Transmission Flush

Archive for September, 2010

April 23rd, 2010 2:27 pm MT
Doug’s Performance Transmission
With the summer months approaching, many families are planning road trips. To have an enjoyable worry-free road trip be sure to have your vehicles checked by reliable mechanics. One of the East Valley’s best kept secrets is the excellent service provided at Doug’s Performance Transmission in Apache Junction.

While planning for a recent road trip from Mesa Arizona to Silverdale Washington, the mechanics changed the oil, checked fluids, brakes and performed a tire rotation. One of the mechanics also noticed that the vehicle needed new wheel bearings. After a short wait the wheel bearings where replaced and the vehicle was on the road again.
Having been a valued customer at Doug’s Performance Transmission for many years, my vehicle has continued to be maintained at high performance standards. Many services have been performed on my vehicle through the years, such as: radiator replacements, tire services, brake replacements and transmission repair and servicing.
Doug Hare SR also operates a second local business called Addictive Desert Designs, 1491 S. Conestoga Rd. Doug and his team of experts also specialize in diesel and truck upgrades.

Doug Hare SR., owner, Doug JR, Darren and Lance are well trained, experienced mechanics who provide top of the line service in a timely manner. They are friendly, knowledgeable and very informative while explaining diagnostics. The shop is located on Meridian Road in Apache Junction. Although the location may be a bit remote, the shop provides three bays with the most up-to-date equipment. Vehicles left overnight are secured behind locked gates. By having a thorough service done to any vehicle, family road trips can be filled with enjoyable memories.

Some helpful tips to remember:

1. Change oil and filter, especially prior to long road trip

2. Check all fluid levels and ensure good quality of coolant

3. Ensure good tire tread and proper tire pressure and good spare tire – be sure all equipment for changing tire is in vehicle

4. Be sure all brakes are in good working order

5. Check status of vehicle battery

6. It’s also a good idea to carry an extra gallon of water for the vehicle
A recent 1600 mile road trip from Arizona, through California and Oregon to Washington State was a big success, thanks to the mechanics at Doug’s Performance Transmission. Be sure to stop and talk to the team prior to any road trips in your summer plans. You too, can travel through hot deserts, snow covered mountains and green grasslands with peace of mind.

You may have seen one zipping past you in the high occupancy lane, a lone driver at the wheel. It’s a gasoline-electric hybrid car and driving in the HOV lane is just one of the benefits of ownership in many states. But what is a hybrid? How does it work? Is it the right car for you and your family?

A hybrid car has a both a gasoline engine and a battery. The battery is recharged by energy from the gasoline engine that would normally be lost during braking or decelerating. The car uses either the battery or the gasoline engine depending on several factors including how fast the car is traveling. Sometimes, both will work together to provide an extra boost of power without using too much extra fuel.

The result of this technology is cars that get significantly better gas mileage and produce less carbon dioxide emissions that traditional gasoline powered cars. For example, according to Honda, the 2006 Civic Hybrid gets 50 miles to the gallon on the highway, 14 miles to the gallon better than the 2003 regular Civic. When driven the national average of 12,000 miles, that represents a savings of 69 gallons of gas and 258 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

In the early days of hybrid cars, there were few models to choose from. People desiring to purchase a hybrid car were stuck in tiny cars with little cargo space. Today, however, manufacturers produce hybrid cars and light trucks in nearly every category including family-sized sedans, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The smallest cars still get the best gas mileage, but larger hybrids consistently outperform their regular siblings in gas mileage and carbon dioxide emissions.

Unfortunately, hybrid cars cost more than regular models. In the case of the 2006 Honda Civic, the hybrid model costs almost $7,000 more than the regular model. Congress passed a law providing tax credits for hybrid car owners that took effect on January 1, 2006 that would save the buyer of a 2006 Civic Hybrid $2,100. It would take several years to break even on the purchase of a hybrid counting gasoline savings alone. However, many hybrid owners are as dedicated to the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid as they are to the money they save.

One of the fears when hybrid cars first became available was that maintenance and insurance costs would be prohibitive. Research has shown that regular maintenance costs for hybrid vehicles are no higher than for regular vehicles. Additionally, hybrid car owners are less likely to be involved in accidents and some insurance companies have begun offering discounts to hybrid car owners.

