Finally finished changing the transmission fluid. Really glad I did! It was the dirtiest transmission fluid I've ever seen. Lots of tiny particles floating in it. Over time, they act like sandpaper or sandblasting, wearing parts down. They can also clog small ports and valves in the transmission which have to reach certain pressures to operate properly.
Of course, it wasn't all that simple. The tool I got yesterday would not fit in the area I needed to reach. So I wound up dropping the cross member, after all. I used a second jack to support the transmission before doing so.
Got everything taken apart, cleaned and put back together. Didn't have enough transmission fluid. Went to Auto Zone for that and the PCV valve. The store near me showed in their computer they had the valve in stock. However, on checking the shelf, not only was the part not there but the space for it didn't exist! They called another store nearby and that store had it in stock. Rode over there and got the items. They were nice and had the valve sitting by the register when I got there.
PCV valve was a good idea. Immediately saw a difference. Had to adjust the idle speed again but it stayed stable this time. That should further improve gas mileage. Looked it up and the original rating for this car was 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
Confirmed the issue with the CV axle. The axle is fine but the boot is torn apart. Best choice is to replace the whole thing. Dirt has gotten into the bearings and it would require pulling the axle and taking it apart to replace the boot.
Never got to the seat belt. Keep trying. It was more important to get the engine and transmission done. Not much good to have a working seat belt in a car that won't go any place.
Work went a bit better today. Late in the day, we were allowed to work web cases to a limited degree. So my case count went back up to 77 today. Not quite 90 but better than 65.
Of course, it wasn't all that simple. The tool I got yesterday would not fit in the area I needed to reach. So I wound up dropping the cross member, after all. I used a second jack to support the transmission before doing so.
Got everything taken apart, cleaned and put back together. Didn't have enough transmission fluid. Went to Auto Zone for that and the PCV valve. The store near me showed in their computer they had the valve in stock. However, on checking the shelf, not only was the part not there but the space for it didn't exist! They called another store nearby and that store had it in stock. Rode over there and got the items. They were nice and had the valve sitting by the register when I got there.
PCV valve was a good idea. Immediately saw a difference. Had to adjust the idle speed again but it stayed stable this time. That should further improve gas mileage. Looked it up and the original rating for this car was 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
Confirmed the issue with the CV axle. The axle is fine but the boot is torn apart. Best choice is to replace the whole thing. Dirt has gotten into the bearings and it would require pulling the axle and taking it apart to replace the boot.
Never got to the seat belt. Keep trying. It was more important to get the engine and transmission done. Not much good to have a working seat belt in a car that won't go any place.
Work went a bit better today. Late in the day, we were allowed to work web cases to a limited degree. So my case count went back up to 77 today. Not quite 90 but better than 65.
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