Automatic Transmission Fluid and AC

I'm going to be picking up a 1993 BUICK LESABRE in a few days. From what I hear in my previous post this is a very reliable car. The only thing I'm concerned about is the tranny. I never really did trust front wheel drive cars to much. The last front wheel drive car I had was a Dodge Avenger. I believe that car had a computer controlled transmission and required factory fluid or it would clog something in the tranny.

I was wondering, does the LeSabre have computer controlled trannys too? And what type of fluid should I use in the tranny? Also, is it safe and easy to remove the fluid in the torque converter, and how much fluid does the torque converter hold?


One more question. What type of refrigerant does the 93 Lesabre take? I was wondering if it takes r-12 or r-134.

Thanks All......

I'm going to be picking up a 1993 BUICK LESABRE in a few days. From what I hear in my previous post this is a very reliable car. The only thing I'm concerned about is the tranny. I never really did trust front wheel drive cars to much. The last front wheel drive car I had was a Dodge Avenger. I believe that car had a computer controlled transmission and required factory fluid or it would clog something in the tranny.

I was wondering, does the LeSabre have computer controlled trannys too? And what type of fluid should I use in the tranny? Also, is it safe and easy to remove the fluid in the torque converter, and how much fluid does the torque converter hold?


One more question. What type of refrigerant does the 93 Lesabre take? I was wondering if it takes r-12 or r-134.

Thanks All...... Dexron 111, no convertor drain. 7.5 qts in the pan. Most likely r12, but check the under hood labels. Yes pcm controlled unit.

does "pcm controlled unit" refers to the transmission being controlled by a computer???? i was hoping the tranny was not computer controlled. just how reliable are these transmissions? the first thing i was going to do was change the fluids and filters (tranny, oil, coolant). but i was wondering if these trannys have a history of failing???

does "pcm controlled unit" refers to the transmission being controlled by a computer???? i was hoping the tranny was not computer controlled. just how reliable are these transmissions? the first thing i was going to do was change the fluids and filters (tranny, oil, coolant). but i was wondering if these trannys have a history of failing???

They do not have history of failing. My 93 had 155K mi on it when my wife made me trade it on an 03. The trans was smoother than my 98's trans at the time.

I would be careful about changing the fluid completely in the transmission with one of the flush jobs. You didn't mention how many miles on the car. Also if the fluid looks old and not cared for every 36-50K then you've heard the stories about changing fluid loosening stuff and being connected with later failure. I'd only drop the pan and replace with Dextron 3 like the earlier poster said.

Only failure I had is a tube that sticks out of the intake manifold and carries coolant to water pump???. It is plastic and cracks at the threads. The replacement is metal. It had started seeping and then by messing with it I helped it crack after I found the water coming from it. It's relatively cheap fix.

Plugs and wires need changed by 70-80 K miles if they weren't already.

Same for coolant needs changed every couple years 30K miles just like green stuff. Replace with Dexcool.

this buick had 96,000 miles. the fluid in the trans looks very clean, no bubbles or odors either. my plan was to change the tranny filter or strainer and the fluid in the tranny. i was under the impression however that the tranny only held about 5 quarts of fluid. i dont want to change all the fluid since the fluid looks clean. so if i only replace the fluid in the pan, i'll need about 8 quarts???????

also this tube that sticks out of the intake manifold, can it be purchased the replacement tube be purchased from any autoparts store, or do i have to go to gm?

i forgot one other thing. what temp. thermostat should be used in this buick?

this buick had 96,000 miles. the fluid in the trans looks very clean, no bubbles or odors either. my plan was to change the tranny filter or strainer and the fluid in the tranny. i was under the impression however that the tranny only held about 5 quarts of fluid. i dont want to change all the fluid since the fluid looks clean. so if i only replace the fluid in the pan, i'll need about 8 quarts???????

also this tube that sticks out of the intake manifold, can it be purchased the replacement tube be purchased from any autoparts store, or do i have to go to gm?

i forgot one other thing. what temp. thermostat should be used in this buick?
T stat is 195, pretty sure this is 7.5 qts. on a 4t60e trans, check your owner manual. Get the tube from GM.

Keep it simple - for many years, a trans change consisted of a pan gasket, fitler and replacing pan fluid.

Then they came out with this new fangled flush (radiators, trans, etc...).

I still go with what I know and that's nowadays considered OLD SCHOOL.

Just change the pan gasket, filter and you'll need 6 qts. of fluid. Do this yourself as any oil change place will start you out with 4 qts. and then check your fluid level to discover they need another 2 qts. of fluid and then try to bill you for the other 2 qts. in addition to ruining your trans by running it on 2 qts. low on fluid.

I've got a 92 and at about 80K, the torque convertor started slipping. Nothing serious, just more of an annoyance than anything. Hunted it down for over a year thinking it was spark knock (sounds just like it). Tried some Mopar fluid and didn't help anything. I just wonder if the knock sensor is retarding my timing when it feels the convertor chatter and is ruining my mpg?

hey, thanks everybody. i'm going to pick up the buick monday or tuesday. im going to check for that tube to see if its been replaced. is it something i can find pretty easily?

also, is it worth it to convert from r12 refrigerant to r134? i imagine thats not a job you can do yourself.

Before I dropped the trans pan, I used a Liquivac Topsider to pull as much fluid as possible. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_390306_390306

When I dropped the pan, there was very little mess because the Topsider got most of the trans fluid out. I also use the Topsider to remove any excess fluids in case I overfill something, and to remove power steering fluid from the resevoir then refresh it with new fluid.

The trans gasket may be the re-usable type, which is preferrable if it is in good shape.

hey, thanks everybody. i'm going to pick up the buick monday or tuesday. im going to check for that tube to see if its been replaced. is it something i can find pretty easily?

also, is it worth it to convert from r12 refrigerant to r134? i imagine thats not a job you can do yourself.

Yes, it is worth it IF your system leaks. If your system does not leak, then do not bother. If it has cold AC, then leave it alone! Only when all your R-12 leaks out should you worry about converting it. First after a leak is to find the leak and repair it. Then, if you do convert it, you need to at least change the accumulator, orifice tube, and also flush the condensor and evaporator and tubing, and also drain the old oil out of the compressor and add new oil (probably 8 ounces of ester oil total) to both the compressor and to other places around the system (it doesn't matter how much to where really).

After that, you would reassemble the whole system using new o-rings soaked in mineral oil, and assemble the fittings using Nylog (a sealant for threaded fittings). After that you would hook a vacuum pump up and run it for about 4 hours or more to suck out all the air and moisture. Then you would charge the r134 into the system (about 3 1/2-4 12 oz. cans). Done.

As for tools, you need a good manifold gauge set. A vacuum pump can be borrowed from many Auto Zones. Nylog can be bought from Ackits.com (as well as all your other components for your car).

Good luck.