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Instant loss of all Trans fluid...


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ghostman258
New User

Jan 29, 2017, 6:41 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1280 views)
  post locked   Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

I own a 1995 Saturn SW2 Wagon. 1.9L DOHC with Auto Transmission. Car only has 119K original miles. Never a single fluid leak.
This morning, less than 1/4 mile from leaving home, my above Saturn had a sudden and very rapid dump of all Trans fluid. I immediately nursed it 1/4 mile back home empty of all trans fluid.
This Saturn has a canister style trans filter. I jacked it up after getting home. It's such a mess with trans fluid I can't even tell where this massive leakage area is. I have ruled out the drain plug. (Drain plug is tight and sealed very well.)
Trans canister filter is sealed tight so I doubt it's from there. I doubt it's from the pan or any other gasket because those tend to start a slow drip leak. What could cause such a massive and rapid dump of all trans fluid? From never even a drip leak to a 5 second dump of all fluid? Also... I had to drive just 1/4 mile with no trans fluid. the last couple hundred feet home the Transmission was starting to slip VERY BAD. I parked and shut down, but could that short distance with no fluid have destroyed the transmission? It's a mess and I can't even tell where this huge leak is at:(


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 30, 2017, 1:28 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1263 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

Yes you can destroy a transmission that quickly. Hey - it's a 1995 model year if not in remarkable shape to redo that trans or just maybe find the source and get some more life out of it.
Find the source of the leak! A cooling line - something or an area where it comes from by filling it up no doubt and quickly shut down and if easy fix that and then you'll know more about if this one is all done with or not a lot better,


T



gsferraro
Veteran

Jan 30, 2017, 4:07 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1257 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

With a leak that bad, i would say either that spin on filter is leaking or a line(i've seen both leak) get some brake kleen, clean it down, put some fluid in and start it to find the leak. Gary


ghostman258
New User

Jan 30, 2017, 8:25 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1242 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

Yup, your right. Tonight I located 2 Trans cooling lines that both had dry rotted plastic fittings. The lines are good, but fittings that snap in to the trans we're loose. (No rubber gasket on those?) it seems like they would not seal. I thought those lines we're under pressure?
I had to remove trans mount and bracket, air intake, and even the battery shelf plate just to reach them. This Saturn is not as easy as my old Toyota to work on. (OMG! They use endless SAE and Metric nut and bolt combinations on this car like crazy.)
Either way when I seal the lines back up, then fill back up with fluid I'm pretty sure I will discover the trans is wasted. The fluid shot out so fast by time I got home I was driving 2 blocks with zero fluid. I had to push it in the garage tonight to work on because when I tried to shift into drive I get nothing... Like it's in Neutral gear. Maybe I will get lucky and after filling back up with some pressure returning it will kick in Drive. If not $2,500 to remove and rebuild. That stinks because the rest of the car and motor are in such flawless condition. 112K miles. This motor could run for 265K easily. Maybe it just wouldn't move because by time I got home no fluid was left in the trans. It's worth a shot to fix the fittings, fill and try to see if I wasted the trans.
Makes no sense... you can drive a car just 2 blocks with no motor oil in it and not destroy the motor if you shut down right awayUnsure


gsferraro
Veteran

Jan 31, 2017, 3:59 AM

Post #5 of 8 (1235 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

Hello,
I would fix the lines and drive it to see how it works, overall these transmissions are not that bad, the valvebody has issues that may cause a no reverse condition. Gary


ghostman258
New User

Jan 31, 2017, 6:40 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1225 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

Thanks Gary, I just got home with the new line fittings and about to connect back up, then fill and see what damage may have been done. If the Transmission is wasted does anyone have any tips where I could get a rebuild or new Transmission for a fair price?
I only paid $1,500 for this car, but other than this Transmission issue it's really in remarkable condition. I mean it's in spotless perfect condition and doesn't even burn oil. Even the interior is like new.
I just would hate to sell it for $500 bucks, which is about all I could get if it needs tranny work.


ghostman258
New User

Jan 31, 2017, 11:56 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1219 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

  
JUST FINISHED! THE TRANS IS SHIFTING GOOD:)
Whew! All that just for a couple two dollar plastic trans line lock fittings. I got lucky... I really thought I smoked that transmission.
(Major pain to get access to those cooling line fittings for sure.)


(This post was edited by ghostman258 on Jan 31, 2017, 11:57 PM)


gsferraro
Veteran

Feb 1, 2017, 5:11 AM

Post #8 of 8 (1212 views)
  post locked   Re: Instant loss of all Trans fluid...  

Hello,
Glad to hear its working good, i do more repairs on these transmissions than overhauls. Gary






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