johnabdl

An experienced mechanic--racer, too--said not to touch it, presumably he saw metal in the fluid? Could you say why you'd change it anyway? Thanks a lot.

My 1997 LE intermittently surges on the highway between 60 and 70mph. It's as if you turned off the overdrive--same effect. It's also beginning to strain a bit at slower speeds on local roads. The transmission fluid was suppose to have been changed regularly, but I think someone gipped me at one point, and the fluid is too dirty now, so I'm not going to try to change it, or even drain a bit and top it off. Any idea what's going on? Is it a sign of the end for this transmission? Thanks for any tips.

Car has about 160,000 miles. I ceased changing transmission oil after being cheated a couple of times. A mechanic I trust says it's now unsafe to change it, unsafe even to drop the pan, let some fluid out and top it off. For the last couple of months, when I drive around 60+, the automatic transmission ceases shifting properly. The engine surges to almost 4000rpm without any increase on the gas pedal, even going downhill, and without any increase in speed. At lower speeds it seems OK. Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone solved it without replacing the transmission? Thanks a lot.

I everyone, I'm John, from New Jersey (near Morristown). My 1997 Pathfinder LE was bought in 2003 with only 50k miles. It has about 160k now. It's my only car, used for commuting and pleasure. It's been great so far, although some expensive things are starting to happen: recently needed the harmonic balancer replaced. I intend to do the following myself: - replace valve cover gaskets - replace lower radiator hose (already did the upper) But I'm afraid it's going to have serious transmission problems real soon. So I'm here to find some advice and direction for the above, and hope I might come up with something to share, too.