Many vehicle owners make the mistake of automatically assuming they need remanufactured Volvo transmissions. Simply by educating yourself about the basics of this drive part and following a few simple steps to identify basic problems, you can essentially save thousands of dollars. You eliminate extra mechanics bills and have less down time.

Tranny Basics

Any brand of tranny involves three main components. The outside metal casing that contains all the intricate inner workings is the bell housing. The second is the gearing that drives the machine. This involves a large set of gears called ‘primaries’ and a second set of gears referred to as the ‘planetaries.’ They allow the vehicle to change directions and dictate the amount of force behind the drive. If anything goes wrong with either of these systems, a rebuilt part is often the only solution.

The third component is the area where most minor problems occur. The fluid system keeps all of the drive’s insides lubricated so it can function smoothly. Without it, metal grinds metal and things stop working quickly. Besides a fluid check system, this involves a series of hoses and a filter that prevents debris and water from entering the system.

Identifying Simple Breakdowns

As previously stated, most simple drive problems involve the fluid system. The first step is to check the level of fluid remaining in the system. If it is low or empty, you will need to determine where it is going. Some of the common areas for leaks include the filler tube connection, speed sensor, connections between the tranny and motor, and the drain underneath. If no leaks are detected, examine the radiator coolant. If the fluid is there, you will notice the coolant level is higher than normal or you will visibly see a contaminant in it. Finally, don’t forget to check and replace the filter. If the problem clears up, you know you found the problem.

When Are Remanufactured Volvo Transmissions Necessary?

If you have noticed a metallic grinding sound, loud banging, a refusal to shift into gear, stay in gear, and/or feel lunging, it may be time to consider remanufactured Volvo transmissions. This happens commonly if you fail to find a leak in time or if you couldn’t find anything wrong with the fluid system. The insides of these parts require specialized knowledge and tools so it is best to make your next step a trip to see an expert. He or she will determine the problem and recommend a solution. Purchasing a rebuilt replacement is a considerable repair, but remanned trannies are often guaranteed.

Taking the time to eliminate basic problems eliminates the hassle of spending additional money needlessly on vehicle repairs. The insides are an intricate and complicated mass of systems, but the outside isn’t as bad as you may think. If it is time to consider remanufactured Volvo transmissions, purchase one from an experienced dealer with a solid reputation to ensure you get one that is of good quality. In most cases, a rebuilt tranny is just as good if not better than the original version. This makes the money more easily spent.

Your transmission’s job is to send power generated by your engine’s 4-stroke combustion process to the wheels. It accomplishes this while keeping the engine operating within a certain range of RPMs to maximize performance and efficiency. After tens of thousands of miles, your tranny will begin to display signs of wear. One of the symptoms involves slippage.

A slipping transmission is one that hesitates before engaging the right gear for a given set of driving circumstances. This hesitation may only last a second or less, but is obvious to the driver. It will worsen with time. If the slippage is left unaddressed, the underlying problem can potentially lead to expensive repairs or worse, an overhaul.

Below, we’ll take a look at some of the possible reasons your tranny may be slipping. I’ll describe how low fluid levels, worn parts, and a failing torque converter can each play a role.

Low Fluid Level

Your transmission needs a constant supply of fluid in the same way your engine needs oil. The fluid lubricates the moving parts (i.e. gears, clutches, etc.) and prevents unnecessary friction. It also helps to ensure your tranny can find the appropriate gears quickly and seamlessly. The problem is, fluid can leak from a number of seals and gaskets. If the level declines too far, you may experience slippage.

The most effective way to prevent low fluid levels from causing a slip in your gears is to check the level every two or three weeks. Replenish it whenever it is low. If you notice the level routinely declines more quickly than it should, there is likely a leak somewhere in your transmission. Have a mechanic fix it as soon as possible.

Worn Bands And Gears

Your tranny is comprised of gearsets, bands, clutches, seals, gaskets, and myriad other parts that work together to send the engine’s power to your wheels. The bands are steel straps that are wrapped around drums. One end is connected to a component called the servo. Pressurized oil is delivered to the servo, which tightens the band and prevents the drum’s rotation.

Gears come in several combinations. Sun gears, planet gears, and ring gears rotate in an intricate, interlocking design. These gears reflect driving conditions.

Bands and gears can become worn over time. When this occurs, your transmission may have difficulty finding the right gear whenever your engine hits a certain RPM marker.

