Got a new Hoopty and have a question

[gnfanatic]

hey guys, I got a 1996 cavalier (2.2, 3 speed auto) with 18,000 orig miles. Now this is where I need help. The trans fluid and filter seems to be original. Am I asking for trouble if I replace the filter and fluid??? I know when the fluid has high mileage you are better off not touching it but what about age??? Another question, this car comes with a 3t40 trans, are they reliable??? It will be driven like a normal car, no mods or anything (its a cavalier for christ sakes )

thanks guys!

 

[WH1_T-Type]

Just feed the whole car to your Turbo Buick, problem solved.

 

[datant69]

feed it to your GN that's funny

what i've heard is it's best to change out old trans fluid a 1/3 at a time. not sure how many quarts it holds but you may ask a chevy dealer i'm sure they have it on hand at the parts counter or call and ask what it costs to replace and ask how many quarts does it take then do it yourself or how ever your going to take care of this. not sure 18K needs to be replaced.

 

[1dollardog]

I basically had that same car. Mine was a 95 but had the 2.2 and 3 speed automatic. It turned out to be a very good car after the third head gasket was replaced (all before 50k 1 under warranty and 2 out of my pocket). If you ever have to replace a head gasket buy new head bolts. I learned the hard way that this is a must. Other than that the trans started slipping at 135k (never changed fluid and that was probably the problem) replaced trans with a junk yard unit and drove it to 170k and sold it to a friend and he is still driving it with near 200k on the odo. Nothing ever done to the engine besides the head gaskets. Good cheap reliable transportation.

 

[datant69]

nothing wrong with that

i drive a beater myself and keep the miles low on my GN.

 

[gnfanatic]

thaks guys, I heard about the headgaskets. Need to be careful with the water temp. I am going to drop the pan and change the filter and fluid.

thanks!

 

[chopped39]

hey guys, I got a 1996 cavalier (2.2, 3 speed auto) with 18,000 orig miles. Now this is where I need help. The trans fluid and filter seems to be original. Am I asking for trouble if I replace the filter and fluid??? I know when the fluid has high mileage you are better off not touching it but what about age??? Another question, this car comes with a 3t40 trans, are they reliable??? It will be driven like a normal car, no mods or anything (its a cavalier for christ sakes )

thanks guys!

I would change the fluid and filter. I would also change the fuel filter and put some injector cleaner through it. The two things I seen when I worked for chevy was the headgasket and the 1st to 2nd gear flare up.I watched the trans guys make 6 digits fixing those cars they got paid 12 hrs for three hrs work .I dont care what anyone says i change my trans fluid and filter every third oil change on all my cars. The trans in my buick lasted 90k before it let loose and I beat the beans out of it. Then I put another 40k on one of jimmys transmissions before motor popped.I changed the fluid every 2nd oil change on the buick after jimmy did trans

 

[datant69]

there you go

straight from a chevy guy who worked there, that's his preferance and maybe you wouldn't need to change it that often but couldn't hurt. i just always heard not to change all the oil out at one time, do it in 1/3's or something like that.