So a gal that my wife works with wanted me to take a look at her leaking transmission. Evidently her CEL came on, so she took it to her usual mech- he found a TCC related performance code (don't know for sure). He cleared it and sent her on her way. As she was leaving, he noticed a puddle of ATF where she was- he followed her home and checked it for her- wasn't on the stick. After getting a suitable ATF, he dumped 2 qts in and told her that he didn't have time to look at it so I got the call. She drove it 20 odd miles to work the next day, then to her daughter's house where I agreed to pick it up (next town over, about 15+ miles for me). Brought a trailer and 2 quarts of WS ATF just in case. Checked the ATF- none on the stick- dumped in 2 qts which brought up to the middle of the range. Looked under the car and nothing was running out... I said screw it and drove it to the shop so I didn't have to mess around with the trailer. Got there safe and sound. Finally got it in and inspected- appeared to be coming from in between the engine/trans. Hmmm... converter seal? Odd for the mileage. (less than 70k). Checked codes- none. Checked for line pressure- normal. Something nagged me though. The fact that a gallon of fresh ATF had been dumped in but the oil still looked grey ish. (I had a similar experience on a different Toyota while working for another shop). Figured lightening wouldn't strike twice.
Anyway- got the go ahead to replace the seal. Started tearing it down, got the trans out and went to pull the converter out- but it didn't want to come... &*%$#$... I know where this is going! Finally wrestled it out. Hmmm. Copper colored band on the converter snout. Rut rohhh. Popped the seal out there sat the converter bushing, loose as a goose in the pump!
A few pics detailing my misadventures:
Don't mind my redneck engine support rig- I'd rather not spend a few hundred bucks on a engine support when I can rig one for free. I don't need them often enough to justify the cash outlay. Anyway- the subframe is either down or ready to come down at this point.
The converter snout
Converter bushing- note the odd wear pattern on the outside. Of course there should be none.
Severe wear in the pump housing. Look to the left of the center of the input shaft and you'll see a light grey shadow- only it's not a shadow. It's actually a wear groove.
Lastly, the hole in the engine bay left behind
So now I get to quote her some options. Reman or used.
Anyway- got the go ahead to replace the seal. Started tearing it down, got the trans out and went to pull the converter out- but it didn't want to come... &*%$#$... I know where this is going! Finally wrestled it out. Hmmm. Copper colored band on the converter snout. Rut rohhh. Popped the seal out there sat the converter bushing, loose as a goose in the pump!
A few pics detailing my misadventures:
Don't mind my redneck engine support rig- I'd rather not spend a few hundred bucks on a engine support when I can rig one for free. I don't need them often enough to justify the cash outlay. Anyway- the subframe is either down or ready to come down at this point.
The converter snout
Converter bushing- note the odd wear pattern on the outside. Of course there should be none.
Severe wear in the pump housing. Look to the left of the center of the input shaft and you'll see a light grey shadow- only it's not a shadow. It's actually a wear groove.
Lastly, the hole in the engine bay left behind
So now I get to quote her some options. Reman or used.