Making sure I've diagnosed this right...

[Kris_H]

When we pulled the motor out of my GT a while back to have it built, we also pulled the trans. Once the trans was out, we pulled the stock tq. converter and in the process lost a good bit of fluid. While the trans was out, we installed a TCI 3000 stall. When we put everything back together and got the car running, it wouldn't move. It made sense since the fluid was low, so we pumped fluid back into the transmission until it seemed full.

I pulled the car out of the garage and it seemed reluctant, revving up quite a bit before moving. I thought at first it might be the new converter, but it just didn't feel right. I let the motor warm up and took the car around the block. I didn't get on it very hard since the motor's still brand new and I wanted to be sure everything was in good working order. By the time I got back to the house, there was a pretty awful smell coming from the car. It smelled like something (most likely the trans) was getting really hot...

I've since considered taking the car to the dealership to get the trans flushed and refilled, but I wonder if that's the right thing to do. The car is an '05 but has only about 27,000 miles on it. Should we just try and fill the trans some more or should the dealer look at it?

Thanks in advance for any pointers,

KH

 

[jasongt06]

Did you make sure that the converter was fully seated on the input shaft of the trans ?

 

[Kris_H]

A friend/mechanic actually installed it. I can only assume he had it seated properly, but I'll have to ask him to be sure. Would the car even drive if it wasn't?

 

[Mike Rousch]

Its just low on fluid, here is the way to add it.

Let the car cool down all the way, have it on the lift or jack stands and crank it up. Make sure the car is running during this process. also you only have about a 3 or 4 minute window to do this, the trans needs to be cold. Pull the pipe plug from the fill hole with the trans in park/neutral.. Fill the trans up until fluid starts to run back out the hole, put the plug in and your good to go.

 

[AlbertD]

I'm no trans expert but, was the tq converter filled with fluid before installation? I was always told at the shop to fill those guys up before installing them back in.

 

[Kris_H]

I'm no trans expert but, was the tq converter filled with fluid before installation? I was always told at the shop to fill those guys up before installing them back in.

Yeah, he filled it. Not 100% full I don't think, but he definitely put fluid in it.

 

[Kris_H]

So after tonight, we're pretty sure the tq converter is shot. Tough to say if it was messed up from running it while low on fluid or if it was bad when I bought it (got it with a 6-7K miles on it) so I'm going to have a trans shop look at it. We put more fluid in the trans using Mike Rousch's method and the car now moves when it's in gear and my foot's off the brake, it just rattles like crazy and still has some trouble getting into gear right away. Seems to take a few seconds. Hopefully rebuilding the tq converter won't be too pricey.

 

[GI Joe]

Sounds like the fluid is low. I'm nearly positive. The converter probably pulled alot through and going throught gears did too. Once it idles to warm ( Normal you will probably see. I would add one qt. You'll be safe there to find out.
Dave

btw I ordered those seats.

 

[Kris_H]

Dave,

Glad to hear you ordered the seats!

We added almost 2 quarts (yikes...it was low) and it made the trans act a lot more like it should. The chattering noise was as bad as ever though, so I think it might be too late for the torque converter. I think I'm going to have a shop look at it on Monday to be sure.

 

[tmcolegr]

Did you make sure that the converter was fully seated on the input shaft of the trans ?

+1

I'll bet the center is pushed out of the trans pump

 

[Kris_H]

I'm having a shop look at it on Monday or Tuesday. If it's not seated properly, what's the chance that it can just be removed and reinstalled properly and things being okay? I've made peace with the fact that something's probably broken, but if there's a chance that it's just not on there right and all is well otherwise, then great.

 

[fin1]

You should get the trany checked out too. Regarding the converter and trany... usually when one goes it can cause damage to the other.

 

[GI Joe]

I'm having a shop look at it on Monday or Tuesday. If it's not seated properly, what's the chance that it can just be removed and reinstalled properly and things being okay? I've made peace with the fact that something's probably broken, but if there's a chance that it's just not on there right and all is well otherwise, then great.

I highly doubt that is the case unless the guy really did not know what he was doing and then you would CLEARLY know it right away. Its not the kind of thing that would smoke/smell either. I have had 2 that I did not get seated well but thought they were. Once you get the bellhousing in place its clear there is a problem because the bell will fail to pull up tight. It will be 1/8 inch away from the block all the way around. You would have to force the bolt to go and the converter will be in a bind. It quit evident "on this particular transmission" if you miss the 3rd click. If all three are engaged but the 3rd one just barely it will go on but upon start up or in rare cases when ingaging lock up it will pop so hard you think you sheared a crank.
I'm betting against it being an issue of the converter not seated. That has been my experience.