General Motors
Source-verified model
General Motors 4L30E
The 4-speed automatic transmission 4L30E is the successor of a reliable 3-speed transmission 3L30E, which has been used since 1969. These transmissions were made in the USA and in Europe (Strasbourg) under the name AR25 for RWD Opel Omega and AR35 for a 3-liter Katera.
Speeds
4
Type
AT
Drive
RWD/AWD
Max torque
350
ATF capacity (L)
9,7
ATF change (L)
4,6
ATF type
Dexron VI
Other and alternative codes of this transmission
4L40-E
4L30 E
THM R1
THMR1
THM-R1W
GM4
ML4
THM-R1
4L30E
4L40E
THM R1W
4L30-E
4L40 E
THMR1W
verified naming
OEM designation
source name
Common problems & symptoms
Problems and symptoms reported for this transmission, compiled from repair sources. Not a complete list.
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Torque Converter Friction Wear
Lock-up friction wear causes varnish accumulation, leading to oil pressure drop and oil starvation.
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Valve Body Varnish Buildup
Varnish deposits in narrow valve body passages cause pressure drop; requires disassembly and cleaning.
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Oil Pump Damage
Worn pump liner combined with contaminated ATF leads to oil pump failure and oil starvation.
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Solenoid Resource Exhaustion
Solenoids degrade over time; exhausted solenoids are a typical electrical failure in this transmission.
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Oil Pressure Drop
Reduced hydraulic pressure resulting from varnish accumulation and friction wear in torque converter and valve body.
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Line Pressure Solenoid Failure
Line pressure solenoid frequently requires replacement; affects band pressure regulation via PWM control.
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Bushing Wear From Starvation
Oil starvation caused by pressure drop damages bushings despite their otherwise adequate service life.
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Plastic Washer Bearing Wear
Plastic washer-bearings are considered consumable parts requiring periodic replacement during overhaul.
Parts categories
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About this transmission
Transmission general data
The 4-speed automatic transmission 4L30E is the successor of a reliable 3-speed transmission 3L30E, which has been used since 1969. These transmissions were made in the USA and in Europe (Strasbourg) under the name AR25 for RWD Opel Omega and AR35 for a 3-liter Katera.
The 4L30E has been installed since 1990 on RWD and AWD BMWs of all series with engine capacity of up to 3 liters, but it was more widely used on GM, Opel Omega, Isuzu and even on Honda Passport where it proved to be highly efficient.
Technical issues and repair guidelines
The torque converter, valve body and solenoids in the 4L30E transmission have a relatively limited resource. The operability of these components is gradually deteriorating because of the friction lock-up wear-out and accumulation of varnish in the narrowest places leading to the oil pressure drop and oil starvation, that results in a harmful impact on bushings, which have a proper resource.Operations with the worn-out pump liner and contaminated ATF lead to the oil pump damage. Plastic washer-bearings are also considered to be spare parts to be replaced.
The valve body after 200 thousand kilometers requires a statutory disassembly, repair and cleaning from varnish. The linear pressure solenoid was introduced in the valve body design for the brake band drive gear for regulation of the band pressure on the drum by means of PWM. Solenoids with exhausted resource are considered to be a typical problem in the electrical part of the transmission. The line pressure solenoid is also frequently replaced.
It is a reliable well-regulated transmission with a robust service resource for its components. After a simple overhaul this transmission can additionally operate for several years, if you properly monitor the ATF condition.
Vehicle fitment explorer
Confirmed vehicle applications. Every row is drawn from our source-verified fitment database.
| Make | Model | Year | Drive | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura | SLX | 96-99 | 4 SP RWD | V6 3.2L 3.5L |
| BMW | 3-SERIES | 92-00 | 4 SP RWD | L4 1.8 1.9L L6 2.5L 2.8L |
| BMW | 5-SERIES | 90-99 | 4 SP RWD | L6 2.5L 2.8L |
| BMW | 7-SERIES | 00-01 | 4 SP RWD | L6 2.9L |
| Cadillac | CATERA | 98-01 | 4 SP RWD | V6 3.0L |
| Honda | PASSPORT | 94-02 | 4 SP RWD | L4 2.6L V6 3.2L |
| Isuzu | AMIGO | 99-02 | 4 SP RWD | L4 2.2L V6 3.2L |
| Isuzu | AXIOM | 02-04 | 4 SP RWD | V6 3.5L |
| Isuzu | RODEO | 91-04 | 4 SP R/4WD | ALL |
| Isuzu | TROOPER | 90-02 | 4 SP 4WD | V6 3.2L 3.5L |
| Isuzu | VEHICROSS | 99-01 | 4 SP 4WD | V6 3.2L |
| Opel / Vauxhall | CATERA | 00-01 | 4 SP RWD | V6 3.0L |
| Opel / Vauxhall | FRONTERA | 00-04 | 4 SP RWD | L4 2.2L V6 3.2L |
| Opel / Vauxhall | OMEGA | 00-03 | 4 SP RWD | L4 2.0L 2.2L 2.5L V6 2.5L 2.6L 3.0L 3.2L |
Sources & Contribution
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