Another transmission woe

[bbbbaad]

I need your help, please.

I have taken my 87GN into a local transmission shop, but not before I asked what I thought was pertinent questions, like "GN's are special, do you know how to work on them?" Of course I expected them to say yes, it was "how" they said yes that drew me in. But, I am where I am, stuck working with the shop due to the investment already made.

I took the car in due to the tranny slipping between 1-2. When I picked it up the first time, that was ok for a say, but it started slipping between 2-3 which they told me to bring it back. The owner drove me around and by the time we were done going around the block 5 or 6 times, it was now slipping in 1-2 and ok in 2-3. He told them to take it back and do it again.

They said that the valve body was bad and replaced it. No charge for this. I picked it up and drove it home. Hard to test on the street without drawing attention so I took it out a few days later and it was going from 1st to neutral, hitting the rev limiter and popping in and out. Not wanting to do more damage, I took it back.

They ordered the largest servo they could find. I took the head mechanic for a ride after they finished; he wanted to see that I was happy. When I pushed on the gas to get onto the main street (WOT), he was grabbing for anything he could find to hold on tight, saying "You can't drive this that way!" I now feel I am in trouble because they just don't get it.

I am going to call the owner today and ask for his assistance. What I am hoping to find here is a little guidance on what to ask for. I think he will respond with fixing it but I want to be in more control of the situation and become smarter on what he should be putting in, maybe even witnessing some of the parts selected.

What parts should I be asking to have put in? I know that there are specific valve bodies and marking of some sort that I can reference. Springs and governors are specific to the GN. What servo should be in there? I think that the internals are ok, but should I be asking for something specific there too?

Please help. I don’t have the knowledge that a lot of you do. I don't have the tools to do the testing like the shop does. Do I need to take this to another shop to have the stuff under the pan looked at and replaced? Do I stick with this guy to the end and hope he does it right? When you go to a restaurant and order food, it comes out bad... what do you want less? More of it. "I'm sorry sir, here is a new plate of oysters".

Thanks

Andy

 

[GNational86]

Make sure the BRF valve body they took out you get back. They are hard to find. You need to tell them to pressure test the trans. Find a cause of the slipping or you will be back every week for a trans. Did they do a shift kit? If so which one.

 

[Firechicken]

As mentioned above, the GN valvebody is special. Make sure they put it back in or you car will never shift like it did, even if they do fix the slipping clutch issue. It will have a splash of pink/purple paint on it as well as a painted on code in white or blue letters of "BRx" (where x is a number). To replace a GN valvebody you are looking at around $500, so make sure you get this part back.

Again as mentioned previously, have them put a pressure guage one it, or do it yourself, and record the pressures. Then one of the trans experts that are here can help you diagnose the problem.

If they do they open it up again, make sure they are using an Alto Red Wide band. It is 30% wider than the stock ones and will help your 1-2 shift.

Having a larger than stock servo is good, but make sure you get the old one back. The old stock one is larger than all other 2004r servos and could be sold for a couple of bucks.

 

[bbbbaad]

Thank you very much for the replies. I feel a little more empowered to go call the owner and discuss this with him.

I would still appreciate future replies to my post as it will help me deal with this as I go through it. I feel like I am in a AA meeting where I come in saying, "Hi, I'm Andy and I took my car to a local shop for transmission repair." Here you all are sitting around in chairs in a circle feeling bad for me because you have all done the same or have heard this a thousand times from others. But, I have to expose myself....it's part of the healing process.

Thanks for the forum.

Andy

 

[bbbbaad]

"Hi everyone, I'm Andy" (back for my next psych session)

I did it; I went back to the shop for more. We went for hours of drives around the block testing things out. I discussed where we were in greater detail than I am able to fully comprehend, but here goes:

I left there with the TV cable adjusted slack, which allows me no downshifting from 2-1 or 4-3-2 on the highway. This was done after many many times of adjusting the cable, adding a spring to the end of the cable, taking the spring back off, etc... We could not get any repeatability on how it was shifting. I told them that I need one of them to ride with me wherever I go so they can adjust the cable for me under all of the variable conditions I drive.

