Want to buy a 1994 Plymouth Voyager 3.0L with a bad transmission, couple of questions

[WaOnFiRe]

Hello all,

this is my first post here.

I found a 1994 Plymouth Voyager with a 3.0L engine and a 3 speeds automatic transmission. It's been owned by an old lady since new. It has approximataly 85 000 miles on the odometer. The van is super clean, with all original paperwork and invoices from dealers/mechanics. The engine seem to run awesome with no oil dripping by gasket and stuff like that. The only problem is the transmission is supposedly bad. They had it checked at the dealer, something on one side in the front was removed to check it out (I dont know what it is, I'm no mechanic). An axle maybe?

Now I've read and heard from some people that I may be able to fix it only by changing the transmission's fluid with ATF 4 and changing the filter? Is it true? Is it hard to do myself?

I didn't buy the minivan yet, I'm gathering some infos about this first. In the worst scenario, I'll have the transmission rebuilt because all the ones from the junk yards probably will fail fast too right? If I could save a little $$ that would be great.

Is their's anything else to watch for on these models?

Thanks a lot!

PS: Sorry for my bad english, I speak french normally.

JF

[tempfixit]

Welcome to AF.

Can you buy it cheap enough to do repairs?? Not sure but I am thinking that the spider gear retaining pin came loose and created a hole in the transaxle housing or a differential bearing is faulty and has affected the housing beyond repair.

Can you call the dealer and find out what the problem with the transaxle is??? This would help you determine repairs that need to be done.

As for the 3.0, that is low mileage and would be worth a few dollars to fix and drive.

Just my opinion.

[WaOnFiRe]

I can buy it as is for 500$ canadian, so that's about 395$ US with the actual exchange rate.

I'm not sure the dealer could tell me they had it checked like 3 months ago...

I only know the piece they removed to check it out is in the van right now in a plastic baggie. It's like a long rod with rubber boots on it or something.

I dont know the name of this in english...

[tempfixit]

From what you describe that is called a cv axle halfshaft. Would you have a digital camera that you could take a picture of the piece and post it. Are the rubber boots on the shaft torn or does the shaft show any signs of wear where it went into the transaxle? (The end that does not have any threads on goes into the transaxle)

Look at the sticky thread named Online Service manuals and follow directions and this will help you understand a little more of the parts in question. You can also google autozone.com which will have the parts with some pictures and also a repair manual.

Do you know anyone that could possibly look at the vehicle for you and give you some advise??

Hope I am being helpful to you, we will help in any way we can.

[WaOnFiRe]

The old lady only told me they removed this to take a look and they told her after it was the transmission that was bad. But she didn't tell me anything like what it did when it went" bad". I dont think I could take pics unless I get the keys from her. But at this price, I guess even if I had the transmission rebuilt, it's well worth the cash right? I'll shell the 500$ and when it'll be in my possession I'll take all the pics you want.

[tempfixit]

Personally I would try to get it cheaper than that, but that is your call. I recommend doing some more research, meaning check into how much a used tranny will cost (I am thinking the transmission housing is unrepairable by the details you have given us, but I could be mistaken) plus the removal and installation costs so you know how much vehicle will acutally cost you, unless you are going to do the repairs yourself, if so get a Haynes service manual for the vehicle.

The 3.0 engines do have a timing belt that needs to be replaced periodically but I don't remember the recommended mileage intervals.

[WaOnFiRe]

I tried to get it cheaper already but they doesn't seem to want to budge at all... But after seeing it, I understand them, they did take care of it really well. I'll take a chance, I'll have the trans rebuild anyway in the worst case. Used transmissions will probably do the same so I'll do it right the first time around.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by WaOnFiRe

I tried to get it cheaper already but they doesn't seem to want to budge at all... But after seeing it, I understand them, they did take care of it really well. I'll take a chance, I'll have the trans rebuild anyway in the worst case. Used transmissions will probably do the same so I'll do it right the first time around.

Good Luck and keep us posted

[WaOnFiRe]

I did a couple of calls today and I'll buy a rebuilt transmission for the Voyager. The guy said he also fix the problem with these transmission so it will last longer and warranty it for 3 months. The rebuild transmission is about 600$ US dollar. I called a place where they can install it for 250$.

I'll provide the oil that go in the transmission. The guy said to use Dexron III but I read on the net these transmission doesn't like it right? So what's the recommended transmission oil for a 1994 Plymouth Voyager, 3.0L, 3 speeds auto tranny? ATF3? ATF4? Something else?

[napa counterman]

Definitly ATF3 or ATF4.

[tempfixit]

I would use the ATF+4 fluid.

Does the rebuilt tranny include a rebuilt torque convertor?

Also whomever installs the tranny needs to flush the transmission oil cooler in the radiator or by pass it and install a new aftermarket oil cooler.

[WaOnFiRe]

I finally got the rebuilt transmission installed yesterday in the Voyager and the oil cooler is supposed to have been flushed. It's also supposed to have a rebuild torque convertor in it. I provided the oil and it was Castrol ATF+4.

But I think I've got some problems with it and wondering what's wrong or if it will fix itself up by using it more...

Here's the story:

yesterday I took possession of the Voyager and they said that they took it for a test drive with no problems and looked at it after with no oil dripping anywhere and everything should be in order.

But when I stopped at a light and wanted to take off when green, it look like I was in 2 or 3, I had to give it lot of gas to move on and finally move decently. I doesn't have a RPM cluster so I doesn't know if it's slipping or in 2 or 3...

When I put it in first with the lever it goes off in first no problem. If it's in park and I put it on D it seem to start in 1 take off normally. Look like as soon as it's been in 2 or 3rd, it cant go back by itself in first.

Is it because it's new and it will adjust itself? Does it take a certain time to make everything set in place?

Let me know people.

The Voyager cost me 1700$ canadian so far I'm begining to worry...

[jpb53]

Sounds like the governor is sticking. You paid to have it fixed take it back to them and have them recheck it. The governor is accessible without removing the trans from the van.

[WaOnFiRe]

Should I take it to the guy that rebuilt the transmission or the place where it's been installed? I doesn't want to pay anymore for it so I guess it's the fault of the trans guy right?

[jpb53]

Rebuilder would be responsible for internal problems.