Transmission problems....what have I done now?

Post by **pikngrn** » 18 Jun 2013, 04:06

I just bragged on how great my 850glt runs after the PCV replacement and the turbo oil return line/gasket replacement. No leaks no smoke! Then my daughter drove it for several days with no problems and then tonight it "lost acceleration" and she parked it. I came a few hours later & checked it out...no leaks or suspicious activity, it started right up, it drove and then I parked it and would not go into gear after that, forward or reverse. I shut it off & checked tranny fluid and it was runny light brown and overfilled . What did I do? Coolant is clean as is oil.
Gonna tow it to my generic shop & would love to tell them what to check. Any ideas?
Thanks!

Post by **pikngrn** » 18 Jun 2013, 04:28

Oh and FYI
*no codes at all.
*Fresh oil change after PCV job
*I have no idea what I'm doing

Post by **jblackburn** » 18 Jun 2013, 05:46

Sounds like the transmission cooler is leaking. Have the shop dump the transmission sump and thoroughly run new Dex III through it to flush out the TC as well. Then pressure test the radiator cooler.

Hopefully the transmission can be salvaged...but usually antifreeze is the end of em.

Post by **wheelsup** » 18 Jun 2013, 08:35

Yeah, the way coolant mixes with transmissions I would have expected a separate cooler mounted completely away from the radiator. Unfortunate many manufacturers still do this.

Post by **cn90** » 18 Jun 2013, 09:44

Do a simple drain + refill (about 3.3 qts of Dexron-III), and see what happens.
All you need is a 24-mm wrench (search forum).

However, I am afraid your transmission is going south.

Post by **pikngrn** » 18 Jun 2013, 12:48

How much should I expect to pay for a transmission rebuild?
I haven't had tranny trouble in 30 years.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 18 Jun 2013, 12:55

If you have the money for a rebuild it might be nice to have all the internals replaced but a tranny swap might be the cheaper option. I would call around and see what shops are charging for a rebuild and compare that to the cost of a transmission.

Post by **xHeart** » 18 Jun 2013, 13:41

pikngrn wrote:How much should I expect to pay for a transmission rebuild?
I haven't had tranny trouble in 30 years.

You could find another 855 for the cost of transmission rebuild.

Post by **pikngrn** » 18 Jun 2013, 18:47

I just remembered that it is mostly water in the radiator because I was afraid to put antifreeze until I knew I had no leaks. I had a hard time getting a heater hose to stay in before I started the PCV job. Would water mixed in hurt just as bad?

m96ag · Post by **m96ag** » 18 Jun 2013, 18:49

Probably not, I would still flush it out right away though.