My '88 245 w/ 170k has the transmissin slipping, especially when it's cold, also especially reverse. Can just changing the fluid/filter help? I'm thinking it's too late for that. Any additives get me by for awhile? What would I expect to pay for a used tranny, plus installation? Thanks.

With only 170k there should be life left in the transmission. Try doing a complete tranny flush and fill ,as per the instructions in the 700/900 FAQ, same trans as the in the 200 series.
You may also want to do a search here on ' lacquer thinner'. Some folks have had good results adding a small amount of lacquer thinner to the trans to help bust loose gum and varnish, and then doing a flush and fill after it has been in about 500 miles. Have not tried it myself.
--
Gary Gilliam Sumerduck VA, '94 940 na Regina 150k, '86 240 180k

Pull the dipstick out and check the color of the fluid. If it is reddish in color and doesn't smell burned you might be ok with just a tranny flush. If the fluid is dark and has a distinct burned smell you will probably need a rebuild.


Good luck. Jim

These trannys are so close to indestructible, I think that
IF your tranny is dead-dead-dead, you probably will be best off with a junker swapped in.

Of course you'll want to check out the junker as well as possible, and maybe buy from a mechanic or owner who knowingly junked the car for other known causes.

But, as others have written, I'd do a good tranny flush or maybe two, and see what it will do for you.

I'll try the tranny flush first. The fluid is not real dirty and does not smell burnt, so maybe it will work. Thanks.

The AW boxes are a pretty good box but they are a long way from indestructible. I put in a used one last week that came with all of the assurances from a very good Volvo only bone yard that I have been using for years. Guess what? I ended up doing that one twice to get paid once. Fortunately for all parties involved I drove the car home that night and out to lunch the next day, on the way back from lunch it the 1/2 shift became so hard that it was literally painful to drive. Oh my God that thing hit hard!! I got another one from the same place and it was choice, or should I say no news is good news. The thing that makes a used box a viable alternative in my opinion is 1) they are good boxes and 2)to have yours rebuilt or buy a factory one is 1800.00-2200.00 bucks!!!! A used box goes for 4-5 hundred around here and then you need to go through any of the obvious seals that it is going to need, more money. If you have to pay someone to do it you can end up close to $1000.00 pretty quick and pray that you get a good one. I have been sent no less than 3 bad ones in a row, it actually got so bad that they sent me my money back and told me to go get one somewhere else.

Sophie's advise is very solid and the only thing that I can add to it is to buy yourself a can of what we in the business refer to as "cooler douche". It comes in an aerosol can and has a hose on it, with both of the cooler lines disconnected hook up the hose and pressurerize the cooler. The school of thought is that when atf gets hot enough it will actually gel and clog the cooler with gel and metal particles. I have see trannies on domestic cars roasted over this stunt. The stuff is around 15.00 per can and is worth it.

Mark

What?!?

Sorry it if was over your head.

Mark