Electra Park Avenue V6-231 3.8L VIN 3 FI (1988)
1A.
To increase the lubrication to the 3rd roller clutch assembly, a 3rd
roller clutch dam was added and the input housing shaft I.D. 4th clutch shaft seal was eliminated. This change occurred for the 1985-1/2
model year.
2.
New Output Shaft With A Single Path Bearing: The new output shaft and bearing allows more lubrication fluid to flow to the center of the
gearbox. Refer to Service Bulletin 90-7440-10.
3.
New 10 Plate 3rd Clutch Assembly For SOP 1989: The 10 plate clutch assembly, compared to the previous 8 plate clutch assembly, is for
higher torque engine applications and also helps eliminate heat build-up due to numerous repeat manual Lo engagements at speeds around 35
MPH. Refer to Service Bulletin 89-7440-2.
4.
End Play: If the final drive has too much clearance, this will allow the final drive sun gear to move away from the thrust bearing in the final
drive. This will allow too much lube fluid to leak out from the final drive sun gear shaft. With the correct final drive end play, the sun gear
would block most of the lube fluid from escaping from the sun gear shaft. If the input housing has too much clearance, this would allow too
much lubrication fluid to leak out between the input housing thrust bearing and 3rd roller clutch cam. Some leakage is designed in, but too
much leakage, due to worn, damaged or missing bushings, too much end play or incorrectly installed parts could cause a durability concern.
Refer to the lubrication circuit fluid flow description, Figure 1.
5.
The final drive sun gear lube groove must face towards the parking gear to allow adequate lubrication flow to the final drive pinions. The
final drive sun gear shaft has lubrication holes in the shaft that feed fluid into the step in the sun gear, then through the two slots in the parking
gear to the final drive pinions - if the final drive sun gear was installed backwards, the holes in the final drive sun gear shaft would be
blocked, not allowing fluid to lubricate the final drive pinions.
6.
Check lube pipes for correct installation and any damage (plastic cracked, pipes bent, etc.). Ensure the lube pipe retainer is in the proper
position. A mispositioned or damaged component will leak lubrication fluid into the bottom pan instead of directing the fluid to the center of
the gearbox. While bolting down the accumulator cover, inspect the position of the lube oil pipe retainer - reposition if cocked.
7.
Fluid Foaming Due To Overfilling Or Incorrect Thermo Element Height:
If the fluid level is too high, the moving parts will churn the fluid, causing the oil to foam. This will cause many durability concerns including
damage to the center of the gearbox. An incorrect thermo element height will cause the fluid level to be inaccurate (either too low or too high)
when the fluid is up to operating temperatures. Too low a fluid level will cause air to be pulled into the filter, and too high a level will cause
fluid foaming due to churning. Check the height with thermo element height setting tool, J 34094-A.
8.
4th clutch hub and shaft assembly should have one needle missing from the inside of the bearing cage for oil flow to the 4th clutch fiber and
reaction plates.
9.
Transaxle Oil Cooler Flow Test: Correct flow is two quarts of fluid per 30 seconds. Also, it must be flushed after certain repairs are
performed; refer to the Labor Time Guide for labor operations that require transaxle oil cooler flushing. For flushing instructions, refer to
Service Bulletin 87-7-3.
10.
Input Housing To 3rd Roller Cam Thrust Washer Replaced With A Needle
Bearing:
Refer to Service Bulletin 89-7440-6 for details about past model service.