The servo has been replaced with what he term'ed "The largest they make". It was explained to me as being a solid polished aluminum valve with no accumulator in it, rubber o-rings (directional) instead of metal rings. This is causing an extremely hard shift from 1-2 and 2-3 under low acceleration and a huge bump in downshifting. Not may favorite condition.

When I asked about the torque converter, looking for the answer of 2800 stall, he said he had one specially made for the car by his guy with welded tabs and fins instead of brazed. Keep in mind, I am only repeating what he said the best as I can remember it.

The throttle body was explained to me like this. He modified one with larger springs and pistons and is better than the original stock that came in the GN. He couldn't tell me the markings or such, and I can't see it to verify anything. I have to take his word on all of this for now.

I asked about pressure readings and they were not real willing to do any for me so I have none to display for you.

I was hoping to take this out tomorrow night for a local test/tune at the track, but was fearful of doing so in the shape it's in. He assured me that it would be ok and recommended I do so I can tell if it is working ok or not. I still don’t' know if I want to do that or not.

I am going to let it cool down, let the rush hour traffic clear up and go back out to see what has changed. I know in my heart of hearts that it will be bad again tonight.

So, how do I tell this guy I need this fixed and get it done right? I could always go to another shop and get it done again, one more highly recommended by you all, and pay for my education. I know what the car can run like, it did before. I am not at all pleased with the ride of the car now, especially the harsh shifts and downshifts in stop and go traffic.

Ok, I am done for this one. I am still begging for information that can get me where I need to be.

Thanks

Andy

 

[suicide six]

See Brian on this board for tranny issues,rebuilds etc.Quit going to that loser before he ends up damaging something else.

 

[fatride]

Sounds like you will have many problems in the future.What is the story on all these springs.. Why are you doing all this research for them????? If they knew what they were doing????? Take it and get it done right from a well known builder!!!! There are many great 200 tranny builders out there...................
Just my thoughts, good luck

 

[bbbbaad]

Ok, I give. Your points are very well taken. I am at the point of taking it to a reputable shop that can do this right the first time. Can anyone give me a great 200 builder in the Northern Virginia area? I can drive 4 hours to NJ to see Eric or Billy Anderson in Baltimore, but would like to do it more local than that if possible. I need a good trusted source.

Thanks

Andy

 

[suicide six]

Those you mentioned are a good choice.

 

[fatride]

Not sure, but Eric at Dynotech might be your best and closest chioce. Dump your other guy fast................................. Don't try to save a few bucks from a no name builder. It will haunt you. Look at all the problems you have had already. Why would you want to deal with more problems???????
Good luck

 

[suicide six]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

 

[suicide six]

I have used the first guy on above list-Brian- and would highly reccommend.He will ship units and you can ship unit to him.Fast service,great product,give him a call,or contact via Email,PM from this board.

 

[cutlasskid]

how many miles are on the trans ? you should buy a trans test gauge set napa has them get some line pressures in all gears 1st with no gas foot on the brake and then brake torque it with out spinning the tires. write down the readings. he did no harm by adding the bigger servo this will help apply the second gear band harder for more load holding ability . but i think you have poor line rise which means you shift good under normal driving but as the load increases the line pressure is not increasing to carry the load ( the fluid is leaking past t.v valve) they make after market valves for this problem by a company called sonnax the valve and bushing is about 47.00 this is if your trans is not to far gone and t.v cable is set correctly if you had your original v.b or could get it there is companys out there that just fix valvebodys by replacing worn valves and bushings using sonnax parts they also have the mechines to test for leaks that you could not find any other way they test each circuit for flow by the valve. if yuo can get the valve body i will list the company i know of its in lansing mi.

 

[bbbbaad]

The transmission had 150K on it with one rebuild before I purchased it. It now has about 50 miles on it from this rebuild, which I think is all that should count.

I am calling it quits with this shop and moving on to Eric in NJ. It's a bit of a haul but I think I can get much more satisfaction out of it going this route. I want to thank everyone who pitched in to help me on this. I hope it goes smothly from here. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks

Andy

 

[cutlasskid]

the only reason i ask is there is some things that dont get changed in a rebuild or i should say over looked worm out like valve body parts and governor bore"s accum pins and pistons stuff like that.