Bought a 98 SL2 w/108k. I'm not mechanically inclinded, have been ripped off by a variety of mechanics ( thats a fact, not bitter paranoia or delusions). So, I've been trying to educate myself a wee bit before taking the Saturn into a shop.
Feel like it's having (automatic) transmission issues. It wasnt bad.. hardly noticable, thought maybe I was just expecting the worst, though last night it really acted up.
I was coming off the interstate and I heard a clunk when it downshifted, the rpm's went up after I let off the gas and (i think) applied the brake. It's done the RPM thing twice, but not the clunk.
When parked, foot on brake I can shift from gear to gear without any clunk, noise or jerk. Shifting into drive does however lurch forward a bit. The tranmission fluid has small bubbles in it, I don't think it smells burnt.. but all that stuff smells the same to me, it's got a.. golden amber color. I had planned to have the fluid and filter changed but now wonder if there might be more to it.
Driving it on short trips there are no problems, longer trips it seems a lil delayed in downshift but not bad. Other than the afore mentioned incident it's not been a problem.
So I'd like to know, am I by default looking at needing a new (rebuilt/whatever) transmission. Or: Could old fluid/filter cause these problems? Would it be a waste of time/money to try that at this point? Are there other components within the tranmission (system) I could have someone check? You know like.. valves, gaskets... headlights ;)
Additionally, someone else drove it the other day and said there was a fluid leak, I havent been able to reproduce it, in order to locate it. But I know that could be a number of things. The splatterings were on the passenger side, the inside of the wheel is coated, I jumped to thinking brake fluid but .. they seem fine.
Anyway, any input at all would be really appreciated.
I don't want to take it in, have someone tell me I need a new transmission, engine, radiator and seat covers, and have to take out a
5billion dollar loan for what could just be a filter.