NC928S4

My Auto 89 S4 has issues first starting out when cold. Brakes require much more effort to stop but still work especially when backing out of the garage. Transmission slips for 1-2 seconds when going from 3rd to 4th until she warms up. Manual shifts from 2nd to 3rd buck hard even under full throttle. Actually all shifts seem sluggish/delayed/sloppy until operating temp reaches equilibrium. Once she's been running for 20+ minutes all is good.

Being a first time Shark owner I would like some advice as to what I should investigate or replace. Cheers to the collective brain!

the flyin' scotsman

do you know the last time the auto tranny fluid was checked and/or replaced?

NC928S4

Yes, last week. Had the same issues before the change but was hopeful. No surprises during the filter and fluid change. Fluid smelled fine but had probably never been changed(105K miles) and no metal flakes or pieces in the pan.

the flyin' scotsman

ok........so the fluid, filter and gasket were replaced?

how was the level checked?

NC928S4

Yes, Fluid, filter and gasket were replaced. Serving as an apprentice(I asked many questions and swept shop floor) while the dude in charge, RayM went through all gears and while I refilled the reservoir multiple times. We actually had a gasket alignment problem the first installation attempt because we could not remove the plastic reservoir tank to bracket assembly because of stripped screws. This prevented a "good look" when reinstalling the pan. Very fun, everything looked great until fluid level hit gasket level. Then it was a drain and repeat effort. Nothing major but it was very tough to get a good visual that the gasket was aligned and actually in place. The root of the problem was that the gasket had been folded and had memory of the fold rather than wanting to sit correctly in the pan.

Thanks

IcemanG17

assuming your fresh fluid is full (easy to tell on side of trans) it does sound like you have SERIOUS problems....I also find it odd that once it warms up the issues go away....since it does sound like low fluid or old fluid....

If the fluid was as old as you said it will take some time to clean out all the gunk inside the trans....I would take a long drive with frequent gear changes and change the fluid-filter again...in maybe 2000miles...

the flyin' scotsman

Lets make absolutely sure...........the car has to be level, the fluid warm, the engine running and the level should be between the upper 2 marks on the plastic reservoir.

If this is correct I'd follow Brians advice.

NC928S4

Thanks. The car was level and warm. I have been shifting and that seems to have been changing the behavior. So nobody thinks there might be some kind of vacuum line or higher than normal pressure issue?

Larry