'97 Lesabre Transmission Slow to Move

[Smith1000]

I have a '97 Lesabre with approximately 205,000 miles on it. I have noticed that if I let it sit for a day or two, when I start it up, it is slow to move as if the transmission is slipping. The engine is fine. After about 15 seconds, it will move fine. When driving, it runs great down the road. I am wondering if this is a sign that the transmission could be about ready to go out. It has the original engine and transmission.

It needs the intake manifold and/or the gaskets replaced (again). It is slowly using coolant and I can smell a hint of coolant in the exhaust at start up. I plan to do the job in about a week, but began to hesitate with the transmission slipping some. If the transmission is about to go, I probably won't put much into it.

[HotZ28]

Unfortunally, 205K is ahead of the average trans life anyway, and if this is the only problem you have experienced, you are lucky. What kind of maintenance have you had on this trans? It sounds like you have low line pressure until the fluid warms up. Take it to trans shop for some professional diagnostics. We can only speculate from this end.

[Smith1000]

Thanks. The transmission hasn't really had a whole lot of maintenance. I have changed the filter once and fluid twice. I have run Slick 50 transmission additive and Lucas automatic transmission additive ever since purchasing the car. The valve body slips in the transmission when it is hot out. It has "fishbite." This has been going on for many years--since it had about 75k on it. It has never been worked on though. I have a switch that locks out the tcc when this occurs.

Maybe it will go a while longer. I just drove around and checked the fluid. The fluid looks good and it ran great. I'll have to fix that manifold leak though.