3.8 VP Motor/Trans Rattle

[Filthy Mex]

Hey guys.

Needing some help diagnosing a rattle.

So I own series 2 vp exec 3.8 auto and for about 2 weeks there's been this rattle at the back of the motor that started out small but has got real bad recently and I cant quite pick what it is. To top things off last night after work my trans was slipping badly and almost seemed like it was surging? Got home and there was trans fluid everywhere under the passenger side of the car, looks like it's coming from the bottom fitting in the radiator for your trans lines.

Could that be a death rattle coming from my torque convertor which has caused the bottom line to over pressure? Or would it be two seperate issues?

 

[HarryHoudini]

If driveable get it to a Tranny specialist for a quote,if its slipping major work is probably needed.
Other option is to bolt a 2nd hand Tranny on yourself,if you do make sure Flywheel bolts are tight.

 

[MikeC]

I think the leak from the cooling line might have caused the transmission failure and not vice versa. The slipping and surging and maybe the rattling would have been due to lack of fluid.
Did you notice any fluid under the car when the rattling started or check the tranny fluid level?
Anyway, that's history now-I'd follow HH's suggestions.

 

[HarryHoudini]

I think the leak from the cooling line might have caused the transmission failure and not vice versa. The slipping and surging and maybe the rattling would have been due to lack of fluid.
Did you notice any fluid under the car when the rattling started or check the tranny fluid level?
Anyway, that's history now-I'd follow HH's suggestions.

Good point.

 

[Filthy Mex]

Hey again guys,
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

So I've removed the old trans and torque converter and have a second hand one sitting underneath the car ready to go in.

Turns out the torque convertor bolts attached to the flex plate weren't very tight at all and I'm almost certain it was causing the rattle although i'm unsure if the flex plate has been damaged because of this. I'll upload a photo later after work.

Unfortunately I had to cut the old trans lines after many failed attempts with the wrong tools only to realise the new lines have a different end on the radiator side (possibly ran to a trans cooler?) But that's something I'll figure out once the new trans is in.

 

[HarryHoudini]

Good luck with it,sounds like you still have a few hours of work ahead,bloody heavy Trannies.......