Transmission Question

#1 11-01-2002, 11:25 AM

If a mechanic were to do a transmission service (drain the fluid, drop the pan, change the screen), then put 2-3 quarts of ATF in it (leaving it about 4-5 quarts short) and drive it down the street... how much damage could be done and how soon?

Hypothetically, of course.

CJ

Earthworm · #2 11-01-2002, 01:00 PM

Well if it were to be shifting fine then it shouldn't cause any harm for a short trip but the lack of fluid will cause the tranny to heat up much quicker than normal. Hypothetically.

#3 11-01-2002, 01:26 PM

It was a very short trip. The only strange behaviour (considering the source) was it took a long time to go into 1st. It doesn't seem damaged, but I'm perceiving a driveline "buzz" (sort of a very faint vibration) that wasn't there before. Of course, it may not really be there now either or was there all along.

CJ

Aredubjay · #4 11-01-2002, 01:37 PM

Why (hypothetically speaking, of course) would this hypothetical mechanic drain the hypothetical fluid from a hypothetical SVX and not hypothetically replace the hypothetical fluid with the correct hypothetical amount . . . hypothetically?

sfsvx · #5 11-01-2002, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay
Why (hypothetically speaking, of course) would this hypothetical mechanic drain the hypothetical fluid from a hypothetical SVX and not hypothetically replace the hypothetical fluid with the correct hypothetical amount . . . hypothetically?

Hypothetically fortunate for the hypothetical victim of this hypothetical malfeasance, the hypothetical mechanic and/or his hypothetical shop are hypothetically responsible for any hypothetical damage to this hypothetical SVX.

Hypothetically speaking, of course. Fortunately, it wasn't you and it wasn't your mistake.

(Doctor, I have this friend . . .)

#6 11-01-2002, 01:44 PM

I wasn't there for that part... I showed up just in time to tell him that the ATF goes in the transmission, not the front diff where he was trying to insert the funnel.

I further compounded the mistake by going to talk to the owner, rather than supervise the rest of the operation. This guy does happen to be a (supposedly) reputable mechanic at a (allegedly) reputable shop.

We'll see, depending on what my tranny does in the near future, what the tone of my next discussion is going to be with them.

He DID change my PS reservoir ORing for free though (while I watched)

CJ

Aredubjay · #7 11-01-2002, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dick Young

(Doctor, I have this friend . . .)

"THERE ARE EYES IN THERE!!!"

#8 11-01-2002, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dick Young

(Doctor, I have this friend . . .)

. . . watching porno and eating cheeto's???

Aredubjay · #9 11-01-2002, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cjoffe
I wasn't there for that part... I showed up just in time to tell him that the ATF goes in the transmission, not the front diff where he was trying to insert the funnel. I further compounded the mistake by going to talk to the owner, rather than supervise the rest of the operation. This guy does happen to be a (supposedly) reputable mechanic at a (allegedly) reputable shop.

We'll see, depending on what my tranny does in the near future, what the tone of my next discussion is going to be with them.

He DID change my PS reservoir ORing for free though (while I watched)

CJ

This reminds me of my days of writing news. "The mechanic allegedly failed to fill the transmission to its proper level, the customer said. He said he had stepped away for a moment and the mechanic allegedly attempted to fill the front differential with ATF. Upon realizing this, the customer allegedly corrected the mechanic, according to our source, who allegedly placed the funnel in the correct oriface of the car, he said."

#10 11-01-2002, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay

This reminds me of my days of writing news. "The mechanic allegedly failed to fill the transmission to its proper level, the customer said. He said he had stepped away for a moment and the mechanic allegedly attempted to fill the front differential with ATF. Upon realizing this, the customer allegedly corrected the mechanic, according to our source, who allegedly placed the funnel in the correct oriface of the car, he said."

Good technique!!!!

I really wasn't hanging over this guy's shoulder. They had the car for two days and I got there to pick it up as he was finishing. I walked into the shop to see him trying to stick the funnel into the wrong side of the tranny. I also had them replace the front axles.... how worried should I be?

CJ

Aredubjay · #11 11-01-2002, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cjoffe

Good technique!!!!

I really wasn't hanging over this guy's shoulder. They had the car for two days and I got there to pick it up as he was finishing. I walked into the shop to see him trying to stick the funnel into the wrong side of the tranny. I also had them replace the front axles.... how worried should I be?

CJ

Ron Mummert · #12 11-01-2002, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cjoffe
It was a very short trip. The only strange behaviour (considering the source) was it took a long time to go into 1st. It doesn't seem damaged, but I'm perceiving a driveline "buzz" (sort of a very faint vibration) that wasn't there before. Of course, it may not really be there now either or was there all along.

CJ

As a family tradition, I always had cars that leaked tranny fluid along with other fluids. I knew it was time to add a quart when it took 2-3 seconds to engage reverse when backing out of the garage. This went on for years with no ill effects. Of course, hypochondria can make things interesting.

Ron.

#13 11-01-2002, 08:19 PM

I resemble that remark!!!

Ron Mummert · #14 11-01-2002, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cjoffe
I resemble that remark!!!

Who said that? (besides you, just now) Was it Norm Crosby?
Groucho? I hate it when I can't remember old comics.

Ron.

#15 11-01-2002, 11:27 PM

Hmm... Curly?