I know its common for the 518's to drain down atf while parked for a while, so when you put it in gear it takes a little time to fill the converter and start to move. I know it doesn't flow in park, so I always shift to neutral and let it idle. My question is what allows the fluid to drain in the first place? Is it just the nature of the trans? Or a sign of something else?

 

This trans design was first used in the early 60's.
This has been an issue with some/most of these trans since then.
It is caused by air getting into the converter charge circuit.
either by worn bushing, loose fitted valves in vb, or manual valve placement in park.
I have seen them go past 200,000 miles and be fine, I have seen them with this issue at 20,000 miles!

Doesn't effect anything else as far as I know.

Start it, go to neutral soon and wait up to 45 seconds before driving.

During rebuild all these items need attention, plus a vb mod to pump in park is not hard to do.

 

Ok. Is it possible to lose fluid while its running? Occasionally while moving in gear it feels like the converter is fluttering under acceleration making it feel like I'm driving on a wash boarded gravel road.
It's a year old Goerends converter so I don't think it is the problem.

 

Geesh !


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