99es300

My ES has just under 180k miles on it and was running beautifully. Last week I noticed a high pitched whining coming from the engine whenever I accelerate. I took it to my mechanic expecting the worst and, sure enough, the transmission is cooked.

They are telling me there are pieces of metal throughout it. I remembered at the beginning of the summer I SeaFoamed my car to try to clean out any carbon. Although I followed the instructions to a T and made sure everything was done right, I have a feeling I might have done something wrong to cause this.

Does anyone have any idea? I just have a bad feeling I did this to myself because I screwed up the SeaFoam. Why else would metal be in the tranny?

BadViper22

Seafoaming your block would not cause metal shavings to end up in your transmission.

Whether you pull a used jdm transmission, or rebuilt, do NOT go with Aamco.

97'ES

180k is a perfectly normal time for the tranny to go frankly. You didn't mention anything about maintenance or the way you drive the car? Seafoam has nothing to do with it.

Lexusfreak

I'm curious about the maintenance history too (and agree the seafoam had nothing to do with the problem)....however I disagree that it's a 'normal' time for the tranny to go...and engine & tranny (when properly maintained & driven) should outlast the body...period....including up here in the great white north with salted roads in the winter.

My first car was a 1991 Olds Delta 88 Royal Brougham with the FE3 'sport' suspension....I sold it to my Aunt back in 1998 at 140,000 miles....she sold it in 2006 at 312,000 miles...I've kept in touch with the most recent owner who is still driving it....at 383,000 miles (that's over 600,000 Km's!)_.....still going....original engine & tranny! Body is going now however.....even after heavily rust-proofing it....but it that did extend it's life.

They both took my advice on routine maintenance...including synthetics & regular coolant flushes.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

that's probably it, inconsistant transmission checks and flushes!

With time, as is with ALL mechanical/moving parts, they will start to shave off piece of metal from gears,etc, this is normal... But a flush is very important to do at all suggested [if not earlier] intervals for optimum performance in terms of shifting gears,etc. and to keep it running strong.

With that said, seafoam did not do this, the engine oil does not go into the transmission nor mix with that fluid. two separate compartments if you will.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

My cousin just sold her LS400 with 315 on the clock. Original trans that had normal maintenance.

Ariyanna

my uncle has a 94 2ES and it has never had the tranny fluid change on it and I told him it needed to be changed and now he needs a new tranny and it has 127k on the clock. If you dont drain the tranny fluid every 15k to 30k miles it wont last you. Tranny fluid is just engine oil it needs to be changed. I had a 1992 2ES about 5 years ago and it had 180k on the clock and I followed intervals on tranny fluid Change and it shifted like new so Seafoam had nothing absolutely nothing to do with the tranny going bad. It was either a bad tranny to begin with or most likely poor maintaince.

97'ES

Haha I had the FE3 on my 1994 Grand Prix GTP with the 3.4DOHC, at the time that engine was a rather high revving V-6 with a tranny most thought was shoddy at best (4t-60E), I beat the **** out of it and changed the AFT every 10k, I sold it with 140k on the clock and the new owner goes to school with me and has over 180k on it now with the same trans. Yeah your more onto what I meant that being a "normal" time for most cars as most cars aren't well maintained. I don't have any doubt about my own lasting longer then that.

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

BTW-My wife's Subaru has an external oil filter on the auto trans. THAT is a great idea.

99es300

Thanks for the replies- I realize the engine is completely separate from the transmission and that Sea Foam would not do this. I just was caught up and wrote out my thoughts quickly at the time..

That being said, regular maintenance has all been done. A transmission FLUSH is the only thing that was left out. Stupid mistake- obviously and I now realize this.

Before I have the transmission rebuilt outright.. is it too late to try to flush it? Or should I just try draining it and re-adding fluids? I'm thinking it might be too late because I am already hearing that "whining" noise...

UPDATE- the car has been sitting for a few days and now reverse and drive are sloppy (just moving it into the garage)..

Any ideas on what it would cost for a re-build? Or would I be better off getting a replacement?

Thanks..

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

I would drain and refill. Cheap way to find out if the tranny can come back.

decypher

To the OP - what was the outcome with your transmission?

lex2001

Just had my son's 94 ES 300 trans rebuilt. $2000.

OceanView

Ouch!
That's pricey.

By the way, I'm still on my original engine and transmission on my 98 ES300.
I think the life of an engine and transmission has a lot to do with maintenance and use.
No sudden starts or stops. Easy on the gas when the car is still cold, etc.