84 245Ti/AW-71 250k miles

About to try an experiment... replace the o-rings on the transmission accumulator pistons, because gear selection is very "soft" when trans is cold. For example, it takes a few seconds to engage reverse first time in the morning. After it warms up, all shifts are firm.

I deduce that pressure is leaking around the accumulator piston o-rings when stone cold -- and heat expansion solves the issue after warm up.

I am not an automatic transmisison expert but I have done lots of 240 repair including previous valve body service (1-2 shift/ball valve repair).

Am I on the right track? And I wonder where I can acquire the new o-rings...

Thanks

Robert

Failure at the accumulators would cause a HARD shift. After 22 years, it is very likely that the clutch piston seals are no longer pliable and cannot seal until the piston itself expands enough to close the leakage around them. Or teflon slip rings that transfer pressurized fluid from the stator to rotating parts may have worn to the end of their life. A reseal is in order - the condition of friction plates is only a guess until the unit is disassembled. They may still be usable.

Before you put one penny into repairing it - there are zillions of good AWs around for a reasonable cost. Ebay or Brickboard classifieds. AW-70; non-turbo , AW-71; turbo and a slight variant of it with V-6, AW-72L; B234 16 valve

Thanks for the insight!

there may be zillions but a sevicable 240 turbo AW-71 still eludes me. have seen a couple 740/B230FT AW-71 in the salvage yards... detractors are the necessity to swap out tailshaft assembly and even then, it's a chance finding one in good condition.

I am told that AW-70/AW-70L and AW-71L are not good options for an interchange.

I'll keep looking

Thanks again

Robert

Hi Robert,
For what it's worth I put an AW71 from a '90 740 turbo in my '84 240 turbo, and the tailshaft housing swap only added about 10 minutes to the job. Flange nut comes off, yank the flange out, unbolt the housing, slide that off. You'll slide a spacer off the tailshaft of the new tranny, slide your speedo drive gear off the old one and drop it on the new one. Reassemble. You'll want to use whichever flange has less of a groove from the seal. The only complication is if the gasket sticks and tears apart, necessitating careful scraping and cleanup. Fortunately my replacement appeared to have a new gasket already, installed without any messy sealant. BTW - have you tried a flush and fresh fluid yet? Many claim to have experienced near-miracles from simply doing that - I can't count myself among the lucky ones, but it's worth a try first.
--
Chris, Dartmouth NS Canada 70 M-B 280SE, 83 245DL, 84 244 turbo, 90 780 turbo, 92 VW Golf, 90 740 Rex/Regina

Toyota RWD Corona/Crown tranny is a basic AW71 made by Aisan Warner. Rebuild kit is same stuff as Volvo AW71.

My transmission was performing the same way. The transmission shop said the torque converter was the problem, and had ruined the transmission. Don't forget to look at the TC.

thanks for the insight! although I don't quite understand how bad TC would ruin the transmission.

Robert