Transmission problem
05-09-18, 05:09 PM
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Transmission problem
I got a trans flush and filter change at the dealership and the next morning when cold my car started to make a whinning noise that would increase with speed and change with RPM's, I took my car two times to the Lexus dealership so they could take a look at it, the car even spent the night there so they could listen to it while cold and the answer was two times the same: Alternator but nothing to worry about... I knew for a fact that the root of the noise was related to the transmission so I bought me a mechanic's stethoscope and no surprise the noise comes from the trans dipstick tube. Took my car to a transmission shop and they told me that they have to tore the transmission apart to get to the pump and that it will cost almost 4 grand. The car is in great shape, it's an 03 with a hair over 100.000 miles, 5 months ago I spent almost a grand in timing belt and water pump and I really don't want to get rid of it but there's no way I'm spending that kind of money in a car that old. I told the trans shop to change the filter and fluid hoping that the filter installed by Lexus could be faulty, incorrectly seated, etc...
So my options now are:
Pray that it was a faulty or incorrectly installed filter starving the pump
Spend 4 grand in a rebuild (not gonna happen)
Sell an otherwise perfect car with low miles for pennies.
I sold a newer BMW because I wanted a more trouble free and cheaper to maintain luxury car... I'm stumped.
What would you suggest I do if it ends up needing a rebuild? Call the service manager at the dealership? Suck it up? Sell the car?
p.s. The car shifts just fine, no slipping, no lag, no hard shifts, just the noise.
Thanks.
So my options now are:
Pray that it was a faulty or incorrectly installed filter starving the pump
Spend 4 grand in a rebuild (not gonna happen)
Sell an otherwise perfect car with low miles for pennies.
I sold a newer BMW because I wanted a more trouble free and cheaper to maintain luxury car... I'm stumped.
What would you suggest I do if it ends up needing a rebuild? Call the service manager at the dealership? Suck it up? Sell the car?
p.s. The car shifts just fine, no slipping, no lag, no hard shifts, just the noise.
Thanks.
05-09-18, 05:24 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Go for a 15 minutes drive, then check the transmission fluid level with the engine running. Report back.
05-09-18, 05:29 PM
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05-09-18, 05:49 PM
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Maybe they put the filter in wrong for example if you leave out the O-ring or install two of them (because you forgot to remove the old one) then you won't have proper oil pressure. You're convinced the transmission is making noise but sound travels would not hurt to remove the alternator belt and start the engine.
Was the engine running when you checked?
Was the engine running when you checked?
05-09-18, 05:54 PM
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Maybe they put the filter in wrong for example if you leave out the O-ring or install two of them (because you forgot to remove the old one) then you won't have proper oil pressure. You're convinced the transmission is making noise but sound travels would not hurt to remove the alternator belt and start the engine.
Was the engine running when you checked?
Was the engine running when you checked?
05-09-18, 06:31 PM
#6
Have you pulled and changed the filter yet? Because that would be the first step. Removing the belt and double checking alt. like L2K said is not a bad idea unless you are a pretty experienced mechanic and positive. Sound can travel easily through solid components and it takes some checking in multiple places with a screwdriver or stethoscope to be sure.
I have heard of aftermarket filters causing fluid starvation so this is not an unreasonable theory. The U150e is a pretty robust transmission. I would have the shop it’s at check or change the filter (or take it to the dealership and make them do it) and then see what’s going on. Starting with revisiting the LAST thing you changed is always the FIRST thing you do when things suddenly go wrong. You are talking about selling the car or paying $4k (about 3x what a replacement transmission would actually cost, honestly), but it doesn’t sound like basic diagnostic steps have been taken?
I have heard of aftermarket filters causing fluid starvation so this is not an unreasonable theory. The U150e is a pretty robust transmission. I would have the shop it’s at check or change the filter (or take it to the dealership and make them do it) and then see what’s going on. Starting with revisiting the LAST thing you changed is always the FIRST thing you do when things suddenly go wrong. You are talking about selling the car or paying $4k (about 3x what a replacement transmission would actually cost, honestly), but it doesn’t sound like basic diagnostic steps have been taken?
