Life Transmission fluid type problems

**ShortRoundChief** · 01-27-2014, 09:47 AM

So I started to go to class today and my car wouldn't shift. After further inspection it was bone dry and apparently I had a leak that I put off. Well I can't put it off any longer.

My questions are: It turns out that these things have transmission filters that need to be replaced every 30k miles. I didn't know that so needless to say it's due. I'm unable to do it myself so I need to take it to a mechanic. How much does that normally cost and could the lack of proper maintenance have caused the leak?

I appreciate the insight and will promptly die in an AIDS fire .

booger · 01-27-2014, 09:57 AM

Mostly labor but it can be spendy. Lots of places will flush it out and the torque converter too. Had an estimate of 350 for my truck. But that's cheaper than having to have it rebuilt. Get jasonsauto or one of the board mechanics advice on this is your best bet

MIAdragon · 01-27-2014, 10:02 AM

If you ran it bone dry you're ****ed.

**HemiEd** · 01-27-2014, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

If you ran it bone dry you're ****ed.

Pretty much this. If it is showing symptoms, you don't get do-overs with automatics.

Did the car not come with an owners manual? Did you not see big red puddles wherever your parked?

El Jefe · 01-27-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Pretty much this. If it is showing symptoms, you don't get do-overs with automatics.

Did the car not come with an owners manual? Did you not see big red puddles wherever your parked?

That statement is 100% correct.

**ShortRoundChief** · 01-27-2014, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Pretty much this. If it is showing symptoms, you don't get do-overs with automatics.

Did the car not come with an owners manual? Did you not see big red puddles wherever your parked?

It was leaking and I thought it was oil. Never paid too much attention to the transmission fluid except for the occasional check (and apparently wasn't doing that right).

I got my oil changed the other day and assumed that they checked it. Looking back now I can see it was an erroneous assumption.

**HemiEd** · 01-27-2014, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Jefe

That statement is 100% correct.

Yeah, I have trashed enough of them, all by abuse on my part. It is a sickening feeling when the car won't pull it's own weight, shifts erratically or starts freewheeling or locking up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

It was leaking and I thought it was oil. Never paid too much attention to the transmission fluid except for the occasional check (and apparently wasn't doing that right).

I got my oil changed the other day and assumed that they checked it. Looking back now I can see it was an erroneous assumption.

It has been a while since I had anything that leaked, but it is a good idea to stick you finger in the spot on the driveway/floor and take a look. Smell it, rub it around on your finger to see what it is. Seriously. Usually, trans fluid is red.

If you were only down two quarts, you are probably ok, but it isn't good. Just guessing, but counting converter, that thing probably has around 9 quarts.

Radar Chief · 01-27-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

It has been a while since I had anything that leaked,

Know how I know you don't have a Jeep?

WhiteWhale · 01-28-2014, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Pretty much this. If it is showing symptoms, you don't get do-overs with automatics.

Did the car not come with an owners manual? Did you not see big red puddles wherever your parked?

Meh. My truck started showing symptoms 30,000 miles ago.

I'm on borrowed time, but I'm going to get as much as I can out of it.

**HemiEd** · 01-28-2014, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

Meh. My truck started showing symptoms 30,000 miles ago.

I'm on borrowed time, but I'm going to get as much as I can out of it.

You should probably go ahead and "power brake" it to burn them clutches in.

Warpaint69 · 01-28-2014, 06:48 AM

Automatic transmissions work off pressure. If the fluid is low enough your not going to have proper pressure to engage things internally, which means your slipping your clutch discs in the clutch pack. A transmission that's slipping the fluid will smell burned and start to become discolored from a bright red to a brownish red.

Your leak could be the front pump seal on the transmission. If it is you might get lucky with dumping in some Lucas Oil transmission fix to get that seal to swell back up. Another source of a leak is somebody over tightening the pan bolts smashing the gasket. Your only suppose to torque the pan bolts something like 10 inch pounds or something like that. If its the pan gasket that will be cured with a filter change.

**ShortRoundChief** · 01-27-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

/thread

I didn't. Thread reopened.

stevieray · 01-27-2014, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I didn't. Thread reopened.

you gotta check it when it's hot for a correct reading...do it when you are filling up your tank.

**ShortRoundChief** · 01-27-2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

you gotta check it when it's hot for a correct reading.

I did. On level ground. While shifting slowly through the gears. While pinching my nipples. Whilest eating a chili dog and taking ecstasy. (Enjoying the open thread)

01-27-2014, 09:47 AM	Topic Starter
ShortRoundChief Embrace the love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Joplin Casino cash: $4107192	Transmission fluid type problems So I started to go to class today and my car wouldn't shift. After further inspection it was bone dry and apparently I had a leak that I put off. Well I can't put it off any longer. My questions are: It turns out that these things have transmission filters that need to be replaced every 30k miles. I didn't know that so needless to say it's due. I'm unable to do it myself so I need to take it to a mechanic. How much does that normally cost and could the lack of proper maintenance have caused the leak? I appreciate the insight and will promptly die in an AIDS fire .
Posts: 33,929

01-27-2014, 09:57 AM	#2
booger Don't Tug on Superman's Cape Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clear out in the sticks Casino cash: $-2331450	Mostly labor but it can be spendy. Lots of places will flush it out and the torque converter too. Had an estimate of 350 for my truck. But that's cheaper than having to have it rebuilt. Get jasonsauto or one of the board mechanics advice on this is your best bet __________________ 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” KJV
Posts: 12,920

01-27-2014, 10:02 AM	#3
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $-2142181	If you ran it bone dry you're ****ed.
Posts: 15,943

01-28-2014, 06:48 AM	#11
Warpaint69 Starter Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $2575432	Automatic transmissions work off pressure. If the fluid is low enough your not going to have proper pressure to engage things internally, which means your slipping your clutch discs in the clutch pack. A transmission that's slipping the fluid will smell burned and start to become discolored from a bright red to a brownish red. Your leak could be the front pump seal on the transmission. If it is you might get lucky with dumping in some Lucas Oil transmission fix to get that seal to swell back up. Another source of a leak is somebody over tightening the pan bolts smashing the gasket. Your only suppose to torque the pan bolts something like 10 inch pounds or something like that. If its the pan gasket that will be cured with a filter change.
Posts: 680