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automatic trans blows fluid

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 3:49 pm
by rd4man
Need some tech help. I have an '89 BII automatic trans with overdrive. When ever I attempt to pull my small aluminum bass boat( about 1500 lbs) I blow trans fluid big time. After cleaning up the mess I can't find where or why the fluid leak. It doesn't leak any other time and it doesn't seem to work too hard pulling the boat. I really like this little truck and it is in super shape, but I would like to use it to pull my boat to the lake, it's only about 100 miles and no really hard pulls. My local mechanics can't find where or why it is blowing fluid so I am asking for some input.

Re: automatic trans blows fluid

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 3:53 pm
by Ranger Dave
i would ad a extrenal trans cooler. sounds like its runnin hot when pullin the boat. dont run it in OD pulling the boat

Re: automatic trans blows fluid

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:43 pm
by tekatlarge
Ranger Dave is correct.

Pulling anything in overdrive with the A4LD is NOT recommended!!!!!!


Add a trans cooler right away as the trans cooling is marginal at best and will get hot real quick. The Fluid expands and the next thing is the fluid boils and is Puked out :puke: through the dipstick tube. Sometimes the pressure gets so great that the front seal gets blown right out of the trans case there behind the torque converter. :mad2:

Add a trans cooler, change out the fluid if it has been overheated. When trans fluid is boiled it looses a lot of the lubricity and actually chemically changes. Bad Fluid, Dirt, overheating and slippage will kill the A4LD.

Re: automatic trans blows fluid

Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 7:46 am
by rd4man
Thanks guys. It has an external cooler, it appears to be a factory unit because of the mounting brackets.

I have changed the fluid, will try pulling trailer not using overdrive and get back to ya, thanks again.

O, bye the way I got the larger throttle body and yes it helps, now if someone needs one off of an '89 I got one.