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Post Info TOPIC: 89 Buick FWD Torque Converter Clutch Problem


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89 Buick FWD Torque Converter Clutch Problem
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I have seen some really outstanding Auto-Rx results in engines of all types over the last few years, but have just recently begun to use it more and more in hydraulic applications such as auto transmissions and pwr steering, and am seeing improvements worth noting.  Small front and rear seals leaks/seepage has been stopped.  Shifts are more consistent and not as sloppy, most likely due to (shift) valves that were previously partially hanging up from varnish or contamination have been freed to work as designed. 

In each application,  6 oz was added to the current fluid and driven the 1000-1500 miles and then a complete flush was done to change out all the fluid.  In one particular case (96 Maxima) the fluid had 159,000 miles on the original fluid.  In this case we first flushed it out with some less expensive Dex/Merc and then added the 6 oz of ARX.  She then drove it 1500 miles on this fluid and we flushed it out completely again, this time using a higher quality fluid and added an inline Magnefine filter as well.  The fluid came out the second time dirty, showing me how much trash it had cleaned off the internals in just 1500 miles.

Some of these vehicles were shifting so poorly or slipping between shifts that there was concern about possible need for major repair.  The ARX was a last chance try and in each case, major repair was avoided, using the above procedure. 

The latest vehicle that we are trying to resurrect is an 89 Buick Century 4 cyl with 150k miles that my friend bought for $200 as a commuter car for driving to work.  We have put the ARX in all 3 fluids on this car as of today.  Previous owner was an elderly lady and she seems to have taken good care of the car.  One problem that it has is in the torque converter clutch hydraulic control circuit. She was having a problem with the engine stalling when she came to a stoplight (clutch would not release).  So her local mechanic disconnected the electrical plug that controls this circuit.  Problem was solved for her at the time for very little money.  However, this prevented the TC clutch from ever coming on, effectively making her car a 3 speed automatic again.  The TC clutch coming on is like having a 4 sp automatic on these cars and really improves fuel economy.   We are wanting to see if ARX can fix this problem, or if this internal TC valve will have to be replaced.  I will re-post here with results as he puts some miles on the car soon.



-- Edited by bmwtechguy at 15:05, 2008-10-25

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I think that Auto-Rx in the transmission of this 89 Buick should take care of the problems. On my Turbo 350 I always had done a pan drop and filter change every year using synthetic transmission fluid. So I was basically adding 4 quarts every year. I was doing about 15,000 miles a year.

The fluid always came out a nice bright red color. When I did the 6 ounces of Auto-Rx in the transmission I was not expecting much cleaning since the fluid always looked fantastic. I was wrong, this is what happened after 1500 miles and then changing the fluid:

1) The fluid that came out was a very dark burgundy color.
2) The bottom of the pan had a thin layer of grit.
3) Put in new fluid and filter
4) The transmission then shifted like it never had before, it was fantastic.

The Turbo 350 transmission with 364,000 miles shifts better than my 4R75W transmission on my Mercury Marauder that has 25,000 miles. This could also be because the transmission on the Marauder is controlled by the computer.

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