Malfunctioning Torque Converter

Your torque converter is responsible for sending torque to your transmission. It allows your engine to continue running even when your vehicle is at a full stop. There are fins inside this component that can wear down or break. If either occurs, your tranny will begin to slip. Replacing this component will usually resolve the problem.

Reseal, Replace Parts, Or Overhaul?

If you experience slippage problems with your transmission, you should have a trained technician inspect the assembly. If the issue is due to low fluid levels, he can check for leaks in the seals and gaskets. If the slip is caused by worn parts, he can recommend an appropriate course of action. The problem may be so extensive that you might need to have the assembly completely overhauled.

Leaks are relatively simple to fix. As long as they are coming from somewhere other than the front seal, the mechanic can usually reseal them without removing your tranny. Replacing worn parts may be more problematic, depending on the assembly’s construction. Many parts will require the mechanic to remove the assembly in order reach them.

An overhaul is expensive. The transmission is removed and taken completely apart after which every individual piece is inspected and cleaned, or replaced. The assembly is then put back together.

A slipping transmission is almost always a sign of worse things to come. If you notice slippage while driving, have your mechanic diagnose and resolve the root cause as soon as possible.

More and more people are turning to hybrid cars these days because of their promise of lesser fuel consumption and environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars, because they run on both fuel and battery-powered engines, eat up less fuel, thereby sparing the consumer the pain of falling prey to price pressures in the world oil market. In addition, it also emits significantly less smog pollutants in the air, compared to traditional fuel-operated cars. Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to owning hybrid cars. This is why even the US government is starting to show support by welcoming more models into the country and by encouraging American auto makers like General Motors and Ford to make more units.

Here are some of the advantages of hybrid cars:

1) Efficiency – Hybrid cars are electrically operated and are thus able to function well and consistently at any motor speed. This is in contrast to conventional gas-powered engines, which tend to produce less power in low revolutions per minute episodes. Hybrid cars do not need to use transmissions to make their engines run at full capacity even at reduced speeds.

2) Economy – One of the advantages of hybrid cars is that the feature called “regenerative braking”. Since a hybrid car works using both electric power and fuel power, each can function by itself or conjunction, depending on which is stronger at the time of use. This means that both engines complement each other and do not simply bog one when one of them becomes weaker.

3) Convenience – Because hybrid cars are part battery powered, they do not create huge holes in the pocket, compared to users of traditional cars who feel the pain of the continuing oil price increases. Most hybrid cars, particularly the ones that are made in Japan, are also more compact and lightweight, making them easier to maneuver on the road. Other models, particularly those by American and European car makers also do not deviate from the stylish designs their regular counterparts adopt, so users don’t have to feel they are being left out in the style department.

4) Sustainability – Sure, hybrid cars are fairly new, so their immediate impact on the environment cannot be foreseen in the short term. However, over the course of time, the next generations will definitely be thankful for having a clean, pollution free world, thanks in part to hybrid vehicles.

Some critics say that it is not the time to buy hybrid vehicles because they are expensive. However, when you consider the advantages, you really shouldn’t think twice. While you must be discerning in choosing the right model for your needs, this doesn’t mean you start hesitating. After all, when more people start buying hybrid cars, manufacturers will see the need to produce more and eventually bring its price to very affordable levels.

Your car’s transmission can potentially last the lifetime of your vehicle. A lot depends on your driving habits and whether you keep the fluid levels replenished, as needed. Even then, things can go wrong. You might notice problems as the assembly tries to shift; it may have difficulty finding the right gears. You might hear a high-pitched whine while driving. You may also feel a lurching motion as your tranny shifts. All of these are warning signs that something is wrong with the assembly. The challenge is finding the problem.

Below, I’ll explain why diagnosing transmission issues is challenging, even for specialists. I’ll also describe a couple of problems that can cause your tranny to act strangely.

Diagnostic Codes And The Path To Resolution

Automatics are nearly always more difficult to diagnose than manual trannys. Older automatic assemblies are especially problematic because they do not produce diagnostic codes. If you own an older vehicle and your transmission begins to behave oddly, the mechanic will be forced to start from scratch when identifying the issue. Unless he is very experienced, he will basically be flying blind.

Newer cars are equipped with electronic assemblies. That means they’ll produce one or more fault codes that will give the mechanic hints regarding the root cause of any problem you’re experiencing. But, even after identifying the issue, addressing it may not be easy.

