Potential Carlisle-ending problem

[TopNotch]

I've been driving my white Fiero quite a bit lately, to make sue it can do a trip. I've noticed that the transmission fluid level has been going down slightly. Today I took it to the Duluth Kaiser center to get some prescription refills. When I got back, the trans fluid was a whole pint down. There are no visible leaks except an occasional drip from the pan. So when it cools down, I'm going to change the pan gasket, and hope that does the trick. I already have a new Felpro gasket.

[pgackerman]

YiKeS!

[Raydar]

You might want to look at your coolant. Doubt that the radiator tank is leaking, but it's always a possibility.

[GTRS Fiero]

Agreed.  The fluid is going somewhere.  If not on the ground, in the coolant.

I don't know how far that drive is, but likely less than an hour, each way.  My Fiero was leaking about a pint every 1,000 miles, or so.

[TopNotch]

No oil in the coolant. The new gasket is on, with oil-resistant RTV. The bolts are snug, but not tight for now. I'll tighten them tomorrow, put in fluid, and go for a drive.

[GTRS Fiero]

Hoping for good results.

[GTRS Fiero]

What happened?

[TopNotch]

Well, it looks like, if I go to Carlisle, it will be in my yellow car. There's still a chance for the white car, but it has two more problems. Fuel is getting in the engine oil, and the water pump has started making noise. I searched some 3800 forums about the fuel in oil problem, and they say the first thing to check is the fuel pressure regulator. So I'll check that and replace it if necessary, and also replace the water pump. The water pump looks like a very easy job on this engine, and I'm hoping that the FPR is also easy. I bought a water pump at Auto Zone today (their DuraLast pumps are very good). Hopefully someone will have the FPR also, if I need one.

[GTRS Fiero]

I was wondering about your yellow Fiero.  It hasn't had much mention, lately.

Would you have to change your registration?

[TopNotch]

When your oil level goes up instead of staying put or going down, it means that something is getting in your oil. Tue usual candidates are coolant and fuel. Since my oil wasn't milky, I assumed fuel. It turns out that in a car with a 4T60E transmission,, there is another candidate, and that's transmission fluid.
There is a vacuum modulator on the transmission, and if the membrane in it breaks, the vacuum line on it pulls ATF into the engine. That's what was happening on my car. I don't know how it wound up in the oil after being pulled by the vacuum, but it did. So that explains why my ATF was going doen, and my oil going up.
I found a replacement at the big Autozone on Lawrenceville Hwy. It looks different from the old one, but it works the same way.

I also replaced the water pump. I think she's ready to go now.

[Fierofool]

Now, you need to take it on another drive.  Maybe drive up toward the South Carolina state line, have a chili dog at the Sonic at the Lavonia exit then return. 

[TopNotch]

I didn't go on that drive, but I went on a pretty long drive that included both highway speeds and some very heavy stop-and-go traffic. She didn't overheat, so I figure my new water pump is OK, and I checked the ATF level when I got home, and that was OK, too.

[Fierofool]

Run down to the Dollar General and grab a couple of spray bottles ofMean Green Orange Champ Cleaner and Degreaser. 

[GTRS Fiero]

Glad you got it working.  Looks much better, too.

[Raydar]

...Mean Green Orange Champ Cleaner and Degreaser.

Is that different from regular Mean Green?
Mean Green is great stuff, but it will oxidize bare aluminum (especially), and other metal.

Your fixes sound promising. All I'm gonna say, as I don't want to jinx you.
It's an "electronics tech" thing. We discovered, long ago, that the quickest way to kill a piece of electronics - like a nearly inaccessible (mountain top, or some such) radio transmitter - was to talk about how reliable it had been, for the past... however long.