You know those magical engine elixers... While I'm looking for a FWD trans replacement in my OTHER car, what product really works best at fixing a slipping trans problem?
I was curious since a debate erupted over special additives and it seems I've been told different things over the years but we still wound up buying products like Slick 50 I don't think even got used, but the newer system like V Max still holds interest, I've been tempted in trying it. I think most of these products require you keep using them though, in place of the traditionally used oils, etc.

I've also not bothered paying premiums for Mobil1 or other synthetics, but still some people swear by them... I'd like contributing opinions to see if you guys have depending on any of these and seen real world results
Bill

 

The panacea your looking for is money!

 

You've seen the ads on Vmax, does this stuff work as an intermediate fix. It should already be obvious component damage can likely not be fixed by a chemical solution, but there are all kinds of radiator stop leaks solutions and the like that I have no doubt offer some sort of benefit. The need for a cheap fix is still useful because anything can happen while you are enroute somewhere and you can't just up and buy a new car when that happens. I know first hand, and it wasn't fun at all
Bill

 

I have used sea foam on slipping trans before, and got it to stop slipping for about a month. Then it came apart. Bigtime.

 

How so? Due to the fluid, or the problem itself?
Mine was working fairly well when I got the car, then I had to drive the auto in 2nd gear for a time, then that went. What still works good are the low gears but getting the car over 30MPH is a challenge
Bill

 

sounds like your tranny is gone Bill. losing all the forward gears over time & now being down to just first gear, it probably has dead clutches in it. you probably are down to nothing but the metal part the friction material is bonded to. it probably has damaged the drums by now also.

i have seen some stuff called Trans-X by K&W bring badly slipping transmissions back for a time, but they weren't completely smoked & would still pull some in all gears.

i know a guy who dumped some brake fluid in the trans on his old ford van after it quit pulling in first & second gear & then drove it for about 2 more weeks without a hint of slipping. when it started to slip again he dumped in some more & went & traded it in.

the only additive i put in my trans is lubeguard.

 

Since my plate was impounded, I haven't been drving the Cad, but it is winter too so keeping salt off is an added plus. I haven't lost all the gears, but I do need to play with the accelerator pedal when trying to get above 30MPH. I'm shopping for a Trans at under $300, but doesn't seem likely.
I also have to add any shipping and install labor to that. A Rebuild on this is est. at $1,800. that's much more then the cost of the car at $520. I also need to address a bad front bumper, headliner and rust/dents on both rear doors. Other then that, maybe new struts/shocks at some point, but the car is in very nice condition being an '88.

As for my Firebird, I'm looking at the suggestion of rubber valve cover gaskets right now, but was told last night they are very hard to 'seat' and work the best if this is done right. After yesterday it appears my leaking gasket is the left front side of the manifold between the valve cover and the intake manifold.

 

Those rubber valve cover gaskets that come in the felpro kit are easy to install.

 

I know Lucas has some transmission stop-slip. I'm going to pick something up for my girlfriends car and go and try to trade it in to a dealership somewhere. It wouldn't shift out of 1st gear for a while and wouldn't go in reverse, but after some more abuse, it now goes in reverse and forward in all gears, though slipping a bit between some and hard shifting between others. I figure a little fixing fluid should hide it for a while to trade it in to try and get $500 or so out of it ('91 Ford Probe with 70k miles). She already got $700 out of a small dent on the side, so it won't be too bad to let it go for $500 or so.

 

I've tried this... waste of money.

ME Leigh hit the nail on the head I'm afraid.

 

That brand was debated here last weekend as I recall. I'm looking for a tranny everyday though it'll be a month or so before I can buy one. Thanks for indulging me off topic on this... I think the problem is fairly universal
-B

 

I also have had good luck with lucas.