Automatic transmission reliability?

[j912000]

I have searched with no results so here goes. Are the Auto trannys in the Festivas pretty bulletproof? I am getting a 1990 with 250k on it that was gently used by a Lady. Iwas wondering if it will have much life left in it? Are the transmissions dificult to rebuild? Thanks in advance. Don Jackson

[dahodges]

Those slush boxes will last forever. My car has 254k on it. Ihave put 75k on the car since I bought it. The trans. still runs strong. Don't know if it was ever rebuilt. Any trans. you get from a JY should be good if you ever have to replace it. I would change the fluid.

David

[IL4Festiva]

you can never be too sure, there are too many variables, little things like climate, roads, transmission fluid, all of it can make a difference. But like all things, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. if she was actually gentle with it should last a good long time, assuming that you are going to be as kind with it. i think estimated transmission life is 200kms, and that is when it is recomended to be changed. My 5 speed lasted all 350kms, and did not have the nicest driver in the end.
transmissions aren't so much difficult to rebuild as frustrating, it takes patience, and can take a long time. i don't know about automatics though, i think they are too complex.
but there are people who know more than i on here, maybe they can tell you more, i hope i helped you atleast a bit.
Sean

[Axlander9289]

There's an '89 Automatic in my town with over 260k on it. Don't know if it has ever been rebuilt though. I don't see them being overly complex. I believe they were built by AISIN, and have 3 speeds, so I'd assume they just have a single planetary gearset. I've never had one apart, just guessing, but if you have a background in automatic transmissions, I don't see it being a difficult rebuild.

[FB71]

correct, single simple planetary gearset. Very easy to rebuild.

[25Horseplay]

I beat the snot out my auto tranny and have no trouble with over 220 K on it.

[GenevaDirt]

you can never be too sure, there are too many variables, little things like climate, roads, transmission fluid, all of it can make a difference. But like all things, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. if she was actually gentle with it should last a good long time, assuming that you are going to be as kind with it. i think estimated transmission life is 200kms, and that is when it is recomended to be changed. My 5 speed lasted all 350kms, and did not have the nicest driver in the end.
transmissions aren't so much difficult to rebuild as frustrating, it takes patience, and can take a long time. i don't know about automatics though, i think they are too complex.
but there are people who know more than i on here, maybe they can tell you more, i hope i helped you atleast a bit.
Sean

UMMMMMM....why would waste this whole long post that asks about auto tranny's but then state you know nothing about auto tranny's?

[Safety Guy]

I've got almost 220K on my ATX now and the past 22K or so was on my B6 swap, when I changed the fluid and filter. Still going strong and I'm pretty sure this was the original ATX.

Karl

[deathegg]

speaking of reliability, does hp affect it? If i put a high hp engine in a festy with an automatic, will it take the power and still be reliable? and on a related subject, how much hp can an auto trans festy take?

[25Horseplay]

The stock auto tranny can handle quite alot more HP then the 4 or 5 speeds can. Even with a higher HP engine. I am putting one behind my B6T.

[miami man]

i have two automatics one is still running good and the other is starting to make a grinding sound and keeps droping in nuetral.