So I am on a very extended road trip (left "home" in Florida on April 23 - for good; family dysfunction - you know the story). Currently in Lexington, KY.

Wednesday: My computer semi-croaks.

Thursday: While running my friend's brother to school and the computer to a doctor, transmission bucks the car 3-4 times downshifting from 2nd to 1st. "oh God" The repeated shaking felt more like a weak braking with a bad brake grip. (Car was relatively cold, by crude temp gauge). No dash fault.

Attempt to replicate without success.

Go to lunch later, attempt to run errands (in need of birthday gift for friend and Earl Grey tea for myself). When pulling into the Kroger, I am easing into the parking spot with my foot off the accelerator. Car stops. Did I hit a little parking barrier/curb? No. Engage reverse. Nothing. Foot on accelerator. Oh hello, engage! No dash fault. Park car, buy tea, keep calm.

Proceed to call round transmission shops. Scheller Automotive is willing to take it and is happy to have me drop it off. I bring the car (sans a problem) under its own power.

Friday morning: "We had our mechanic drive it around a bit trying to replicate what you reported. It took awhile, but we got a rough shift and pulled a code.* We're ordering a sensor [output, if I recall correctly]. $650 for a fluid/filter change, sensor, labor. We don't think that given the low mileage (49.5k) that there's mechanical damage, but we won't know until we drop the pan and inspect the fluid."

Those of you of faith, light a candle. I am hoping for the best and bracing for the worst. I am hoping that Tuesday will see my car on the road. My next stop is San Diego for an old friend's wedding on May 21.




*Hearing that was slightly like (I imagine) watching a doctor prod your child's broken limb asking if it hurts. YES! FIX IT!

 

Fun

 

Godspeed

 

Holy crap, not cheap for the fluid filter change - I assume that sensor is a huge pain to replace? Good luck!

 

The fluid/filter component is robbery at $450, but it's cheaper than a tow to Louisville + work.

 

Transmission is dead. They dropped the pan and found "metal chunks," the largest being "the size of a pencil eraser."

$6,000 for a rebuilt transmission from the dealer. $4,500 for a rebuilt unit from their people.

Sourcing a used one will run somewhat cheaper. I am opting for a rebuilt at this time.

They are unwilling to rebuild my transmission, citing potential damage to the casing.

Thoughts?

Edit: Car has 49,550 miles, for the curious.

 

Is that $4500 to R&R AND rebuild?

 

I say go for a used trans. They can easily be found for under $1000. If your area is anything like mine, there are shops that will remove the old trans, rebuild the one you give them, and reinstall it for $1500. Usually they give you a break if you give them the old trans, but in your case they wouldn't do that because that can't rebuild it and sell it.

Granted, the transmissions in these cars might be a major pain to take out/put back in, and that might be the reason for the high price. Maybe someone else can chime in about that..

 

Lexington KY is not apparently like other areas, and my luck/business acumen is awful, from the sound of it.

Spoke with them today again.

The "real" prices:

$6,000 + shipping/labor from the Louisville Jaguar dealer.

$6,200 including shipping/labor for the rebuilt core (3 year/36k miles warranty). This includes shipping my core out - somewhere.

$3,800 all in for a used transmission with 65,000 miles (incl 6 month warranty)

I opted for the $3,800 option. I will have the valve body upgraded at a later date.

What does "R&R" mean?

Context: I am very tired today. My move back to the US from New Zealand in mid-Feb has resulted in things going from bad to worse. Employment has not been forthcoming, a temporary stay with family became unendurable - some still haven't gotten over my being gay, among other (non) 'faults.' So I took to the road to explore some opportunities and see some old friends. While multi-thousand dollar car issues are (fortunately) affordable and a fact of life in this car segment, they are very unwelcome at this particular time.

 

R&R is removal and replacement. $3800 is not ridiculous if it includes R&R. I hope this is the end of your problems for a while.

 

Sorry to hear man But hey.. Sometimes bad things happen in life. All you can do is deal with the situation, and move on. Tomorrow is a new day

 

While I appreciate the sentiment, that saying inspires more apprehension/"now what?!" than hope.

 

I know what you mean. Every time I go more than 10 mi from home I'm listening for a problem.

 

Make sure they blow out the transmission oil cooler lines.
Even it has low mileage, I'd HIGHLY recommend replacing the rear main oil seal AND the seal that's located about 2" above it. It's called a cooling system cap seal (even though the seal is for an oil galley plug)

 

While you're getting a used trans fitted - get the 'transgo' valved fitted to the block, it's a quick and cheap job to insure against it happening again in 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years.

 

I am not in a position to have things shipped to me, but I will see what I can do.