So I know I am not losing my mind because this is the 3rd time...

In follow up to my previous post about oil leaks I decided to clean my engine to rid of the oil that was lingering around. Went to the DIY car wash, let her cool down with hood opened, light soap, then rinse with the high pressure. I paid particular attention as I normally do to not get the "high pressure" on anything obvious or sensitive but was able to successfully clean the engine. I have done this three times, first two were after my DIY tranny flush.

Starts the fun.

So after each of these nice engine washes I let the excess drip, then start the car with hood open and let her run for about ten minutes to further the drying process.

I then get on the highway and here is where the fun starts. Shifting is normal until i hit above 50+ and it comes time for the torque converter to lock. When it locks down a bump/thunk/shutter is heard/felt. Same exists if you give it throttle to unlock the TC, you get the bump/thunk/shutter.

With careful finesse and easing into the throtte at 50+ I can minimize the bump/thunk and in the previous two times this has happened, a long drive with some excessive (by my own accord) lockup engage/disengage anywhere between 50-70 MPH it will slowly diminish.


This happened the previous two engine washes (after tranny fluid change "mess"), and hope it clears up again but I have to ask...why is this happening. It was 100% smooth before the motor wash and it seems logical that water is getting into something or a wire harness? I know there are some solenoids for these, are they internal or external, is it plausabile that water is (obviously) getting into something that shouldnt be?

In the previous two cases, about 3 to 4 days cleared it up, again, hoping third time is a charm, but never had the same in my s70. Tranny fluid is new and clean and at correct level (obviously after my DIY change)

and no, I am not delusional :)