98 civic 2dr coupe completely stock with 120,000 miles
Transmission does not make any unusual noise and works in every gear, but when coming off a stop it slips. Also while driving the rpms surge up and down about 500rpm according to the stock tach. The car has no idle problems.

Would replacing the torque converter fix these problems?
The transmission fluid is good as far as I can tell, it doesnt smell burnt, and looks to be new.
I just bought the car and don't know anything about transmissions.

 

when was the last time the fluid was changed????

Should be changed EVERY 15k miles.

I have about 500k miles between two Civic slushboxes without any troubles. Then again I've seen them die at 90-120k miles because fluid wasn't changed.

 

I honestly don't know. I just bought the car and it didn't seem that bad when I test drove it. Guess I should have walked on this one but I needed a daily driver for my gf since the truck drinks gas and the mileage is getting high on it.

Fluid in it looks new so probably was changed to mask the problem. I might have another transmission lined up I just have to go and pull it.

When they die is it just alot of slipping? Or do the gears go too?

Thanks for any info.

 

yet to have one die on me...........

 

Anything I could try before I do the labor? I know on manual transmissions some people use synchromesh with friction modifiers to try and extend the life of their trans. Would changing the fluid with another type help any?