Holden Adventra transmission

[Guest]

Hi guys, I was travelling to Vic from nsw and the car started spewing out the transmission oil on the Eastlink freeway and the gears came to a halt.
Got moved (towed) by Eastlink and then RACV towed me to a mechanic in Richmond. We started the car there and it spewed out sludge from the inspection port in the bottom of the box. Then paid and got the car towed to Endeavour hills to my relatives and it's been here now since last night.
Any recommendations for a good auto transmission place around here?
PS I was about to get my car towed to RVO Automatics at 4 Egan drive in Dandenong when I read some bad reviews about them and cancelled the tow right at the door step. Wow, he wasn't happy.

 

[Guest]

Also forgot to mention that in December last year I had a transmission oil cooler installed, but when I pulled over and touched it, the thing was cool to touch which probably s says that the transmission oil wasn't getting into there?
Something has stopped the circulation.???

 

[reefer]

I wonder if there was a problem with a blocked filter..maybe responsible for you changing up to a new one ...just trouble shooting here..not sure if such a filter is in place on your vehicle..but if there was such a filter or is such a filter , then perhaps it just got worse and failed horribly. certainly seems like your touch test was telling you to have it re-looked at...I know..hindsight has 20/20 vision hope you get right mate.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Just a note. Auto's need regular oil changes. There comes a point when the the old oil has left that much deposits through the transmission that the day you're feeling flush (pun intended) enough to do a transmission flush the new oil will start to loosen the chunks of crud stuck in various places around the transmission.
Theses chunks, if they get stuck somewhere critical, like the valve body, and they often do you can kiss that box goodbye.

So if you have left that auto oil in there for way to long, even though there are no symptoms now, that box will be scrap.

So always regularly change your auto oil once it starts to darken or after the recommended interval. Heavy towing will shorten these intervals. A flush is preferred to a change, although more expensive but this will ensure the oil in the converter is replaced also. Also, always use the recommended oil - Dex II, III, IV, Mercon, Type M, 95LE or what ever of the million different flavors your particular trans takes.

 

[B5MECH]

Sounds like it blew the oil cooler in the radiator sludge is a oil water mix so the trany will be toast and needs the rad checking before a recoed one refitted...good luck
If your traveling your better off looking for an Aust wide Transmission service.......just in case warranty can be a world of hurt in certain circumstances

 

[old hand]

there was a GOOD PLACE AT Berwick just down Clyde Berwick rd first rd on the right over the train line they are next to the exhaust place we used them when we live there 18 years ago ,just found a business card they still may be there [casey transmission centre factory 4/20 enterprise ave Berwick 9769 5144 Evan Moore]as I said I found them good but that was many years ago hope this helps regards john :Y:

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies boys.
I had the transmission oil cooler bypass the radiator so the water mixed with the oil isn't the problem.
My last fluid change was about 30,000-35,000 klms ago.
I have been using the recommended oil in the full synthetic, but yes, I must agree that the sludge didn't get to flush out from my last two fluid changes.
I'm getting the car towed tomorrow to a auto transmission place in Hallam - Transtyle Automatic Transmissions in Hallam. Anyone, hear about these guys there?

 

[user 7268]

Diggin I ran a workshop for 28 years Hallam ........................... the answer to your question is don't venture there (being diplomatic here .......very diplomatic)

This place will help you out http://www.accurateautomatics.com.au/ never an issue in the many decades I dealt with them. I'd give them a call first and good chance they can shed some light on your issue before you have it towed.

3/10 The Nook, Bayswater North
03 97202111

If you have pumped the trans dry cooler would be cool as once oil stopped flowing thru it air flow over core wouldn't take long to cool it back to ambient temps. I'd have to agree with B5 regards sludge as water in oil is the only thing comes to mind that would create sludge ? But you say rad cooler has been by passed so a bit of a mystery. When on freeway where did the oil leak from ? Secondly to confirm it's not rad coolant contamination is your radiator still full or has it lost coolant ? Glycol and oil makes a beautiful sludge .................. if you actually mix some up and let it sit over night it sets like jelly :Y:

 

[B5MECH]

Diggin I ran a workshop for 28 years Hallam ........................... the answer to your question is don't venture there (being diplomatic here .......very diplomatic)

This place will help you out http://www.accurateautomatics.com.au/ never an issue in the many decades I dealt with them. I'd give them a call first and good chance they can shed some light on your issue before you have it towed.

3/10 The Nook, Bayswater North
03 97202111

There's the dude that knows :Y:
Radiator too, trannys need coolers, and if your towing you need two coolers ..........................................................................you by-passed it to make it last a bit longer ................
....................it's done now so make it right :lol:

 

[Guest]

Diggin I ran a workshop for 28 years Hallam ........................... the answer to your question is don't venture there (being diplomatic here .......very diplomatic)

This place will help you out http://www.accurateautomatics.com.au/ never an issue in the many decades I dealt with them. I'd give them a call first and good chance they can shed some light on your issue before you have it towed.

