1997 1/2 voyager 3.0L 3spd transaxle, 75000mi, just blew up the transmission.

Compared to the 4 speed the 3 IS bulletproof - but still not bomb proof. I replaced the 3 speed in my 3.0 liter 1988 New Yorker about 2 years ago at around 200,000KM. In my case, the diff gears let go, ruining the case. This is relatively common - ie, if the tranny fails, it's a good chance this will be the failure. It is NOT common in that it is to be expected.

In my case I got REAL lucky and picked up a used tranny from a mid nineties Sundance or Acclaim (can't remember which) that had been wrecked with 15,000KM on it. It sat at the wreckers for a few years before the engine was sold, minus the tranny - and they gave me a REAL deal on it - $300.00 exchange. Cost me another $250 to have it installed ( I did not have the time, and I retired from active duty as a mechanic for good reason - my shoulders don't take it any more) Then the tranny shop offered me more than the wrecker's core charge because he had another customer's car in that needed some major parts that were still OK in mine, so I came out another $50 ahead and did not need to handle the old trans to return.

Hard to say. Sometimes bad things just happen.

Matt

-Looked for leaks at under the dash , passenger side, and at carpets, all are dry.

-Parked it on fresh cardboard, to look for wetspots, no luck.

-No bubbles inside rad so no headgasket leak?

-Yet the level is down, and have to top up a quart about every 3rd fuel fillup.

-I am using the Chevy extended antifreeze. Would this creat the problem?

Maybe you had bad luck. My parents had an '88 Lancer with 3-speed automatic which they sold at about 110K to a friend who how has 120K+. The transmission is still working fine, with the original oil. The Lancer has less motor, a non-turbo 2.5, but it sounds like you kind of babied yours and it still broke, so luck may have been a factor.