Transmission problem
alphanu
01-11-2005, 05:10 PM
I have a 2000 Silhouette that will not shift beyond second gear. The dealer indicates that the 3rd clutch is out and I should have the tranny replaced or rebuilt. This happens the day before I arrange to have the head gasket replaced!
The estimate I got is about $2500 for parts and labor. Seems high or is this typical? The van has 110,000 miles and these are the first real problems I have had with it. Is it worth fixing? Or is the the beginning of the end. What gets me is I have been up to date with service and it just went. Unfortunately, a bad tranny will mess up any trade in value. I would like to get another 40K miles , that car is clean, and the mechanic seems to think the engine is sound. Is another 40K or 18-24 months a pipe dream or is it time to dump it? Any thoughts???
The estimate I got is about $2500 for parts and labor. Seems high or is this typical? The van has 110,000 miles and these are the first real problems I have had with it. Is it worth fixing? Or is the the beginning of the end. What gets me is I have been up to date with service and it just went. Unfortunately, a bad tranny will mess up any trade in value. I would like to get another 40K miles , that car is clean, and the mechanic seems to think the engine is sound. Is another 40K or 18-24 months a pipe dream or is it time to dump it? Any thoughts???
Century 2000
01-19-2005, 02:08 PM
Hmmm, sounds like it may be time to cut your losses. It sucks because with a bad transmission, you won't get a lot for your van. Of course, you may spend $2500 (BTW, that sounds reasonable) and then incur more problems (you already mentioned a head gasket). Transmission failure at 110,000 miles is kind of sorry, especially if you maintained it. I did this with my Intrepid, and it went to 177,000 miles. Of course, I now have a Buick Century which has exhibited transmission problems at 53,000 miles...no good fix for this.
I'd say get rid of it, cut your losses. Cars have poor resale value, and the resale on an Oldsmobile minivan will be worse than average (say, compared to any van that is not North American). However, if you choose to keep your vehicle, I would recommend replacing the tranny. When I had my Intrepid, I flirted with the idea of getting a new transmission. The mechanic recommended replacement because --
it's the same cost to have a transmission installed (at least a used one in good condition) as it is to have one rebuilt.
You can have your transmission rebuilt (which is already having problems), only to have other parts that are worn go out in another few thousand miles. Remember, they will fix the problem in your transmission, which you said was the third gear clutch. They will not replace all of the components in your transmission with new parts. So some parts will be new...the others will still have 110,000 miles on them. If 5,000 miles after your tranny was rebuilt and synchros started mashing, the PCS valve went bad, seals started leaking...well, that would be a bitch.
So I stand with getting rid of your vehicle. At 110,000, the mileage isn't extremely high...but isn't very low either. You will start having, most likely, more problems, even if you have babied your van. Things like electric windows/door locks failing. But try and find some other opinions, too, see what others think.
I'd say get rid of it, cut your losses. Cars have poor resale value, and the resale on an Oldsmobile minivan will be worse than average (say, compared to any van that is not North American). However, if you choose to keep your vehicle, I would recommend replacing the tranny. When I had my Intrepid, I flirted with the idea of getting a new transmission. The mechanic recommended replacement because --
it's the same cost to have a transmission installed (at least a used one in good condition) as it is to have one rebuilt.
You can have your transmission rebuilt (which is already having problems), only to have other parts that are worn go out in another few thousand miles. Remember, they will fix the problem in your transmission, which you said was the third gear clutch. They will not replace all of the components in your transmission with new parts. So some parts will be new...the others will still have 110,000 miles on them. If 5,000 miles after your tranny was rebuilt and synchros started mashing, the PCS valve went bad, seals started leaking...well, that would be a bitch.
So I stand with getting rid of your vehicle. At 110,000, the mileage isn't extremely high...but isn't very low either. You will start having, most likely, more problems, even if you have babied your van. Things like electric windows/door locks failing. But try and find some other opinions, too, see what others think.
proteks
01-21-2005, 08:07 PM
Please inform us of the decision....
Mine is a 97...Had the intake problem at 80, and 10,0000. Transmission and heater core at 130,000. Van nearly promblem free until after warranty. Mine is slightly older and with alot the same problems, but still in great condition.....Not a bit of rust on any of the plastic even where scratched. I put in a new (refurbished by GM) transmission for 2100.00 and rebuilt engine. Make a commitment and stick with it. I'm getting a van for about 3000.00. I'm sure a new vehicle will have its problems in and out of warranty..I am very intimate with this van....good and bad without a monthly payment for years to come....cross your fingers
Mine is a 97...Had the intake problem at 80, and 10,0000. Transmission and heater core at 130,000. Van nearly promblem free until after warranty. Mine is slightly older and with alot the same problems, but still in great condition.....Not a bit of rust on any of the plastic even where scratched. I put in a new (refurbished by GM) transmission for 2100.00 and rebuilt engine. Make a commitment and stick with it. I'm getting a van for about 3000.00. I'm sure a new vehicle will have its problems in and out of warranty..I am very intimate with this van....good and bad without a monthly payment for years to come....cross your fingers
94 Jimmy
01-31-2005, 06:37 PM
100,000 miles on a transmission is about what I've been told to expect. If you haven't already, put a transmission cooler on the new tranny and change the filter every 25000 miles, it will add many thousands of miles to the new unit. Head Gaskets on aluminum heads are a problem. Aluminum expands and contracts as the engine heats and cools, the cast iron block dosen't, eventrally all that sliding around is going to cause a leak.
Your decision is how much do I drive, what are car payments vs repair costs and can I and do I want to do some of the work myself.
My van has 150K on it, I've replaced one head gasket and will have to replace the other soon I'm afraid. The transmission went out at around 110,000 miles and at $500/Mo car payments that was about 5 months use, I've been driving it for almost 2 years so I'm making money.
see ya
94
Your decision is how much do I drive, what are car payments vs repair costs and can I and do I want to do some of the work myself.
My van has 150K on it, I've replaced one head gasket and will have to replace the other soon I'm afraid. The transmission went out at around 110,000 miles and at $500/Mo car payments that was about 5 months use, I've been driving it for almost 2 years so I'm making money.
see ya
94
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