slush box

Don Jorgensen · Post by **Don Jorgensen** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:01 pm

Anyone with TERCEL Automatic transmission experience. My concerns. I'm looking to purchase an 85 4WD DLX with 142,000 miles on him and a bad automatic transmission. I've only driven and worked on the manuals. Does the automatic 4WD have a EL to go slow in 4WD and also..How does an automatic respond power wise compared to the g-force maximizing manuals?

Gasoline Fumes · Post by **Gasoline Fumes** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:40 pm

No EL on the autos. If you need to replace the tranny anyway, why not put in a manual?

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:06 pm

how bad is the tranny? sometimes a full flush does wonders.

do it my way though.
run engine flush through it for 5 min, then drain the pan and refill, remove the line sending fluid to the cooler and put it in a bucket, start engine and top it up as old fluid is being poured into the bucket, after it turns clean, stop topping it up and wait until air bubbles start coming out, shut off the engine. re-attatch everything and then top it up to the proper level.

takza · Post by **takza** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:42 am

If the trans still works well enough to get down the road...flushing might get some more miles out of it. I'd also finish with Mobil synth ATF and some Lubegard additive.

icE · Post by **icE** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:04 am

My old 86 Tercel was 4wd with auto. It had a problem shifting one day so did the tranny flush and it worked excellent!! The tranny will last forever if you take care of it. I say, do flush, and if it works out great. If not, swap for a manual.

Don Jorgensen · Post by **Don Jorgensen** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:23 pm

Well I went to get the Tercel with the automatic. It was in pretty sad shape with rust holes, cracked windshield, really banged up rear quarter panels and dented in around the tail lights. It is not a rebuilder in my estimation.

Still looking for a project.

Thanks to all for your input and advise.

thebigbread · Post by **thebigbread** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:38 pm

Don Jorgensen wrote:really banged up rear quarter panels and dented in around the tail lights.

like this?
viewtopic.php?t=2852
some say it will cost too much but i think it would be ridiculous to have a $900 stereo system, DVD player, Leather seats & a 4age swap with a dent in the side.

just my $0.02

Don Jorgensen · Post by **Don Jorgensen** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:32 am

I'm talking about rust through holes in lower doors, rocker panels, holes in the lower post area between doors, and major dents that altered the profile of tail lights. The rear hatch was no longer aligned with the altered body although the owner said it did not leak...

thebigbread · Post by **thebigbread** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 8:21 am

Don Jorgensen wrote:I'm talking about rust through holes in lower doors, rocker panels, holes in the lower post area between doors, and major dents that altered the profile of tail lights. The rear hatch was no longer aligned with the altered body although the owner said it did not leak...

ouch.. i would not drive that in fear of a damaged frame or drivetrain (although it is not common, it will happen to some tercels)