05-09-18, 07:40 PM
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Have you pulled and changed the filter yet? Because that would be the first step. Removing the belt and double checking alt. like L2K said is not a bad idea unless you are a pretty experienced mechanic and positive. Sound can travel easily through solid components and it takes some checking in multiple places with a screwdriver or stethoscope to be sure.
I have heard of aftermarket filters causing fluid starvation so this is not an unreasonable theory. The U150e is a pretty robust transmission. I would have the shop it’s at check or change the filter (or take it to the dealership and make them do it) and then see what’s going on. Starting with revisiting the LAST thing you changed is always the FIRST thing you do when things suddenly go wrong. You are talking about selling the car or paying $4k (about 3x what a replacement transmission would actually cost, honestly), but it doesn’t sound like basic diagnostic steps have been taken?
I have heard of aftermarket filters causing fluid starvation so this is not an unreasonable theory. The U150e is a pretty robust transmission. I would have the shop it’s at check or change the filter (or take it to the dealership and make them do it) and then see what’s going on. Starting with revisiting the LAST thing you changed is always the FIRST thing you do when things suddenly go wrong. You are talking about selling the car or paying $4k (about 3x what a replacement transmission would actually cost, honestly), but it doesn’t sound like basic diagnostic steps have been taken?
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05-10-18, 04:01 PM
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Update on the transmission, I have the car again with me, they changed the filter and trans fluid (again) and while the noise is lower it is still there. The tech told me that they foung brass trimmings on the top of the filter screen... Other than the noise the car shifts fine, no delays, no bumps, jerks, etc. No clunk or other weird noises, "just" the pump noise.
My options are:
- Spend 4 grand to rebuild it.
- Drive it until it dies (if it does at all), then buy a used trans for $600, get it installed by a side tech
- Sell the car, take the loss and call it a day.
What would you do?
My options are:
- Spend 4 grand to rebuild it.
- Drive it until it dies (if it does at all), then buy a used trans for $600, get it installed by a side tech
- Sell the car, take the loss and call it a day.
What would you do?
05-10-18, 04:42 PM
#9
Lexus Champion
If it was my car I'd drop the pan and inspect, then install a new filter (genuine not aftermarket) fill with Royal Purple ATF or Amsoil. Then drive, if the tranny dies it dies.
05-10-18, 06:57 PM
#10
I would do the same - new OE filter (unless the shop sourced one, which is unlikely unless you gave it to them), and quality fluid. 3309 (the original TIV), top things like he mentioned, etc. I would also add a bottle of Lubegard Red. The ester oil tech in it is legitimate and it can help a lot in older systems or protect new ones.
Brass shaving mean thrust bearing or washer wear; only place to really find brass in the transmission. A certain degree of it is normal. However, it would be found in the bottom of the pan, and not against the bottom of the filter (it doesn't float), and certainly never on the top of the filter (it can't migrate backwards against flow through the torque converter and pump!). So something isn't quite accurate here, either in its appearance or location, or in the relaying of the information. Transmission shops love to sell transmission jobs. I'd get an accurate analysis from someone who doesn't have skin in the game - which is one of the reasons I do my own work, including transmission rebuilds if/when necessary.
Worst case, drive it until it fails and then for $1200 to $1500 you can put in a used one and be confident it will last - these are very reliable units and widely available cheaply. This is not a common situation.
Brass shaving mean thrust bearing or washer wear; only place to really find brass in the transmission. A certain degree of it is normal. However, it would be found in the bottom of the pan, and not against the bottom of the filter (it doesn't float), and certainly never on the top of the filter (it can't migrate backwards against flow through the torque converter and pump!). So something isn't quite accurate here, either in its appearance or location, or in the relaying of the information. Transmission shops love to sell transmission jobs. I'd get an accurate analysis from someone who doesn't have skin in the game - which is one of the reasons I do my own work, including transmission rebuilds if/when necessary.
Worst case, drive it until it fails and then for $1200 to $1500 you can put in a used one and be confident it will last - these are very reliable units and widely available cheaply. This is not a common situation.
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