94 SE Coupe 3.1L Temp Issues vs. Transaxle

I recently re-acquired the referenced GP I bought for my daughter almost 2 years ago. After about 40,000 miles in a year, and very little if no preventative maintenance on this car, I am trying to restore her with little money (recently laid off), little physical strength (yep I'm a girl) and kid gloves.

Currently at 201K miles, car gets warm at stops, and cools back down when in motion. Oil does not look milky (but I have it changed every 5K). Overflow tank stays consistant level, little dark build up on inside around fluid level, but coolant is still visibly green. I know the intake gaskets need to be replaced, as well as all the others while it is apart, just an oz. of prevention & the upcoming TX summer.

I am having transaxle issues as well. While driving, the car runs and shifts like a top, always. But I have the 'can't shift out of park' issue occasionally, only when it is out of park, it sometimes will not "catch" PND until warm. I am going to attempt to adjust the cable, however I have noticed oil on the actual shifter column in the cab. I planned to remove the console for cleaning/repair purposes.

I know these are my 2 priorities, just need opinion on which to tackle (invest in) first.

Thanks!

Please HELP!!

the 3.1 will get hot at stops, temp climbing to about 215 before the fan kicks in. run it at idle in the driveway after warming it up with a short drive and with the hood up watch the temp guage and see when the fan cuts in to see if you really have a problem.

not real sure about the transaxle, sounds like slippage if it only happens when cold. when was the tranny last serviced? you might get luckey by changing the fluid and filter but don't flush a tranny that old.

Checked the fan, cuts on at exactly 215 and cools back down. Thanks!

Not sure if the trans has ever been serviced, which is why I have put it off. It is best to just drain and refill, not flush, correct? Do I have them change the filter, or just clean it?

Thanks for your input, I certainly have recieved a ton of valuable info from this forum!

Checked the fan, cuts on at exactly 215 and cools back down. Thanks!

Not sure if the trans has ever been serviced, which is why I have put it off. It is best to just drain and refill, not flush, correct? Do I have them change the filter, or just clean it?

Thanks for your input, I certainly have recieved a ton of valuable info from this forum!

just a fluid and filter change, your fluid will be 75% refreshed without knocking any crud loose that could cause problems. and just to show them you mean business, bring your own filter and save a few bucks.

your trans should have a thick rubber gasket, don't throw it away its reusable. That's the best gasket you can get. You can pop the filter out with a flat blade screwdriver (using it as a pry bar) just don't bent the thermo valve under the filter. And don't worry about the filter seal in the transmission case as long as it holds the filter in place and does not have any chunks out of the rubber its good. Also have 8 qts of Dex III around for the service.

I'm sure thier $9.95 special won't cover the Dex III!! I'll bring everything with. THANKS! What are thoughts on the grease/oil coming through on the shifter & console? I've seen a couple of seals that look as though they may be the culprit, but I am in unfamiliar territory with this one.

I'm sure thier $9.95 special won't cover the Dex III!! I'll bring everything with. THANKS! What are thoughts on the grease/oil coming through on the shifter & console? I've seen a couple of seals that look as though they may be the culprit, but I am in unfamiliar territory with this one.

sorry, cant help you with the console problem, mines a four door with a sofa up front and the shifter on the tree. no console or shifter here to get between me and my honey. but really, the shifter should be a mechanical connection. mines a cable. probably not the source of your problem unless someone over lubed it at one time.

Got the tran fluid drained and filled with a new filter same gasket. Detent is good while shifting PRND. Thanks for the comments and Assistance!

After cleaning the motor, found the oil leak is at the valve cover gasket. Very slow leak, never have to add more than maybe 1/2 qt between changes. Should I replace the gasket, or would tearing apart at that level possibly cause more problems?

Thanks everyone!

After cleaning the motor, found the oil leak is at the valve cover gasket. Very slow leak, never have to add more than maybe 1/2 qt between changes. Should I replace the gasket, or would tearing apart at that level possibly cause more problems?
Thanks everyone!

LOL, with over 200k you're worried about a 1/2 quart oil loss between changes? My 3.1 looses 1/2 quart every 5k and i don't even bother to top it off since that's well within the saftey range and I drive mine hard. In the last two weeks I put on 2.4k of long distance and four or five days of stop and go commuting. More importantly, check the oil regulary for foaming and check the coolant level at the raditor, when cool, for intake gasket leaks, a real problem on these engines.

Okay, okay! Not being anal, just trying to preserve the blood sweat & tears put into it! Thanks to everyone for the help!