transmission fluid dumped

ef87 · Post by **ef87** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:15 am

so i was at McDs drive through inching up slowing, i get up to the window to get my food and attempt to drive off and the engine spudders and will not upshift shift (2000 auto). there is a trail of fluid following the car up to the parking lot.

i check the transmission fluid and its bone dry. i have a friend take me to get some and put it in, start the motor 5 seconds later its pouring out from underneath.

i have not hit anything or anything like that. we have had some extremely cold/snowing weather.

what is the most probable cause of this and how much $ are we talking here?

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:15 am

Where exactly is it coming from underneath?

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:44 am

Check the rubber lines that go to the radiator. One has prolly failed. Any parts store should have cut to length ATF line and hose clamps. Replace both lines, if that is the cause. Doing it yourself, prolly less than $15 or $20.

ef87 · Post by **ef87** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:55 am

it looked like it was coming from the drivers side but it was after 10pm and 19F so i didnt really get a chance to look it over, but it looked like the jugular was cut after i seen all that red liquid freely flowing on the ground beneath it. (2 bottles of fluid)
i really hope it is just a hose, unfortunately the car is at my schools parking lot (right across the street from a dodge dealership..) so i dont have easy access to examine it.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:15 am

Seeing as you didn't hit anything noticeable enough to rip the oil pan off/gash a hole, I would bet on the cooler line. If they are original, the age alone is enough. There is a chance an axle seal tore, but It would need to be a pretty bad tear to dump that much fluid in a short time.

ef87 · Post by **ef87** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:59 pm

one of the guys from the dealership next door came over and looked at it and said the radiator tank is busted and needs to be replaced. there is a square metal piece connecting the hose and radiator together and he was able to take it and rock it back and forth, indicating its very loose. he said he had a friend selling a radiator he would give to me for half price of a new one. how much do those usually go for? he hasnt actually done any work yet, but he quoted the price to be $250 including parts and labor.. he said the dealership charges $100/hour but he would do it outside of work and charge only $50/hour. this to me says he is either trying to be nice or is just wanting to make a quick buck.

does his explanation sound plausible?

King Crab · Post by **King Crab** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:10 pm

I will tell you, that I just bought a brand new replacement from a parts distributor (One stop under your car) it's a generic replacement for my 2000 and it was only $100. I changed it out myself when I replaced my 5 speed manual transmission last month. Works great so far.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 8:52 pm

Doing it yourself is not too bad, but your "dilemma" would be draining the coolant in the parking lot, being harassed by the school for the mess etc. You can get it home by looping the line at the ATX. So it goes out and back in. Just don't drive like an idiot, and it will get you home no problem. otherwise it might overheat the ATX. Then you can work on it at home, or another place of your choice.

If you have basic tools: Screwdriver/channel locks/socket set, it isn't bad. I would get new hoses for the coolant too. The old ones might be damaged removing them. If they stick too bad, you can always carefully cut them to free them from the engine. Especially the lower water pump inlet one. (They tend to break being old, and plastic.)

So doing it properly yourself, you will have aprox $100 for a radiator, $16 for coolant, $20 to $30 for coolant hoses, $10 to $15 for ATX hose, and however much ATF needed.

So you are looking at around $160ish for all new stuff. If his price doesn't include fresh coolant/new hoses, it is only a matter of time before you are stuck again. Plus there isn't any really good way to check the condition of the used one internally, other than what you could see from the inlet/outlet holes.

List price on a Mopar radiator is $337.00 But if he is basing half price for a used one off that, it is still a bit ridiculous.