Transmission Shop Woes

[bsfins]

I've had transmission problems ever since it was "supposedly" rebuilt three years ago.It went back to that shop 4 times in the first six months.Well,I finally got tired of dealing with it,I decide it's time to get it fixed.

I got my tax refund back,I started to call around to get a quote on how much it would be to get it rebuilt.I Got a couple of places,$400-$500,a few $500 - $600,and a couple way out there around $750. It kept asking,this is a 1971 GMC Half ton pick up...$750?

So a couple of places asked what it was doing,Cottmans,being one of them.Hey they're nationwide,they offer a good warrenty,so I called them...They said $500 - $700....I took it over there for a test drive...The mechanic took it for a test drive,and said...I don't think It's bad,it seems like it's a small problem.It feels like the throttle body is sticking....It's shifting fine,a little hard...but I don't think it's bad,or ruined....He pulled the dipstick..looked at the transmission fluid,smelled it...It all looked good..Bright Red fluid....it had vacuum,the Modulater was fine.....I had a line that was leaking...

We go back to the shop,the mechanic tells the general manager what it was doing,and goes back into the garage area.I said so what's it going to cost to fix a sticking throttle body? Well...Blah,Blah,Blah....If it's the throttle body...about $100-$125.I asked worst case scenerio? He said a total rebuild...$800...He said let's not go there yet,Bring it in Thursday morning We'll drop the pan,take a look.If it's full of cluch parts,and metal then we'll talk about total rebuild...So I schedule it to be looked at Thursday morning.

Now I hop in the truck,and think...the price just went up from $500 - $700 to $800 in less than an hour...(not even left the parking lot yet,Still thinking) Didn't I see a Report on 20/20 like in 1988,where Arron's transmission shops would drop the pan on the Transmisson,throw some metal shavings in the pan,and bring it to the customer.The Transmission is shot,it needs a new one,or rebuilt...

So now I drive the truck back home....

Thursday morning (this morning) I have my mom follow me to the Transmisson shop,I take her truck drop her off at work,then back to the transmission shop.They tell me they'll take a look at it.I come home,about an hour later,the Phone rings.It's the Cottman's,Your transmission is burnt,it's got clutch parts,and pieces of metal in the pan.He told me that I could come and take a look.Now,I'm super skeptical...I go over there...He shows me a Pan,that had this thick grey liquid in the bottem,there was the filter....They show me these  little pieces of metal in my transmission pan.Same mechanic,the shop mananger comes over...to point out,the Bad looking Fluid,the Metal in the bottom...I ask him...so how much is it going to cost to rebuild it? He says...$850...I looked at him,and said Put it back together,It's not worth it...I can go buy another one of these trucks for that much..."Oh you'd be amazed at what your truck is worth...." I smiled...thank you
We chit chatted for a few minutes...

I take close notice as the mechanic puts the Pan back on my truck....See,3 years ago,I couldn't afford to have a shop take out the Transmission,rebuild it,then put it back in.I put the Transmission in myself 3 years ago....I scratched the Piss out of the transmission pan,because I was by myself,and i used my floor jack to help me lift it up into place.

Back to today...the Pans seems to have a lot less scratches in the bottom of the pan...no dents,it seems fairly new.....I don't think that was my transmission pan....

So tommorrow I get to go through all this song and dance again....Hopefully,with someplace more honest....

[jtex316]

GOOD for you, man.  Don't let those pieces of shit win your money like that.  I hate hate hate Auto Mechanics and Used Car Salesman. 

Everytime I go to get an oil change, the guy makes a pitiful attempt at trying to convince me to do this that and the other.  I say no.  Guess what, my piece of crap car still runs fine.

[Brian Fein]

I'm having transmission problems with my car.  I know the transmission is fine, I know its something like a leaky line or a bad fluid pump, or even not enough fluid.

I just know if I take it somewhere, they'll try to rook me for over $1000 for a rebuild.

I usually do all my car work myself for this very reason.

[Househead]

If I needed a new transmission, I'd probably just buy a new car. Not worth the repair considering my car is 10y old and has 130K miles.

I am getting a new timing belt put in Saturday. Called a bunch if places and ranged from $230 to $500.  It sucks not having a good, reliable mechanic who is not in for ripping you off.

[bsfins]

I'm like Brian,I do most of the work on my truck...but when it comes to transmissions...It's all gibberish to me....

I kind of figure,if I run into this again..I'm heading to a salvage yard,I'll buy one and take my chances that way.I admit,I dread trying to install the thing by myself..

[Phishfan]

Transmissions suck. I have a standard and had to drop the transmission once when replacing master and slave cylinders for my truck. Lying on your back using a floor jack is definitely not the best way to do the job.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

Cottman sucks......bottom line. I have not known anyone to get a decent job done by them. They are crooks and do terrible work and rarely if ever stand by their warranty. I took a vehicle there and my step-dad did as well. Neither of us were pleased with the work and they charged us out the ass. I have had numerous friends and family members swear them off for good. I found a little hole in the wall transmission shop who not only gave me a stellar deal.....they did a fantastic job on the transmission. Keep checking not everyone is a crook. Good luck B!!!!!

[Brian Fein]

I wish I could just have someone look at mine and be honest with me, not say "oh you need a whole new tranny" and try to sell me something for $1800 then rebuild mine and sell it to the next guy for $1200

I hate these dishonest a-holes.

[BeefStewert]

If I needed a new transmission, I'd probably just buy a new car. Not worth the repair considering my car is 10y old and has 130K miles.

Not sure I agree here.  Let's say your car payment is $400/month.  If you spend $1200 to rebuild a tranny and it gives you another year of use, you just saved 9 * 400 = $3600. 

I guess if by new car, you mean a used car that is new to you, that is a different story.

My truck is over 10 years old as well, but every time I think of getting a new car, this logic always changes my mind.  No payments is just such a wonderful thing.

[bsfins]

I agree with the no payments..it's so wonderful....I also look at ...Ok..I have a very old truck,the parts are getting harder to get, BUT....I replaced the engine,rebuilt the rear end,new Drive shaft,put in bucket seats,made my steering wheel,gloveboxdoor,dash,did some body work,new ball joints,tie rod ends drag link,ETC,ETc.....and soon to be a rebuilt transmission....

If I bought something else.It's just a whole different set of problems,I could have to replace the transmission 6 months from now...or blow the engine,or whatever.

[Spider-Dan]

I have a model year 2000 car and I had to have the transmission replaced in 2003, 3 months out of warranty.  $2600.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I have a model year 2000 car and I had to have the transmission replaced in 2003, 3 months out of warranty.  $2600.

That's when parts usually break down.  What I would suggest to everyone is to contact an extended warranty company.  Most charge like $1500 for 3 or 4 years coverage depending on the year and type of vehicle.  They will then allow you to take the car to any mechanic, and the mechanic will call and get the repair authorized for a $50 to $100 deductable.  It will provide peace of mind for older cars. 

[Househead]

Spider...what kind of car was it? I bet american.

[Brian Fein]

I have a model year 2000 car and I had to have the transmission replaced in 2003, 3 months out of warranty.  $2600.

Yeah, is it still the one I remember??

[GUATARICCAN]

I've had a Chevy Silverado for 7 years now and the only problem I've had (knock on wood) was with one of the extended cab windows. It had a bad seal, so when you were on 95 you could hear the air sucking in. Well I was lucky and it was still under warranty so they replaced both back windows for free. That sucked (not really) because mine were tinted, so I had to drive around looking ghetto w/ all tinted windows except for my two cab ones for awhile. Chevy baby! Like a rock.