3/10 The Nook, Bayswater North
03 97202111

If you have pumped the trans dry cooler would be cool as once oil stopped flowing thru it air flow over core wouldn't take long to cool it back to ambient temps

Hi Bogger,
So I will need to ring this guy (Joe) in Hallam and cancel the tow, then ring Joe from Accurate Automatics in Bayswater.?

You sure they are the same Joe? He,he.only kidding.
So Joe in Bayswater does better work or what would be the biggest difference between these two workshops??

Gee, that will make it two tow truck cancellations.

 

[7.62marksman]

Just my opinion
Dont book another one until you know where you are going for sure and the car is booked in

 

[user 7268]

So Joe in Bayswater does better work or what would be the biggest difference between these two workshops??

As said I'm trying to be diplomatic here but probably purchased over a hundred transmissions over the years from Accurate Autos with no issue and to this day when I am now several thousand K's away still would ship a trans to them. I can't guarantee the price will differ but I can guarantee the quality of parts and workmanship will
In answer to your question ................... one doesn't purchase or use a service many suburbs away if the same service around the corner is as good.
But again give him a call first as he can probably at least give you some idea of what has gone amiss . Have you checked radiator level ? Not just header tank level actual radiator ?

You asked a question and the answer is one service I used once and once only the other I used for over 20 odd years and still do.
Marksmans also on the money ....................... they do tend to get upset watching their dollars being towed away

 

[Guest]

So Joe in Bayswater does better work or what would be the biggest difference between these two workshops??

As said I'm trying to be diplomatic here but probably purchased over a hundred transmissions over the years from Accurate Autos with no issue and to this day when I am now several thousand K's away still would ship a trans to them.
In answer to your question ................... one doesn't purchase or use a service many suburbs away if the same service around the corner is as good.
But again give him a call first as he can probably at least give you some idea of what has gone amiss . Have you checked radiator level ? Not just header tank level actual radiator ?

Hi Bogger,
Yes the radiator level is good and was checked. The engine oil is good. There was no warning until the gears stopped working and the car was just revving, then the smoke came and I immediately pulled over.
Ok, I'll can Joe from Bayswater first thing and talk to see what he will tell me what the problem can be.
You having taken that many transmissions without any issues is one very very welcome review.
Thanks mate, much appreciated.
PS
Is there anything you can tell me about Joe in Hallam that will help make up my mind or make it an easy decision to make will help me greatly.?

 

[user 7268]

Having lived and ran a business for near 3 decades in the area I know it well and the business activities there. Diplomacy will not allow me to say more as I won't slag off people over the net. Run with whom you wish just make sure you know what you are getting as there is reco and there is reco ....................... 20,000 K warranty no problem this second hand part will last 25000K so back in it goes ..................... a good shop will replace all parts known to fail so the rebuild will last a 100000 K plus ........... get the drift

Bit like last week on a trip to FNQ where I blew a tyre and pulled into a major brand tyre store in Charters Towers .................... $280 for a tyre I could buy at any other same brand dealer for $210 retail price ...................... yep just love being bent over :N: There are parasites everywhere that feed on the misfortune of others I'm afraid.

 

[Guest]

Ok Bogger, got ya loud and clear.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I ended up staying in Victoria for 1 1/2 weeks getting my transmission gearbox fixed which cost $3250.
I didn't have the luxury of time and ended up going with Transtyle Automatic Transmissions in Hallam, which was recommended by a family friend.
That price also included a tow.
They sure do know how to charge.
All up the cost was just over $3,700 which included a couple of tows and insurance.

 

[B5MECH]

As long as it goes sweet d4g, I've seen three times that on some tranys so not bad really...now get out and find the gold with it ...............it owes you big :lol: :Y:
Make sure you check your oil regularly now it's rebuilt....low oil kills pumps :Y:
Did the invoice list the parts that were replaced?. 8)

 

[Guest]

When they took it apart, they said the pump was gone, the torque converter was gone.
So he said they gave new heavy duty pump, converter, clutch packs and other little bits.
The tax invoice doesn't describe these very clearly.

Anyway, he says to replace transmission oil every 20,000klms and to use semi synthetic oil as it cleans the gearbox better than full synthetic, does that sound right to you?

 

[Guest]

How do you check the transmission oil for the right level when there's no dipstick? 8)

 

[B5MECH]

How do you check the transmission oil for the right level when there's no dipstick? 8)

Synesthetic oil....Tick :Y: ...did they tell you which brand they used?
Ohh...you can't check the oil...forgot that ones underside and has a plug to be removed then oil filled through it :8 sorry :8
If you see any signs of leaks get it checked......it can be done at home if you have the right tools.... 8)