Sea Foam Trans Tune

[markqc]

Someone here posted using the Sea Foam Trans Tune to help with the hard shifting issue. (Sorry, I can't find the post)

I would like to know how the "fix" is holding out and if this product can be left in the transmission.

How much will an external transmission cooler help with this problem?

Thanks,
Mark

[Monty66]

Not the person who tried sea foam, but here is what I know. I had a 99 Montana that started shifting hard and my mom's 2000 Lumina had the same problem.

In both cases it required replacing what my trans guy called the force motor which (i believe) is like the trans fluid pressure regulator. Also they had to replace the shift solenoids. I think he told me if a solenoid hangs up then the regulator jacks up the pressure to compensate and it causes it to shift real hard. In the case of my Montana it also took out the torque converter.

If you don't wait too long it can be fixed without a complete overhaul.

I would have a trans shop look at it. The guy I deal with just plugged in his scanner and he knew what was wrong.

hope this helps. tom

[toddman67]

I'd use caution with the use of seafoam. It seems as of lately, all the post's where this "miracle juice" has been used, has created even bigger problems.
If these Elixers were so great, everyone would be using them. I don't believe in them. Good old basic repairs seem to be the way to go.
Just my opinion.

[markqc]

Thanks for your replies. I have changes the fluid/filter twice now. Once at 60KM and once at 120km. I have experienced the hard shift two times now. Once before the last fluid change and once after (the last time was after being stuck in stop and go traffic for a while and the engine temp gage was at 3/4. I have since been stuck in the stop and go traffic with the seafoam additive and have not noticed the problem yet, more time is needed).
The stored code was for the PCS (1811? I can't remember the number) I have heard that an external trans cooler will help keep the transmission cool enough to help with the problem. What are your thoughts about the extra cooler?
Thanks,
Mark

[toddman67]

Absolutely. An additional trans cooler is always good.

[base1hits]

Well, I didn't post the original note on Sea Foam, but I read about it. So, I did use Sea Foam per directions on my 2000 Venture with 128k miles. The transmission was shifting hard, especially when hot. I poured in half a can, drove for several miles until hot, shifted through all gears including reverse, then drained/cleaned/changed tranny fluid and filter. The Sea Foam MAY have decreased the hard shifting somewhat but it was still not eliminated. It did, however, remove lots of gunk from the transmission when I cleaned it out. I then ordered and installed the ZZ performance shift kit to adjust the shift points from 1-2 and 2-3. This has made a major difference, and the tranny has worked well for for 3K miles now, no hard shifting even when hot. My tranny was in pretty good shape to start with, so I hope the shift kit will take care of it. I would recommend using the Sea Foam only to clean out the tranny, and then install the kit IF your tranny is still working but only with occasional hard shifts. So far so good for me.

[Wr_guy]

Originally Posted by markqc

Thanks for your replies. I have changes the fluid/filter twice now. Once at 60KM and once at 120km. I have experienced the hard shift two times now. Once before the last fluid change and once after (the last time was after being stuck in stop and go traffic for a while and the engine temp gage was at 3/4. I have since been stuck in the stop and go traffic with the seafoam additive and have not noticed the problem yet, more time is needed).
The stored code was for the PCS (1811? I can't remember the number) I have heard that an external trans cooler will help keep the transmission cool enough to help with the problem. What are your thoughts about the extra cooler?
Thanks,
Mark

I have also changed my fluid and filter twice.

Both times I have been greeted with some hard shifting RIGHT AFTER I changed the fluid. After a while it has gone away.... both times.

I have 120k on the van and other than that the tranny has been perfect.

I think the tranny needs to be reflashed after a fluid change.

[MT-2500]

Sea foam was made to be a gasoline stablizer.
On a transmission.
No dope is the only good dope.
The only good thing for a transmision is good clean filter and the right type fluid.
Putting any other crap in there can led to a transmission wipe out.

[markqc]

Sea foam was made to be a gasoline stablizer.
On a transmission.
No dope is the only good dope.
The only good thing for a transmision is good clean filter and the right type fluid.
Putting any other crap in there can led to a transmission wipe out.



