Hi Guys,

Great forums - I've been having a good read, and there's heaps of good info here.

I bought a '96 TE 3.0 126000kms auto last week.

It's awesome - I'm really enjoying it - but last couple of days I've noticed it seems like the transmission is slipping a little when taking off if the car is cold.

Also kinda a heavy noise - not quite grinding but hard to explain when this happens.

After the car is warmed up - it goes away, and all seems fine.

Just wondering if you have any ideas? I've checked level of trans fluid - seems OK. Does it need a Transmission service? Is this a common sort of issue?

If so can anyone recommend a good transmission specialist that's good with Magnas in Melbourne (preferably northern side).

Thanks :D

Luke.

When I was researching Magna (before I was converted! :dancin: ) I found there were a few issues with Margan auto trans. The 1st gen models were really bad (my Dad went through 2) - by they were progressivly getting better.

If you hear a high pitched noise (like using a lathe to shape wood - just not a loud!) or a very low (like a wurr from tyres) it could actually be the transimission slowly grinding itself away. If found this in a 98 Sports that I was looking at.

You want to get it to a "good" auto trans place and get them to put the transmission onto their computer - that'll have details on what could be wrong with it from the cars point of view. They should also take it for a road test and give you some ideas also.

Some simple tests you can do is start your car cold, let the idle settle, then put it in reverse. If it takes longer than a few seconds, you have some issues with it. Try then coming down to drive and see how long it takes to enguage. Once again, if it takes more then a few seconds (1 - 2) then you could be in trouble. Use this test when you are looking at buying a new car. If it really clunks into gear you could either have the idle adjusted too high, or there are transmission problems.

*BEST PRACTICE TIP* - with any auto trans, before you change to reverse, select drive first, wait for the idle to fall as it drops into gear, then put in reverse. This stops the "clunking" into gear and will give the transmission a few more years.

A common problem with autos is changing gear when they are cold. You may want to flush the auto trans fluid and replace it with a better quality and rating (someting that suites the Melbourne climate).

At very least, you should have a trans given the once over every 12 - 24 months (based on usage and conditions - wet, dusty, etc) and have it adjusted. You'll increase its life and get better performance!

:D

Thanks for the reply!

It seems fine in all other regards, quick to engage gears when going to R or D etc. No clunking to speak of or anything like that. Just when it is cold it seems to slip a little whn taking off. Once it's warm it seems fine.

I think I'll find an auto trans specialist and have the trans flushed to see if that helps.

Can anyone reccommend anyone in the northern parts of Melbourne?

Thanks,

Luke.

if u have the service history check when the last trans service was done, best to do it every 50'000 km, costs around 200$ but good chance they improve the problem.
when u say slipping in 1st do u mean when taking off from standstill or before upshifting to 2nd?

Um not exactly sure wat u mean by taking off when its cold, but i dont think its a good idea to get to high revs when the engine is cold!

if u have the service history check when the last trans service was done, best to do it every 50'000 km, costs around 200$ but good chance they improve the problem.
when u say slipping in 1st do u mean when taking off from standstill or before upshifting to 2nd?

I don't have any service history - so I'll assume that a trans service is due and have one done. I'd just like to find a reputable specialist if I can. And BTW - I'm talking about taking off from standstill.

Um not exactly sure wat u mean by taking off when its cold, but i dont think its a good idea to get to high revs when the engine is cold!

I'm not talking about high revs at all. I'm talking about taking off from standstill. Who said anything about high revs? :dancin:

sorry if this is a little topic, i have had a few concerns about my transmission and just like to thank EuRoZac for the awesome post on "troubleshooting" the transmission that really helped

cheers

I'm not talking about high revs at all.

Phewwww. I thought u were giving your car a horrible punsihment.

Nah :dancin: not my new baby :D

I'm probably the other way - I even go out and start it five minutes before I drive off! lol

My second 5 sp autos about to go from this slipping problem auto. Mitsu can keep changing them under warranty as far as im concrened every 25 000km whichs is how long mine lasts. im not hard on it either. Theres something worong with my car since I bought it new.

Slips and gets neutral in the upshifts 2-3 3-4.

I've got a bad slipping problem in my 3.0L altera which i need to look into. The oil smells badly burnt... which is never a good thing :confused:

Despite regular servicing and treating it nice, there are still problems with Mitsi transmissions! :cry:

Just found out I need to have the tourque converter replaced after noticing a shudder like feeling when going up hills at a constant speed. Much like you'd feel in a manual if you didn't change from 4th to 3rd.

Found out when the 4 speed hits a certain point which it is happy with, it electronicly enguages a sort of clutch plate the locks the car in gear. The shudder is it slipping from the locked state to 4th (fluid driven).

Having it done next week, and they guess around $900. Simple rule - be nice to your transmission, change your oil and filter regularily, but still expect the odd hiccup!

I had my tranny serviced at Preston Trans & diffs, on St Georges road, near Bell street, on the right hand side of the road (Out bound). it costs $180 for a complete flush.

I also bought my Tranny cooler there. they installed it during the service.

This is my theory on Mitsubishi autos... They made the gearboxes out of hand grenades...