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Transmission pan dropped. Is my trans cooked?

bndawgs

By bndawgs
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
Posted

Well, give it to me straight.  90k miles, original fluid. Should I start donating plasma to pay for a new transmission?

 

 

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MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted

To be honest, I've never dropped a transmission pan - I've always had the dealer replace the fluid and filter.
I would think you're good if you've kept up on regular transmission maintenance.
Do you have symptoms of a faulty transmission?

CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted

Does it feel gritty?

 

Kinda looks like metal/clutch material in the bottom of the pan. Either from torque converter clutch or the clutch packs inside the transmission.

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bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
On 11/5/2025 at 8:18 PM, MikeBMW said:

To be honest, I've never dropped a transmission pan - I've always had the dealer replace the fluid and filter.
I would think you're good if you've kept up on regular transmission maintenance.
Do you have symptoms of a faulty transmission?

 

Just started getting some hesitation on acceleration and so I was hoping that fresh fluid might fix the issue. But after draining about 7 qts and refilling and new filter, the issue is still there around 30 mph.  So back to the drawing board, but I'm thinking it's probably the torque converter.   

Edited by bndawgs
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mikeyk101 Senior Enthusiast

mikeyk101

Posted
Posted

If it is the torque converter, you need to address that, like yesterday. It's a short window from the torque converter going bad (breaking apart) and a new transmission. And I do mean short. 

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bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
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Posted
11 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

6 speed?

Yeah, 6 speed

3 hours ago, silveradosid said:

you have nothing to loose at this point, have a scanner hooked up and relearn the transmission. it is actually recommended when ever the fluid is changed

i assume that's with a tech 2 scanner?   at full throttle, it seems to shift just fine. it's when i am slowly accelerating that i'll get the hesitation around 28-30mph.  i guess a trip to the dealership for a diagnosis is in my future.  

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  • 4 weeks later...
bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

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Posted

Brief update on this, but I think changing the fluid accelerated my demise.  Tried to drive the truck the other day and the trans was slipping pretty bad.  Pump was also whining loudly.  So now worst case scenario.  Anyone have a shop recommendation in Northern Virginia area?  Was quoted 7500 by one shop.  

 

Terrible timing with the cold weather, but I'm also considering trying to tackle it myself. 

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

Start saving, you should have serviced it sooner. 

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bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, silveradosid said:

is not cheaper to get a reman from gm, on canadian sites it is 5k plus torque converter

The 7500 would be for parts and labor. Would also include replacing the rear main seal while in there. 

bndawgs Senior Enthusiast

bndawgs

Posted
  • Author
Posted
8 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Start saving, you should have serviced it sooner. 

Yeah, expensive lesson learned.  I'm now trying to figure out how bad I want to torture myself by doing it in my driveway. 

Atlas Senior Enthusiast

Atlas

Posted
Posted

I'd pay someone.

 

The whining pump is weird though. You did follow the proper fill procedure, right? You have to fill when warm so the thermostat is open and it sucks in fluid. Otherwise you'll think it's full when it's not. You said it was slipping before, but now with a whining pump that seems odd the pump would check out too.

SC4R3C120W Enthusiast

SC4R3C120W

Posted
Posted (edited)

identical thing happened to me, but i had the trans serviced at the dealer at 50,000 miles (fluid only), then 100,000 miles with filter. didn't make it another 1,000 miles before i started to slip gears around 28 - 35mph. Ended up replacing the trans for same cost. It took a while at the time, so dealer gave me a loaner for free for 2 weeks. 

 

I never towed and had pretty much only freeway mileage on it, but still failed. I'm getting to the impression that you don't touch these things unless needed. 

Edited by SC4R3C120W

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