand, etc. (He's good at that). I am thinking besides cleaning the valve body, I'm not going to mess with that since it was working fine and has been maintained with good fluid. Plus, if something goes wrong there later, I can service it with the unit in place.
Here was the original thread at the Isuzu site and the advice I got there, but it's dried up now and I need to get the parts ordered so I can get started on it next Monday.
Transmission failure thread at planetisuzu
The fluid was replaced six weeks ago and despite a new crush washer torqued properly, the washer weakened and started a drip that was not caught until it was over a quart down. According to an expert on this unit, the 3rd gear clutch burned up. (New fluid was dark brown and slightly burnt; no go in 3rd gear). The unit had 162k on it and worked perfectly prior to this; I had always been careful about maintenance and am very, very disappointed (and pretty surprised) in myself that I did not catch this in time. I am also surprised being 1.5 qts down could destroy a clutch; but I am not an automatic transmission guru/expert.
I have no experience rebuilding a transmission so here goes. I asked at the Isuzu forum about what kit, parts to get but got no replies. Here's what I am thinking:
New Rear main seal for engine while transmission is out,
rebuild kit for tranny w/clutch discs (plates, too? other parts?)
New torque converter
ATSG service manual for the 4L30E
Other than that and a lot of alcohol (joke), should I be thinking of anything else?
I am unclear about the plates - do I need them or...? One thing I read said to media blast and then hit with 200 grit the existing plates. Is that good or...?
I am looking at these items:
TC's:
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1313393,parttype,8668
Kits:
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1313393,parttype,8512
I could use some advice here. Which kit? Any difference in those brand rebuilt TCs (Alliance vs. DACCO)? I will have my dad looking over my shoulder and helping me where needed and with fabbing tools - welding together a spring compressor, tranny stand, etc. (He's good at that). I am thinking besides cleaning the valve body, I'm not going to mess with that since it was working fine and has been maintained with good fluid. Plus, if something goes wrong there later, I can service it with the unit in place.
Here was the original thread at the Isuzu site and the advice I got there, but it's dried up now and I need to get the parts ordered so I can get started on it next Monday.
Transmission failure thread at planetisuzu