Lost all transmission fluid !!!

[Deleted member 138290]

So, I swapped the Tcc solenoid and put everything back as was and car ran spot on... went to Nottingham to drive a Hgv this morning and I was 6 miles away from my destination when I noticed the car becoming a little sluggish like clutch slip, anyway got to the depot and had to wait 20 mins for gate to be unlocked and then car drove into yard no problem. Same when leaving this evening but then less than a mile further and it would barely engage any gear..... 3 times I got stuck a traffic lights and then car would suddenly go but as I kept going the car just got worse and worse until I broke down and had to be recovered ! So got back home got engine upto 80c and dipped gearbox to find no reading whatsoever ?????? What on earth has happened ???? How could the fluid have leaked out ???? I could smell it had gone on the exhaust but smelt more like burnt clutch until it cooled off ! I’ve abs no idea just how it has all leaked out like that..... my guess is also another gear box now too !

 

[Petrol Pete]

If you did indeed drive it for a while without ATF in it , it's fooked. I would have thought the bottom of your car (from the plug back) would be coated in oil.

 

[markjay]

If you did indeed drive it for a while without ATF in it , it's fooked. I would have thought the bottom of your car (from the plug back) would be coated in oil.

As above.

Though given the cost of a refurbed box... might be wirth filling it up with ATF first, just to see what happens.

 

[merc85]

These box’s are very strong , they will lock themselves into 2nd gear wen the fluid is low.

Did you do the pilot Bush up correctly? And the sump pan too?

 

[Petrol Pete]

I agree with MarkJ ^^^ If you think all the ATF is missing Just bang 4 or 5 litres in the transmission and give it a try....

 

[Deleted member 138290]

Yea I’m sure everything went back together as was... when car wouldn’t at all i noticed semi auto wouldn’t work but stick would move from P-D no problem and w/s Button still worked but engine would only rev upto approx 1800 rpms as if in very limp/ safe mode ?? Yes will be purchasing 7+ litres of fluid and rechecking everything.... thanks for advise !

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Yea I’m sure everything went back together as was... when car wouldn’t at all i noticed semi auto wouldn’t work but stick would move from P-D no problem and w/s Button still worked but engine would only rev upto approx 1800 rpms as if in very limp/ safe mode ?? Yes will be purchasing 7+ litres of fluid and rechecking everything.... thanks for advise !

Good luck m8. Hope this works out for you.

 

[Deleted member 138290]

On the + side it is nothing to do with my work on the gearbox but I’ve taken several photo s of where it’s been thoroughly soaked with fluid..... looks like either a split in a pipe maybe and/or the bottom pipe connection to the rad cooler has leaked ?????

 

[W1ghty]

On the positive side there is no rust where the atf is

 

[Deleted member 138290]

On the + side it is nothing to do with my work on the gearbox but I’ve taken several photo s of where it’s been thoroughly soaked with fluid..... looks like either a split in a pipe maybe and/or the bottom pipe connection to the rad cooler has leaked ?????

 

[Deleted member 138290]

Here is the problem, can see fluid under the connection and looks like the plastic fitting has past it

 

[amazighman]

Maybe worth replacing the pipe , fill with new fluid , clear any errors and see , otherwise a good second hand box is the way to go.

 

[Deleted member 138290]

Well seems I’ve been very very lucky this time..... filled back up with fluid and gears seem to work fine and took car for a quick spin and all good currently.... that pipe was loose at the rad ?? I must have not quite got it in properly when I replaced the olde valeo rad some months ago and it’s popped out slightly ?? It’s abs solid back in the hole now so fingers crossed !

 

[merc85]

Those pipes can be a nightmare to push right home, Told you there strong box's!

 

[350cls]

When I had our s211 e320 transmission/ torque converter and radiator replaced I remember the transmission indie saying they can be a nitemare to remove and re install.

 

[merc85]

I got it wrong once with my cdi, and did exactly what the Op did drove it until it locked itself into 2nd, unknown obviously lol, Id be replacing those pipes too.