Hi all,
I had removed my radiator, detaching the transmission fluid line, then reattached and as far as I know that is all my head gasket replacement job affected the transmission. Everything back together and I over filled the trans fluid by a few inchs on the dipstick (with it running). Went for a test drive and all went well except a few times where it would shift up normally to the highest gear and then just lose load...just as if I had shifted into neutral.
I had to downshift to 3rd and then it picked up. I could stop and shift into Drive again and it would shift up normally and then once I got to the highest gear just rev up as before. I removed some fluid because I thought it might be sensitive in this way to overfilling. Since I lowered the level to right on the top line it has done this behavior once more and then stopped. Last test ride was completely normal. Transmission shifting exactly as it should.

Is it possible that the overfilling and the losing the highest gear could be related? Has this happened to anyone else? The transmission has served me very well and I have 200k on it. I changed the fluid about a year ago in hopes that it would last as long as possible. My experience with transmissions going south is that they lose reverse first. I am hoping this is not the way these trannys go.

Thanks very much,
Jim Lee
1995 E320 wagon