One of the reasons most repair garages turn away transmission issues is because it is an extremely complex assembly. Aside from minor leaks, they’ll usually outsource the job to a specialist. What’s more, if there are several individual components that are either failing or about to do so, the specialist will often recommend replacing the entire tranny. The reason is due to the level of work involved with repairing or replacing parts. Some components require that the tranny be disassembled.

Large Leaks

Small leaks rarely pose an immediate problem. They’re relatively easy to identify by looking underneath your car, directly below your transmission. If you see a reddish fluid, it may either be fluid from the assembly or from your power steering. You can check your tranny’s fluid level to verify or invalidate the leak. If one exists, you might be able to postpone repairs by keeping the fluid level replenished.

The problem with small leaks is that they turn into big leaks. When that happens, keeping the fluid level replenished becomes far more difficult. As the leakages continue to worsen, your transmission will become increasingly exposed to low fluid levels. Eventually, you’ll notice slippage, a rough shift, and even long delays before the assembly can find the right gears.

When The Culprit Is The Torque Converter

Sometimes, the torque converter is the culprit rather than the transmission. There are needle bearings in this component that can suffer wear and tear. When they become severely worn, they can generate a whine-like noise similar to the one produced by a malfunctioning tranny.

Torque converter problems can actually cause your engine to overheat in some circumstances. They have a clutch that might lock up, preventing fluid from circulating within. That can lead to a loss of power and even transmission failure if the locked clutch causes the fluid to overheat. The best option at that point is to replace the component.

There are three main influences on the life of your vehicle’s transmission: regular maintenance, keeping the fluid level replenished, and your driving habits. All three are simple to address. Maintenance items should be performed according to the recommended intervals listed in your owner’s manual. Keeping the fluid level replenished is as simple as checking the level every three or four weeks. Your driving habits are entirely in your control. Given that replacing the transmission with a rebuilt assembly can cost thousands of dollars, it’s worth caring for it properly.

Hybrid cars are the Model T of our century. They are cars produced to reduce greenhouse gases, at the same time to get better gas mileage than other vehicles which no one probably dreamed would be at all possible, but hybrid owner is grateful since the huge increase in gas prices in recent months. But do you know what is behind the hybrid cars’ ability to reduce emissions? How do they work?

A hybrid car is a cross of two kinds of cars: the fuel-driven and the electric car. Let us see how the two work and how they can function as one hybrid engine.

Fuel-driven engines of cars have a fuel tank, an internal-combustion engine, and a transmission, which work to let the wheels of the car go round and round. Fuel from the fuel tank is sent to the engine, which it processes through the transmission to make the wheels turn.

The same process goes through electric cars, but battery packs are used to send electricity to the motor. The motor then processes this through the transmission, which then makes the wheels turn.

A hybrid car has the parts of both the fuel-driven and the electric vehicle, including fuel tank, gas engine, battery pack, generator, and transmission. Some differences include the gas engine which is smaller on hybrid cars, and developed for more efficiency and emitting less harmful gases to the environment. Transmissions can be constructed so differently in some hybrids, but with the same basic purpose.

The one item a hybrid has that neither the electric nor the conventional car have is the generator. The generator on a hybrid is used to produce electricity, making the hybrid more efficient than an electric car because it does not have to stop to charge up.

The part that distinguishes a hybrid from the electric and the conventional car is the generator. This generator produces electricity, which makes the hybrid car more efficient than the electric car because there is not need to stop just to recharge.

A hybrid harnesses the power from electricity and gasoline using a computer system that commands the engine to shut off when its speed is 15 miles per hour or less. It can also tell the motor to push more when there is a need in getting uphill.

Let’s go back to the smaller engine size to understand how the hybrid vehicle works more efficiently. Its design, as you can see, is for the driver’s actual, not possible, needs. The traditional vehicle normally has a heavy engine for times it is really needed. But both energy and gasoline are wasted because we hardly need to step on it as much. The lighter and smaller parts of the hybrid engine can meet the actual needs of most drivers. There, so less energy and fuel are used unnecessarily in moving the heavy engine.

Hence, the power from two energies in the hybrid cars, electricity and gasoline, are more efficiently used in the long run. You are being eco-friendly too, the more you use the hybrid.