Transmission Full of Water
 

So to follow up on my issue with my transmission not engaging. After taking my transmission to a Transmission specialist (Mr. Transmission) it seems as though my transmission is full of water. I knew there was condensation in the unit, as when I replaced the fluids in May they were of a milky colour. However, obviously the problem has worsened since then.

The gentleman gave me an estimate of $450 for the labour to pull it out and take it all apart and whatnot. And then said that whatever needed to be replaced would be on top of that. The parts he said would need to be replaced for sure are the torque converter and any friction material. According to him, those are the main parts that water can affect. Apparently the water can get into the torque converter and cause the clutch inside it to expand, preventing it from functioning properly. He said that the base price will be $450, but I should prepare to spend possibly up to 1 or 2k. He said that unfortunately, I won't truly know what needs to be done until the unit is taken apart. Only then can he give me an estimate that is accurate. On the bright side, they have a full warrantee on all their work, so that is something to rest easy about.

Regardless, I have to decide if I want to give him the go ahead. He said there's no rush, and if I say yes today it'll be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

My other options aren't much better. I can try and drive it home to my local LR mechanic, but that's a 2.5 hour drive away. Additionally, he is not a transmission specialist, so I don't know what he'd end up doing. Or I can do nothing, and hope that it doesn't evolve into a bigger problem. Although I think that's a bad idea, and I don't really want to do that.

Either way, it's no good. What are everybody's thoughts on this matter? Does it sound like I'm getting ripped? I have a general understanding of transmissions, but to no degree that I could tell if this is fair or not.

Many Rovers have a tranny vent tube that leads up to the firewall area. If blocked by insect nests or mud chiggers, no way for condensation to escape. I'd check that tube and any banjo bolt it attaches to; and drain and refill the tranny with short trips in between like three times, to dilute any that is left behind. Of course, I'm not 100% sure your Range Rover has said vent tube. Attached page shows tranny layout, the breather tube is the item with a "3" in it (not what the arrow for the 3 is pointing to). Banjo bolts have a habit of getting mud clogged, so you would want to remove that and be sure it and line are cleaned out.

Now for the kind of money involved, I'd be tempted to get a used one from a disamntler or the boneyard. Most Rovers in the boneyard are there due to engine overheating.

I don't disagree with the shop pro about water eventually causing damage. But a lot of Rovers romp thru flooded areas and streams, and sometimes have to drain fluids and replace.

you can buy a used transmission for about $350-$400, but a used one and have him swap it out. You should also check your vent water has to be getting in some where and that would be the easest place for it to get in.

The problem there is then I have no warrantee. If I buy a used one, have him swap it out (I still have to pay labor), and then it doesn't work for any reason, I'm back in square 1.

Savannah, I agree with you. I will definitely have the breather tube checked. I have been told though that if the torque converter is not replaced, the water will still be present, as it can hold a cup or two itself. As such, I would probably pay the same amount to drain the tranny multiple times as if I just replaced the tc itself. I unfortunately have nowhere and no tools to work on the vehicle myself until May at the earliest. Quite the conundrum I'm in.

The torque conveter fluid is part of the tranny fluid, and pumped around by the system. Just not easy to drain. So multiple drain and refills gets most all of it out. Some guys with restricted space seek out a curb in the warehouse district and pull up there. Auto parts stores usually accept the drained fluids. Some shops might even be able to hook up a flush machine to get it all in one trip. I'd look at the BG Findashop - Search for an authorized BG service center near you! site and see if one of these guys is nearby.

Try to avoid this guy.

Get the vent tube handled then find someone who can do a complete tranny flush, to remove all the water and then refill it. It is a 50/50 chance your tranny may still be OK and is worth the try.

all the clutches are ruined as is the the valve body. Get a used one, the rebuild alone will cost more money. The tranny guy won't guarantee squat and keep getting you for money.

Yeah, the clutches don't like water.
There's a thread on a couple of the forums by one of your fellow Canadians, even in Ontario I think, who drowned his DII autobox and the clutches were trashed. I think he even drained it completely. He ended up buying an R380 from Ashcroft and converted his.

I wouldn't necessarily be afraid of a used tranny. They seem to be one of the most robust components on these trucks.

Too bad these convertors don't have a drain, it would make it easier for you to find out if a full fluid flush will do the trick. Getting a power flush is tricky because most "inexpensive" shops won't have the correct adapters for the Rover. A tranny flush isn't that cheap and it would suck if you spent the money just to find out the tranny was junk. Since you have issues with the transmission already, you have to decide if it's worth the chance.

You can find a used one with a 30-90 day warrantee if something is going to happen it will happen then. Unless you beat on your truck.

I will pretty much bet you that once your guy opens yours tranny he will tell you its done for and you will have no choice but to pay the 2k to rebuild it.

Not that there is anything wrong with your tranny but that is how a lot of trannyshops work. They don’t tell you they have to take it apart to proper diagnoseit, then they tell you the problem. But what they dont tell you is your tranny is apart now; you can’t just drive out.

That larger shop that begins with A***** paid a huge fine when they got caught, doing business nationwide like that.
I think is was dateline or someone that did a show on them. I sure your guy is trustworthy and would do anything like that.