HELP!!! Dealer JACKED up SViXen!!
 

I work at a dealership in Northern California, so I get a discount on my parts and labor for my cars.

Local performance shop quoted me ~500 for the rear main seal and oil separator cover R&R. Internal labor rates are classified, but I got it MUCH cheaper from the dealer.

Before I took it in, everything ran smoothly. The transmission had NO slip issues, the entire vehicle is religiously maintained, and it had NO flaws with the exception of the rear main seal leaking a little oil. They removed the transmission and installed the seal and oil separator plate. They put it back together...or so I thought.

That night, while driving home, I got a CEL. I took it back this morning, and they plugged in the Oxygen Sensor...no big deal.

I am driving home this afternoon, and am doing the speed limit on the 101 North. I've been driving along for about 25 miles on the freeway. All of the sudden, there's a large cloud of smoke behind me, and some is entering the passenger cabin. I limped to the next exit, smelling distinctly of burned transmission fluid. The Highway Patrol was nice enough to push my vehicle into the gas station parking lot, since I had completely run out of A/T fluid.

I spent $250 getting the car towed back to the dealership. They are going to look at it in the morning. I want to know if this sounds like something that they did wrong, or is this just a really bad coincidence that my transmission had a massive failure less than two days after being removed/re-installed.

Please help with ideas, because I can't afford to be stuck with over $2K in repair costs...

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Sounds to me like one of the ATF cooler hoses either burst or came loose. Could be it wasn't reconnected properly.

dcb

Same goes my thought

Yep.. Cooling hose. First thing that entered my mind.

Hose
 

Definitely sounds like a hose to me. I had that happen to me shortly after replacing a tranny at a dealer and thought they had screwed up. They had not--just a hose failure.

Lee

definetly, hose not connected properly.... masive oil next to header.... big cloud of oil been burn. fast enough that empty out the trany.....most likely affecting trany's clutches and else. get on their case if the forgot the o2 sensor maybe the clamp too.

while back I REPLACE WATER PUMP TIMING BELT AND SEALS. PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER AND DROVEW THE CAR... ABOUT 50 MILES CAR HEAT UP DRIVE TO A PARK RUN ALL OVER TO GET WATER UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO COOL IT DOWN AND THEN SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE BY THEN A HAD INSPECT THE CAR. I FOUNT THE LOWER RADIATOR HOSE LOOSE, I FORGOT TO PUT THE CLAMP ON, THE HOSE WAS ON BUT FROM THE PREASURE IT CAME OFF LOOSING ALL THE WATER. SO YOU IMAGING BUT I WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE COUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. 2 YEARS A GO STILL RUNNING FINE.. AND WANT TO STAY THAT WAY. BUT THING HAPPEND TO ANYBODY. A TRANY IS VERY EXPENSIVE IT WASN'T YOUR MISTAKE SO WHY YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.....

I had the hose split after adding a temperature sending unit to the hose going into the radiator. Lots of smoke and car needed to be pushed off the street.

Roo,

I'll guess that someone got distracted and didn't tighten a hose clamp. The truth will be known by the first guy to look at it. I hope you are there when it goes on the rack.

Hope you are back and running soon!

I can almost guarantee if you are not there when its on the lift you will not be getting compensated at all for their more than likely error. Had a very similar thing happen at fitzgerald and some engine seals. BE THERE WHEN IT GOES ON THE LIFT!!!More then likely they will say "oh we can't have you in the shop, bla bla bla..." be very very weary of this situation you could very easily get bit by a $3500+ bill for a new auto... Just my thoughts, course i have been seriously burned by a dealer before..

*Update*
 

Well, I got to work this morning, and they had already 'repaired' the car.

They brought out the hose which had "Blown"...

I wish I had that hose. I'd take a picture of it and post it up here. It looked "blown" alright. Like they took it off the car, then used a razor blade to neatly "BLOW" the hose (which was replaced ~1yr ago) to show me. I may have been born at night, but it sure wasn't last night!!

They amazingly had 'a spare' in stock!! :eek: Stupidly enough, they thought they could pull one over on the parts guy...I checked how many had been invoiced in the last month... a big fat 0.

When I took it over to LIC Motorsports, and placed it on the lift, we found out that they just cut a section of ?? hose and clamped it in there. I have to order the right hose, and have the guys @ LIC Motorsports install it.

These guys didn't even bother to wipe down the underside of the car!! I'm getting a headache from the fumes burning in my passenger compartment, and worry every time I stop the car (at home, etc.) when I see the smoke coming up from the wheel wells and from under the car.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

At least the car runs. Adam @ LIC Motorsports, whose guesses I believe over other peoples' "facts" has assured me that for the time I was out of tranny fluid, that I PROBABLY didn't damage the transmission significantly.

:)

good to hear that ! in my opinion never trust a mechanic, after work is done, check everything later by yourself, hoses, clips, etc.................. i know the hose blew but, i am pretty sure it had some signs of use :rolleyes:

Roo,

That's the biggest headache, getting someone to do a good job, and get it right the first time.

I've learned to drape a towel inside my driver door on the rest. They don't wash their hands before climbing in, and that escaine just can't be cleaned to look new.

I know what you mean about smelling trans smoke in the car, been there.

Take it to one of those over and under car washes, that will help alot. I know I don't need to mention it, but after what you've been through I will, remember to turn off the radio!

Good luck!

Sounds like they just cut generic hose off a roll for you.

If the hose is rated for ATF and isn't kinked or otherwise stressed, you should be good to go.

dcb