My friend has just bought an six cylinder EL Fairlane that has about 330,000 mostly country kilometers on the clock. The motor does not smoke or leak oil etc. but has some tappet rattle for a few seconds when it's started. However even with moderate acceleration the transmission shifts up with a very noticeable clunck some times. It seems to be less frequent after the car has warmed up for 10 minutes. I am told it shifts down ok under brakes.
I have asked him to try and determine if it is a particular gear etc. but he is going through a lot of other issues just now and has not got back to me.
I suggested he have it serviced (as we have no idea how much ATF is in it) and see what they say... $195 was the quote just to do the filter and ATF.
I have a 200,000K driveline from an EF Futura which he thinks it would be better to buy and put the $195 towards that instead.

Is this a common problem?
Is there a finite lifetime to these autos?
Are there any other issues to look into?
Can anyone suggest which would be the better course to follow and why?

I realise this is not a lot to go on so if there are some other details required i can pass the questions on to him.

Thanks for reading this far...

Cheers

Auto life..........

Well i do belive there is a certain life of these auto's i belive they can be good for up to and over 300,000 BUT ONLYY IF.......

They are serviced every 40,000, and MUST have a descent cooler fitted

if not then they could be dead at 200.

as for the clunking, bad oil.....valve body? give it a service and if its not good then its probably gone.

yeah give it a service kit, they are pretty cheap.

also check the bush at the output shaft. if they are worn too much you can get these clunks.

Ok gents advice taken. I'm hoping the service will sort it to be honest. I'll check for the output shaft bearing next time I see him.

The cars history is ex govt for the first 100,000 so the servicing should have been ok. Whos to know about the private owner for the next 200,000. I think its pretty good that it goes at all after this long anyway.

Cheers,
C

id suggest getting the auto checked, its possible it has been rebuilt at some stage because to be honest, 330,000 is quite a bit for a factory trans.

Providing the trans is in a semi decent condition, it may need a replacement s5 solenoid, as these do play up causing clunky shifts, but the only way you will find out what the trans is like is to have the pan taken off it.

I can recommend a place in osborne park if you are up that way, pm me i you want their details.

if you get a profesional auto service ask them to do a converter flush as well other wise your only changeing 1/2 the oil

Hrm, my 4th does this too... clunks really hard. Alot harder den my shift kit... to the point where it feels like the tail of the car jumps lol. Might need to get it checked...