Transmission/clutch problem -- VX bucks!

[VXorado]

Get this, a couple of weeks earlier I went to an authorized dealership in San Antonio, TX for diagnosis. They said I needed a new transmission and quoted me $7,000. A day later they lowered it to $6,000. And a day after that they had a used transmission for $3000 with about 130,000 miles on it, similar to the miles on mine. I paid $90 diagnosis fee and brought her home. For $90 the dealership didn't even bother to check my transmission fluid. Was this an attempt to rip me off? Maybe they think Vehicross owners will do anything to keep their beloved car rolling. A**holes.

WTF

I'm checking my ATF level this week and possibly bringing the VX in for service. I have a slight whine (sounds hydraulic) and its not the PS pump so i'm thinking it may be the trans fluid pump due to a low ATF level. Hopefully nothing serious because I don't want to replace the trans yet.

[hxdiaz]

Ldub, I was thinking the same thing. Did they drain my tranny of 3 quarts? Was I sabotaged?

This local tranny shop advertises free diagnosis. Sounds great, right. I took it in just over a year ago and wanted new tranny fluid and filter. They said don't do it. My fluid was old and burnt. New fluid, even a single quart, could cause problems. They've seen it happen to others, they said.

Here's a clue for sabotage, the shop manager suggested I drive it until the tranny completely fails, could be a week, a month, a year or more, who knows. Come back and we'll rebuild it, he said. When I asked, he quoted about $3,500.

A few months later my tranny started acting kooky, bucking between gears 1 and 2 was the first symptom.

It's hard to believe they would do this, drain 3 quarts, waiting for me to return for a rebuild. How would they know I would even go back to them. There are dozens of other tranny shops around. I did my online research/due diligence and this seemed to be the best tranny shop in town. Everyone loves them.

Well if they did do it, just over a year later I went back to them for a 2nd opinion to the dealership who wanted to sell me a new tranny, they put the 3 quarts back and didn't even charge me for it. Now my tranny is shifting normal again. It doesn't make sense.

[hxdiaz]

ColoradoVX, let us know if your tranny was just low on fluid after all and your tranny now shifts normal again. I'm curios to know, as this was my solution to the similar tranny problem we were both having.

[Ldub]

Ldub, I was thinking the same thing. Did they drain my tranny of 3 quarts? Was I sabotaged?

It's hard to believe they would do this, drain 3 quarts, waiting for me to return for a rebuild. How would they know I would even go back to them. There are dozens of other tranny shops around. I did my online research/due diligence and this seemed to be the best tranny shop in town. Everyone loves them.

Well if they did do it, just over a year later I went back to them for a 2nd opinion to the dealership who wanted to sell me a new tranny, they put the 3 quarts back and didn't even charge me for it. Now my tranny is shifting normal again. It doesn't make sense.

I dunno...

Were they , like...really nice when you spoke with them?

Did they make you feel...almost like they were doing you a favor, by bumping you up the list?

Ok...I don't wanna be the bearer of bad tidings, but...

If they put the 3 qts back in...it's just a matter of time, after it's been run low for that long, that they know you'll think of your " tranny buds" who topped up your red fluids for "free", when it's time for a rebuild.

I'm just giving vague examples of what I've had tried on me...

Bad experience all around.

Hopefully, your guys are on the up & up.

[hxdiaz]

Yeah, this could all be a big conspiracy, I'm thinking. These guys are pros.

By the way, the shop said if there was any damage done due to running low on tranny fluid for so long and/or introducing new fluid, it would show between 200 to 500 miles. We'll see. I'll feel better after 1,000 miles.

If my tranny does eventually fail, I'm looking for a new shop. F*** them.

And yes, they were extra nice to me.

[hxdiaz]

One last thing, I reminded the manager I was here a year earlier and they made no mention of low tranny fluid. If it was, they would have topped me off right? I should have been fine.

He said I must have a leak. I said I have no leak marks on my driveway. He said maybe while I'm driving it leaks and blows away. 3 quarts leaked out, I said. I shook my head. He said tranny fluid doesn't burn up or disappear like engine oil. It can only leak. This all sounds very suspicious.

[rsteinmetz70112]

Transmission Fluid that leaks out and blows away would leave a trace/stain somewhere under the car.

[Cris]

Put new tires on it. happened to me about the same millage. just replace your woreout tires

[mrtew]

Well my slipping got worse suddenly and wouldn't even really hardly go in 2nd gear and wouldn't go at all if I let it go up to third gear. Had to get it rebuilt to the tune of $2800 Canadian dollars but it seems like a really good shop that let me come in and see it apart and showed me in detail what failed and what they were replacing etc. The only problem is now that Check Engine light and the Check Transmission light are on and they weren't before!?!?!?!? Geez.