Thread: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? UPDATE

No kidding....I know she is a "sprited" driver LOL, but she's gonna have to start paying for her own rebuilds at this rate....

Actually she just graduated U of Hartfold, trans rebuild was done up your way by LaFleur Transmissions in Enfield CT.

Trans definitely got hot, she said it "smalled bad" when she got out of the car...the question is, will it run again once it cools off and is refilled with fluid? Also must be a leak somewhere if she lost the fluid in the first place.

Well, it's past the 2-yr warranty, so repairs are on my nickel...any advice is appreciated. I had the roadside service tow take it to the local garage in Rural Northern NJ that her boyfriend's family uses, I have no idea if the guy is any good or not...If he doesn't sound like he knows what he's doing when we speak this morning, then I'm going to get it with a trailer and go to plan B, whatever that is.....

You think there's any chance at all that I could revive it with a fluid and filter change?

Originally Posted by Burbman

You think there's any chance at all that I could revive it with a fluid and filter change?

Here's what I would do (been playing with cars for 40 years now and dad was a top notch mechanic first for Chrysler then for New York City Transit Department he retired as head of all depots in NY. so I have pretty good instincts) remove and replace the trans filter remove the bottom line from the trans (I have done this on several vehicles of mine and if your are careful you are fine) put a funnel in the trans dipstick tube start engine with it in park or neutral. As the fluid drains keep adding fluid until it runs out clean (this drains the torque converter and not just the pan). Check the fluid make sure it is at proper level. Let car sit for 24 hors (make sure any air bubbles that you MAY have incurred are gone) Check fluid level again, drive 50 miles and check fluid level again, drive another 50 and check level one more time. Over the next two thousand miles or so made sure fluid is not burnt or going down. If not you are good to go. Every 30,000 miles change fluid and filter

Thanks for the info! Right now it's over at the garage in NJ and I'm headed out of town on business tomorrow. Still waiting for the guy to call. I suppose I will have to call tomorrow if I don't hear anything. That's encouraging that it might have some life left in it....hate to spring for another trans right now. we are in the process of packing up and moving to KY and I've already crated most of the tools.

Originally Posted by Burbman

Thanks for the info! Right now it's over at the garage in NJ and I'm headed out of town on business tomorrow. Still waiting for the guy to call. I suppose I will have to call tomorrow if I don't hear anything. That's encouraging that it might have some life left in it....hate to spring for another trans right now. we are in the process of packing up and moving to KY and I've already crated most of the tools.

What part of NJ? I was used to live in Dayton NJ and 8 years ago moved to TN where in Ky you headed to?

Car is at Mark's Auto in Sussex NJ...that's the NW corner off rt 23. We are moving down to Louisville, I'm relocating down there to work from the company';s HQ. We are suppoosed to move next week, bad timing for DD's GP to crap out on her way to visit her BF.

Originally Posted by Burbman

Car is at Mark's Auto in Sussex NJ...that's the NW corner off rt 23. We are moving down to Louisville, I'm relocating down there to work from the company';s HQ. We are suppoosed to move next week, bad timing for DD's GP to crap out on her way to visit her BF.

yep real bad timing, I used to have some cousins lived in sussex county. Good luck in Louisville, one warning once you hit the South the Italian food and Chinese food are terrible

UPDATE

Tech refilled the trans and took it for a ride and it shifts fine! *phew*

Diagnosis: left side axle seal leaked all trans fluid out. Fortunately DD stopped in time before the trans cooked itself.

Tech said it looked like a bad pothole or impact on the left side caused some damage...axle shaft, wheel bearing, CV boot and trans seal all damaged. Will also service the trans with new fluid and filter, total bill in the $650 range. The GP lives on!!!