Perhaps I am not understanding your response completely. The SeaFoam product I am referring to (Trans Tune) is intended for transmissions, not gasoline.

I do aggree completely, I would rather not put any additive in, and I do have the fluid/filter/gasket changed regularly (so far every 60km, I believe this should be adequate) I read on this forum that this specific product has helped with the hard shift problem and was hoping to get other opinions on the product and solutions to the hard shift issue.

Thanks,
Mark

[MT-2500]

It may say transmission tune but it is still dope.

No dope is the best dope for a good transmission.

[markqc]

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult here, but what do you mean by "dope". I always thought of dope as something with a thicker consistency used to stop a leak as is used in propane/natural gas fitting applications etc. (Pipe Dope) The consistency/viscosity of this Trans Tune is very similar to transmission fluid, and not as thick as antifreeze coolant.

Mark

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by markqc

Sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult here, but what do you mean by "dope". I always thought of dope as something with a thicker consistency used to stop a leak as is used in propane/natural gas fitting applications etc. (Pipe Dope) The consistency/viscosity of this Trans Tune is very similar to transmission fluid, and not as thick as antifreeze coolant.

Mark

Transmission dope is so called snake oil in a bottle that is claimed to fix all on a transmission.
Dope comes in all forms.

There is no good dope/additive for a good transmission.
The only exception is Lube-Gard for a friction modifyer and extra lube.

Some dope may prolong the life of a worn out transmission but no dope is good for a good transmission.

[markqc]

Transmission dope is so called snake oil in a bottle that is claimed to fix all on a transmission.
Dope comes in all forms.



Ok, I now understand your meaning of "dope". Seafoam does not really claim to fix anything, but rather help to remove moisture and help to clean varnish deposits which supposedly can help reduce the hard shifting.

All seems okay for now so I think I may add an external rad to help keep the temps down as from what I have read, heat seems to be a common cause of the hard shift problem. I don't have enough history yet on my vehicle (only 2 times did I notice the hard shift and the engine temp had gone to 3/4), but an external rad can't hurt.

Anyone else have input?
Thanks,
Mark

[kevlyn36]

I have had the same problem with my 2002 Intrepid giving a P1776 error. The engine light would come up, and then the tranny would downshift to granny gear. I blew out the radiator, checked the linkage. Someone told me that it was because the trans was slipping. I changed the fluid, that didn't help. I added Slick 50, and that didn't help. But I finally tried SeaFoam. I am very weary about adding anything to Chrysler transmissions. It doesn't help with leaks, but it does clean out the varnish from the control solenoid. (the next step would have been to replace that. ) After I added the Sea foam, I took out the 2 fuses to reset the engine light.
So far, the trans seems to be working ok. I do need to change fluid soon since the fluid is turning a darker color. I don't know if it will help everyone but it sure is cheaper than the solenoid.

[SilverOLDS]

Originally Posted by base1hits

Well, I didn't post the original note on Sea Foam, but I read about it. So, I did use Sea Foam per directions on my 2000 Venture with 128k miles. The transmission was shifting hard, especially when hot. I poured in half a can, drove for several miles until hot, shifted through all gears including reverse, then drained/cleaned/changed tranny fluid and filter. The Sea Foam MAY have decreased the hard shifting somewhat but it was still not eliminated. It did, however, remove lots of gunk from the transmission when I cleaned it out. I then ordered and installed the ZZ performance shift kit to adjust the shift points from 1-2 and 2-3. This has made a major difference, and the tranny has worked well for for 3K miles now, no hard shifting even when hot. My tranny was in pretty good shape to start with, so I hope the shift kit will take care of it. I would recommend using the Sea Foam only to clean out the tranny, and then install the kit IF your tranny is still working but only with occasional hard shifts. So far so good for me.

I had the same hard shifting issues. Did exactly as above and all the hard shifting has gone. I used the Transco shift kit. The only issue is that the tranmission still has a whine to it in 1st and 2nd gears.