I know my transmission is getting a little weak. It's been shifting fine to 1-2, then a little soft to 3-4. So, I had the transmission serviced and a new (updated) modulator put on. Now it's REAL slushy when the car gets warm. All the vacuum seems to be fine, if anything it may be getting too much.
The mechanic as well as many other's I've spoken to says about 175-180K is about normal for these transmissions. But I thought it would go pretty gradually. Are there any adjustments that would cause this to go pretty quickly? I'm going to have the mechanic look at it when I go by this afternoon. He said there was some debris in the pan, and that it would need one soon but was ok for now. He's done good work for me, and will rebuild it for $1200. I just don't have that to spend right now, and was hoping for another miracle.
Well, hey, it worked with the glow plug !

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R Talley
88 BMW E32 735i (make it go away)
95 Volvo 960 "Inga" (valve problems)
95 Nissan Maxima (the indestructible)
89 Ford Ranger XLT (ugliest truck in the South)

Turn up the pressure on the modulator. When that is turned up all the way, disconnect the vacuum line completely as a last resort. These trannies will last a LONG time after they start complaining if you can put up with it. Then you can put type F Fluid in the tranny after that. There are alot of tricks to eek some more miles out if it.

Turbodiesel,
Took it back to the mechanic today...had to deliver the Volvo parts. He test drove it. Turned the modulator 1/2 turn in, and poof...it's better. I still think there may be some adjustment in the vacuum resistor on the injection pump, but I have one of those that was off of a car that was IN adjustment when wrecked. Also, I will check those valves on top of the valve cover over the holidays when I have some time.
My mileage hasn't been overly good, and the car rocks even though it has a new rack bolt. He said it probably needs a timing adjustment. He will remove the pump, check timing, take apart and clean the injectors, and replace both ends of injector gaskets for $145. I think I'll do it after I recoup from Christmas.
After all that, he said the trannie feels strong enough to last a while...at least until summer or so.
All about that miracle modulator thing...

__________________
R Talley
88 BMW E32 735i (make it go away)
95 Volvo 960 "Inga" (valve problems)
95 Nissan Maxima (the indestructible)
89 Ford Ranger XLT (ugliest truck in the South)

TCCBass,

Just a word of warning about the $1200.00 rebuild.

I got an estimate from a reputable independent Mercedes shop near my home, who told me they do not work on transmissions but would be able to install a factory rebuilt unit for $2800. I thought I could do better than that price and found someone who rebuilt my transmission for $1200. Picked the car up the day before my wedding and drove the car on our honeymoon trip. This magnificent new rebuild left us stranded 600 miles from home 4 days after the job was done. The mechanic was willing to repair it, but I would have had to tow it to his shop. Well I figured a 600 mile tow fee to have the same clown work on it again was just not worth it, so I found a place that sold rebuilt tranny's for about $1200 and had one shipped to where my car was being held hostage at a small town transmission repair shop. That mechanic had tried to fix the first rebuild to no avail, then charged me $500.00 for his work(which failed) and to install the unit I had shipped to him. This new unit worked fine... for about three months. Took it to the place I bought the rebuilt unit from, they replaced it free of charge. That unit worked well for about 4 months. The rebuild shop worked on it until it they could do no more and to this day I'm not happy with it at all. The 1-year warranty has expired and looking back, I realize the $2900(not counting the rental car expense for the balance of my honeymoon) I spent has put me back in the same boat I was in originally. In fact, I have less confidence in my transmission now than before it was first rebuilt. My 20/20 hindsight vision now says to go with the factory rebuilt transmission.

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Dave
1995 C280
1999 Triumph Daytona 955I - my speed fix.
1982 300TD - Gone, but not forgotten.