Ran Transmission w/o fluid? Destroyed? Advice Please - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #1 01-23-2011, 11:10 AM

I rear ended a guy who overreacted and locked up his brakes on the freeway -nowhere to go but the rear of his car! My lower radiator support bracket was bent inward slightly so I was able to remove fan and drive car home as radiator was intact, or so I thought! Apparently, one of the trans line mounts must have cracked as my trans started to slip due to fluid loss on the way home! This was a fairly recent rebuilt unit built by a small Bay Area company who are renown for doing good work. Did I wreck this trans? I drove it about 2-3 miles at about 45 miles per hour when it was slipping -inertia was moving me along to get to a gas station. Should I just drain any leftover fluid in converter pan, refill and pray for the best? Any advice? Thanks!

scottmcphee · #2 01-23-2011, 11:21 AM

I think you're going to have to fill 'er up with ATF and just try it out. It's a $10 experiment before you put any more money into fixing the car. Bypass the ATF cooler in the rad with a piece of straight hose, clamped securely.

If it drives and shifts OK, get on with fixing the rest of the car. I'd change the ATF again and change the filter this time.

warmblood58 · #3 01-23-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmcphee

I think you're going to have to fill 'er up with ATF and just try it out. It's a $10 experiment before you put any more money into fixing the car. Bypass the ATF cooler in the rad with a piece of straight hose, clamped securely.

If it drives and shifts OK, get on with fixing the rest of the car. I'd change the ATF again and change the filter this time.

Yes, this was my next step, just wanted to weigh in with others who may have had previous experience driving with a dry trans

mike0000 · #4 01-23-2011, 11:46 AM

You may be ok, I had a similar situation with a c4 Ford trans. years ago. I lost trans. fluid to the point the car would not move, topping it off got it working again. Hope you have the same results.

Mike

leathermang · #5 01-23-2011, 12:57 PM

Yes, fill it up and try it... but I would first get rid of the fluid in it at this time..which very likely was overheated as its level declined....and change the filter before the test also....
Then as I filled it up.. I would put in Trans-x at the specified rate on the can... as hot fluid may have deposited varnish which you do not want in there and would affect the shifting... messing up the test of the actual trans... unless removed first...
Did I miss the part where you fixed the cause of the leak first ? LOL

Matt L · #6 01-23-2011, 01:03 PM

And for others who may find themselves in a similar situation:

If you notice that your auto box is slipping whilst driving, that means that it has been slipping and you hadn't noticed yet. Stop driving the car immediately and call for a tow. You can destroy the transmission in very few miles of driving, if slipping is present.

Or you might get lucky. I hope that the OP gets lucky. I suspect that due to the fresh rebuild, he will.

leathermang · #7 01-23-2011, 01:09 PM

OR at the very least keep a gallon or two of trans fluid in the trunk... just like you do correct oil for the engine and brake fluid... if tow is not available minimizing the time the item in question is low ( meaning stopping often on the way home to add a little and check the level ) can make all the difference... like thousands of dollars difference.... or perhaps turning the car to almost worthless just due to cost of trans rebuilds...

warmblood58 · #8 01-23-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

Yes, fill it up and try it... but I would first get rid of the fluid in it at this time..which very likely was overheated as its level declined....and change the filter before the test also....
Then as I filled it up.. I would put in Trans-x at the specified rate on the can... as hot fluid may have deposited varnish which you do not want in there and would affect the shifting... messing up the test of the actual trans... unless removed first...
Did I miss the part where you fixed the cause of the leak first ? LOL

Yes, have new radiator/trans cooler ready to go. I think I will go the transx route as I was worried about varnish -run it through and if it appears to be fine, I will flush again after a week or so of driving, add new fluid again and keep my fingers crossed that I another 100,000 or so from this trans -wish me luck! I was so impressed after the accident that the radiator was intact and not seeing evidence of other leakage, I wrongly assumed that all was well -oops!

Stretch · #9 01-23-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

Yes, have new radiator/trans cooler ready to go. I think I will go the transx route as I was worried about varnish -run it through and if it appears to be fine, I will flush again after a week or so of driving, add new fluid again and keep my fingers crossed that I another 100,000 or so from this trans -wish me luck! I was so impressed after the accident that the radiator was intact and not seeing evidence of other leakage, I wrongly assumed that all was well -oops!

Well pooh happens - you did what you could. Good luck with it.