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Transmission fluid/motor oil

Tiny
I_HATE_MY_CAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 185,000 MILES
I have a 95 buick park avenue with a 3.8L. Over the past 3 months I have had to add about 6qts of transmission fluid because of low dipstick readings. During the same period, I have noticed my oil level increasing regularly. Yesterday out of curiosity, I drained oil out to reduce the oil level & ended up draining out 5qts of oil before it got back to a regular level. I have not noticed any fluid puddles(oil or tranny fluid) under my car & I suspect that my tranny fluid is somehow leaking into my crankcase. Is this possible & how do I resolve this? Also, what damage can occur to the engine if this mixture of tranny fluid & oil is actually occurring? Thank you. Charlie.
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 6:42 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
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The only fluid in contact is the coolant from the cooler in the radiator.

Did you check the coolant for trans fluid?
Roy
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
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Yes, I checked both in the radiator cap & reservoir and it look a clear green with no oil sheen on top.
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
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Since there is no connection, the trans fluid has to be leaking out from somewhere. Did you have a shop check for the leak?

Roy
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 12:44 PM
Tiny
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I have not & there are no signs of a leak or oily buildup under the car or in the engine compartment. So there is no chance the tranny fluid could be getting into my motor oil in any way? As I mentioned, I had to drain 5 quarts of fluid from my engine just to get it to down to a normal level.
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
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Just thinking about something. See if there is a vacuum valve in the front of the trans with a vacuum line on it. If there is remove it and see if it has fluid in the line. If it does, then thats our issue.

Roy
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
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Yes there is traces of fluid in the line and they are swelled up/saturated & flimsy. So, do I need to replace the "vacuum valve"?
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
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Its called a modulator valve for the trans

Roy
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
I_HATE_MY_CAR
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you! I was wondering if you could help me with another challenge with the same vehicle? I wont start or crank over. I charged up the battery for 5hrs & it wouldn't charge past 90% so I put the charger in start mode & it still wound not crank or even click when I turned the key. I took out the starter & bench tested it with the same battery & it cranked over just fine. I re-installed & did a continuity test from the positive at the battery to the starter solenoid, had a good reading. When I do turn the key on (not cranking), my dash gauge only reads 9-10v. I also trace the small wire on the starter to the neutral safety switch & noticed the mounting/adjustment screws were very loose. Any suggestions?
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 3:37 PM
Tiny
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Try moving the shifter up and down and see if it starts

Roy
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 3:47 PM
Tiny
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Yes, I did try that & in neutral as well. I cant even get the starter to make a click noise. Could it be related to why I only get a 9-10v reading on my dash? I put a load tester on my batt & it was on the bottom edge of good.
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Saturday, April 20th, 2013 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
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This morning I cranked over the engine with a remote starter switch with the key in the on/run position. It cranked over normally, revved up for a second & stopped, I repeated this several times with the same results. I checked all the fuses inside & out and they are all good. Any suggestions?
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Sunday, April 21st, 2013 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
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Sure could, I suspect a bad battery to start. Then check voltage at the little wire on the starter solenoid while in the start position to verify power

Roy
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Sunday, April 21st, 2013 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
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Hello Roy, I took my battery to have it tested, it was weak so I replaced it. I hooked up a multimeter to the small wire at the starter while my daughter turned the the key to start, it read zero voltage. Also, I am still only getting a 9-10v reading on my dash gauge with the key in the on position, it has always read 12.5 before these issues started. Please advise. Thank you.
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Sunday, April 21st, 2013 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
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Could be either a bad ignition switch, neutral safety switch or wiring issue

Roy
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Sunday, April 21st, 2013 AT 6:06 PM

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