1991 Geo Tracker Needs Help

[slim_jimmy7]

Hello all,

I own a 1991 Geo Tracker Softop, 8v, 3L30 Automatic transmission 4WD and it is a USA car with 92,000 miles on it.

I have many issues with my Tracker, the most pressing though is a slipping transmission. The fluid smells good and is red, it used to leak out of a bad modulator (which I replaced). Than for a while things were great, but recently it started slipping only when cold, and today it started doing this most everywhere in the low gear.

I guess I am wondering my options, there is a possibility that I have a leak somewhere, if that is the case than my fix would be easier and cost less right?

Otherwise it sounds like a new or repaired transmission is the way to go?

The second most pressing situation is the fact that it leaks oil pretty steadily, the owner before me over filled the oil and I am sure blew out some seals, I replaced the head gasket already but it looks like the oil pan gasket needs some attention. How hard will it be to replace that seal along with the main seal both of which need replacing from what I am told.

Last but not least my softtop corner pieces (forgive the stupid language) are broken, what are they called and where can I find them?

Otherwise I really like the vehicle

[jtgh]

tranny slip.
define that.?
there is late shift, early shift, then flaring. (acts like tranny fell off car)
sorry,i do know that is hard to explain.
DO A:
full flush and filter and pray. if filter clogs, pump starves and the bands will slip.
if you keep slipping them ,they will be crap soon. burns them up.

leaks.
top ones.
VC gasket.
Dizzy bases seal , dizzy shaft seal o-rings. very common. in fact all 91s now. (clean back of motor to prove )
(that dont apply to repaired o-rings, just 91 oem issue )
then front pulley seal. easy. see my timing belt page.
then rear seal, motor out. or tranny out with xfr case. ( id pull motor but i have lift)

last is the nasty pan gasket , always assume it is good , unless you have proof it is bad.

clean it immaculately then drive short 5 miles.
look , repeat , look, got you..... ( i hope not)
pull motor if yes.

some claim lift motor a tad (mounts) drop axle .
but is way slower then pulling motor . this is an level 1 motor pull.
one of the easiest on planet earth. and light as a feather. to boot



ragtop , what id # you mean. this is oem suz. rag

[slim_jimmy7]

So I have always left a little drip or two of fluid on the pavement where I park it. Yesterday after my post I started to check the fluid and it was nearly gone. I filled it because it was a little low a week and a half ago. After letting it warm up and shifting it into drive reverse etc. I walked back inside and after that there was a rather large puddle of tranny fluid. I must be leaking it while I am in gear driving down the road, what would cause that? One guy said it was the main seal, but than why does it only do it under pressure?

When I filled it up yesterday no slips at all, but it would slip when I am at a stoplight with my foot on the brake, and when turning in low gear.

For the softtop, I think I need the 2-3 in your diagram. There is a rubber door seal and on top of that is a flimsy plastic piece and on the bottom of flimsy piece is a hard piece to hold the softop corners down.

[jtgh]

you need to find that leak fast or the tranny will be a goner soon.
you need to inspect it closely , to find it. and all things under pressure like to drip.
Even Al Gore,

part id: 2-3
R= 78381-60a00

L - 78382-60a00

https://www.trademotion.com/partloca...&siteid=214330

OMG, suz. sells them and stocks them , amazing ,huh. 20 years support. pinch my self. $3.70


you tranny needs serious service. and you need to check the level 2 times a day.

[slim_jimmy7]

Sorry it has taken so long to reply...

I parked the Geo that day because it looked like the leak was coming from the main seal of the transmission. We got it apart finally yesterday only to notice that one of the housing bolts literally fell out and was grinding against the torque converter, it was one of the top ones (thank goodness, because if it was a bottom one it would have been spewing even more).

This is the fourth piece of equipment that has shaken loose on the vehicle. The starter shook loose and fell off twice in 6 months. The bellhousing (which is on the same side as the starter has a bolt that shakes loose every time. One of the valve screws (on the starter and bellhousing bolt side) vibrated out. And the last one was this transmission housing bolt which was on the same side.

After pulling the motor there was some play in the crankshaft, and we noticed the crossmember might be tweaked.

When I drive the vehicle the 4 wheel drive shifter knob shakes like the dickens and always has.

I would like some guidance I (we) are truly stumped.

[jtgh]

compression dead and weak on 1 cylinder.
and bad motor mounts . and or tranny mounts.

all at same time.

or missing mounts or tranny braces. (3sp may not have lateral braces. IIRC)