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Isuzu Axiom Transmission Problems

108 messages,  Last post on Apr 08, 2013 at 6:50 AM

You are in the Isuzu Axiom Forum.

What is this discussion about? Isuzu Axiom, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 8 of 11

#68 of 108 Did anyone change their Transmission fluid? by mdi

Aug 20, 2010 (3:26 pm)

I have 02 Axiom 4wd (54000 miles)
. I'd like to know if anyone has tried changing their transmission fluid. I mean flush and refill. Please advise.

#69 of 108 Re: Did anyone change their Transmission fluid? [mdi] by cptsesso

Aug 26, 2010 (7:38 am)

Replying to: mdi (Aug 20, 2010 3:26 pm)
If you mean on my own then no...If you mean have someone else do it then yes. I go to the local AAMCO shop and let them do it every 30k. Seems like it is more of a pain to try to do it yourself.

#70 of 108 Re: Transmission Problems(I Think) [jerryp49] by kayann

Sep 27, 2010 (9:34 pm)

Replying to: jerryp49 (Jun 05, 2009 7:29 pm)
So i tried to change the oil on my 02 Axiom and drained the tranny fluid on accident! So i have to have it towed to a garage and have them fix it right? or is there some way for me to add it? Is there going to be alot of other problems??? I didnt completely screw it up did I? Will it cost a fortune if I cant do it myself?Thought I would ask you seem to know alot about the car... Thanks...Kay

#71 of 108 Re: add on [ga12345] by rb44

Feb 05, 2011 (2:08 pm)

Replying to: ga12345 (May 07, 2007 5:13 pm)
I have replaced mine twice. 82000 and 126000. 2500.00 each time.

#75 of 108 Axiom tranny by qinva

Jun 27, 2011 (8:49 am)

We bought an Axiom XS about 7 months ago, and luckily, or because they knew something was up, the dealer included a drive train warranty. Trans displayed what some of you are describing, along with a trans overheat warning light, and then died. We found a really good mechanic in Mike at North American trans, in Richmond. He not only replaced the trans but also educated me. Trans is an old GM unit that has been modified for use in many vehicles including BMW's, Isuzus, and a host of others. It has problems. It should NEVER be flushed, but instead the pan should be dropped, cleaned, and a new filter and fluid installed. The external flushes do not work, but instead can lead to failure 'cause they pack the sludge into places it shouldn't be. He showed me my old unit with the pan removed and it looked like someone painted the inside with thick dark grey metallic paint. And, this was less than 100 miles after the Isuzu service dealer FLUSHED the trans( I requested a full service with new filter and oil, they said it isn't necessary and they don't do them). Car had 62k, and actually had a junkyard trans that had been installed(according to the yellow paint date on the case) the month we bought the car. An auxiliary trans cooler had been installed, but it was too small and mounted on the back of the radiator instead of in the cool air in front. Our oil lines are hard steel lines, so I don't understand how the line blew on the trans in the other post. The bottom line, to me, is that the trans needs special attention from all us long term Axiom owners. If you are in an area with hard winters, check the trans lines and replace if in doubt. It's much cheaper than a replacement. I plan on having Mike service the trans every 15k - also much cheaper than replacement. It may be that the stock, radiator trans cooler is too small or restrictive, because once it starts getting hot the trans will fail. I plan on putting a larger, heavy duty cooler on the car IN FRONT of the radiator, and recommend that everyone add auxiliary coolers, or eliminate the stock cooler altogether. Mike said heat is the biggest problem with this trans - it doesn't like to get hot. Once it does, the problem worsens fast and leads to failure - sounds like the cooler, and/or filter, gets restricted once the sludge inside starts to form and failure follows. Mike's done a lot of BMW replacements of this same trans and they all look like mine did after they fail. Keep 'em cool, and keep 'em running.

#76 of 108 Re: Transmission Problems(I Think) [as_i_see_it] by qinva

Jun 27, 2011 (8:57 am)

Replying to: as_i_see_it (Feb 03, 2010 8:48 am)
Get your transmission serviced right away. DO NOT let them sell you a flush, and if you come back to get it and they didn't service the trans, but instead just flushed it, raise hell. go to a reputable trans shop and have them drop the pan and replace the filter and fluid. don't screw around, $100 bucks now will save you junking the car if you can't afford the 4 grand replacement cost. The cars are great cars. You cannot replace its features in another car for the same price as your Isuzu.
Closest thing I've seen to the Axiom is a same-year Lexus suv.

#77 of 108 Re: Adding Trany Fluid? [sagefemme] by qinva

Jun 27, 2011 (9:02 am)

Replying to: sagefemme (Apr 12, 2007 10:38 am)
This is a perfect example of what I was talking about in my post. DO NOT let anyone "flush" the trans in your ISUZU!!!!!!! Go to an independent trans shop with a good reputation and ask if they know anything about the trans in your Isuzu. If they can tell you the problems it has and tell you it should never be flushed - you've found your shop. If they recommend an external flush, turn around and walk away, and try the next place.

Messages Page 8 of 11

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