Transmission

buffalochip47 · Post by **buffalochip47** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:19 pm

I have a 1986 Toyota Tercel SR 5 Wagon with a 3AC 1.5 engine. This is a standard 5 speed transmission with extra low gear. Car has 320,000 miles on it. I am its 2nd owner. With engine going, it is easy to get into 2nd gear but takes alot to get into 3rd at times. Would changing all the trans fluids help or is this a sign transmission is going out.

keith · Post by **keith** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:09 pm

Is it grinding when you try to put it in gear or does it just not want to go? Have you tried to shift at a lower speed? If the engine is running and you are not moving, will it shift through the gears OK? If not, will it go through the gears with the engine off?

How about 4th and 5th gears? Do you get a lot of play in 5th gear, that is do you feel like there is a gap when you either step on the gas or let off?

Post by **Petros** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:13 pm

Yes, this is a sign that it is wearing out (and it looks like you got way more miles out of it than most of us, my Tercel is on its 3rd trans).

However there are a few things you can try to make it last a bit longer. Get the trans hot by driving up several long hills, and then drain it (all three drain plugs). Replace the fluid with a mixture of 50/50 auto trans fluid and gear oil (use cheap stuff). Search the archives for the procedure because you want to make sure you fill the whole tran/diff/tranfer case.

Then drive it for an hour or two, make sure it gets good and hot, than drain this mixture out and discard it. Do not leave this mixture in the car very long, the ATF could soften the seals and ruin them if you leave it exposed to the the AFT too long. Put in quality gear oil. You might consider putting in the "MTF" synthetic trans oil (it is purple, and quite expensive).

If your shift issues is due to the sycros being gummed-up with deposits, metal fragments and sludge, the ATF will clean it out and it may shift better. The synthetic gear oil is thinner and more slippery and may also help it shift better, and offer it better lube protection for the rest of its life (which may not be much longer-perhaps a year, perhaps 5 years).

Good luck,