Auto trans question

[karnovking]

I've just bought a 98 olds cutlass, I put it in reverse and backed up, when I put it in drive the car would not move in any gear unless I raced the engine. When the engine was raced it would only creep.

Someone told me to add a pint of ATF, that it might be low, but on these cars, there is no way to check the fluid level.

Anyway, I added it and everything has been okay so far (10 miles)

I hope this has taken care of the problem, but I am not so sure.

Does anyone have any thoughts of what another cause could be?

[curtis73]

It could be low fluid, but every GM I know has a dipstick. Wonder why yours doesn't?

It could be a sign that the clutches are worn out which would require a rebuild, but if adding a pint truly fixes the problem, then don't worry about it. If adding fluid doesn't fix the probmlem, its most likely time for a rebuild.

[karnovking]

No dipstick on the malibu and cutlass. The fluid is supposed to "never need changing" according to the owners manual. It only has a fill cap. I guess it gets you back in to buy another car sooner when the trans dies. Or sets you up for a huge service bill.
I also recently learned there is a plug to check the level of the fluid, but it is easily overlooked if you don't know it is there. so for the average joe looking to check his fluid level, he would be out of luck.

anyway I bought a gasket and pan filter. hopefully i'll be lucky and the fluid is leaking out from the gasket since the pan is wet.

[corning_d3]

I serviced a malibu with no dipstick. Apparently, the fluid and filter are good for the life of the transmission, which happens to be around 150,000 miles, according to GM..

[karnovking]

hopefully I can extend the life to 200K and beyond!

[corning_d3]

Better change the fluid and filter now then..

[karnovking]

I did. The thing was a bit over 3 quarts low. I took out about 4.75 and it took 8 to get it to the check plug.

I really notice a difference in how the car drives now.

its going to need a new axle seal though.

[corning_d3]

But they are fairly cheap($40'ish for both sides).. Remember to spread some non-hardening sealant or silicone around the outer edges of the new seal where it mates with the transmission case.

[karnovking]

I don't think i'm up for the job of taking the axle off though. I'm sure I could do it, but I don't know if I want to risk having to have the thing towed somewhere because I could not get back together what I took apart.