My beloved Taco ('94 V6 auto, 140k mi) is sick... 10 weeks and counting in & out of the shop. After about 40 hwy mi (low speeds are no prob) the auto trans OD gives out (or something...) and starts slipping, but before that its ok. Once it starts the engine runs over normal revs, and on hills it gets ugly. Eventually the AT oil temp light comes on (even on the flats) and the engine starts to knock like crazy (death rattle!) and revs climb while power drops out. Nobody seems to be able to fix it. Trans has been re-built (it DID need it... 2nd was trashed) and engine tuned several times - no effect on this problem. Runs OK w/ OD off but gulps gas like beer. Before this started I banged the rear (not sure what exactly) on a rock, but seemed OK after that for a few days - can't see how that would've done anything... problem started in the East Sierra at altitude and got worse the longer I drove it. Suggestions for the poor saps trying to fix this would be most appreciated.
Merry Christmas...
Merry Christmas...