HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DIAGNOSE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM?
Therefore, you want to check your transmission for problems, but are on a tight schedule. Do not worry; it happens to the best of us. The truth is that the transmission is a very complicated machine, and prone to wear and tear if not properly maintained, and so there is a real possibility that there may be something wrong. To better schedule your time, here are a few tips about the length of time it may take for a car transmission repair specialist, or you yourself, may take to diagnose your transmission.
Most Shops Will Ask for about a Day
There is a lot that happens in a car repair shop every day, what with dozens of clients and the individual maintenance and repairs that occur. When you bring in your car for repairs, you may be put into a queue as part of a first come, first serve system. Even though the diagnosis itself usually only takes one to two hours, the shop will tell you to leave it with them for anywhere from a half day to a full twenty four hours, so that they can finish the work scheduled before your car. Despite the wait, and the service charge they will place on the diagnosis, a mechanic shop will give you a precise and accurate diagnosis of the transmission, and possibly other parts in the engine, as well as a quote on how much repairs will cost you. However, if you do not have the time to spare, and want to save your money, you can attempt to diagnose the transmission yourself, though this may not be as accurate.
Checking the Fluid Levels
Since a transmission is a bunch of gears all whirring at extremely high speeds, it can become a mess in a hurry if it is not well lubricated. A transmission uses a special kind of lubricating fluid, called (believe it or not) transmission fluid. While oil keeps the rest of the engine running well, this fluid is designed specifically for the pressure exerted by the transmission. Good, fresh fluid is usually a bright red color, unless you have an undyed fluid that will turn darker and browner as it ages and becomes subjected to the heat and wear of an engine. The darker in color it is, the older it is, and the less effective it will be for lubricating the transmission. The engine will have a dipstick similar to that of the oil, with which you can look at the fluid levels and color. If any of this fluid has been leaking, then you can know trouble is imminent.
Listening to the Sounds Your Car Makes
Another indicator of transmission problems is the sounds it makes. As you drive, you can listen to the sound of the engine as you shift gears. If you hear grinding, whining, or clunking as you change from one gear to the next, or if there is a significant delay, then you will want to take it to a mechanic as soon as possible.
7 SYMPTOMS OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE
These 7 symptoms are classics of transmission problems:
Whining and Clunking
This may see fairly obvious, but those are often the symptoms we ignore the most. When your car starts making noises it shouldn’t be making, it’s time to get it checked out. You’ll probably hear a humming or buzzing coming from your transmission. When this happens, don’t wait to bring it in. Fix it as soon as possible before any further damage occurs.
Lack of Response
Your transmission was designed so that you can switch gears instantaneously. So when there is a delayed response and it doesn’t immediately do what you want it to, you guessed it. It’s time for a check up.
Burning Smell
The smell of something burning is never a good sign when it’s coming from your car. The cause could be any number of things, but it’s most commonly the overheating of the transmission fluid.Don’t panic when this happens, just get it checked out as soon as possible.
Leaking Fluid
Fluid where it shouldn’t be is one of the easiest symptoms to spot. The best way to find where the leak is coming from is to lay down a few pieces of cardboard when the car is parked. Then slide out the pieces to to see just where your car is leaking. Be sure to share this information with the mechanic or service professional when you take it in to be resolved.
Grinding Gears
This symptom manifests itself differently for manual and automatic transmissions. For manual transmissions, when you change gears and you hear or feel a sense of grinding; it may mean that you have just worn out the clutch and you need to replace it. But it can also mean that one of the transmission’s synchronizers is worn out and damaged. For automatic transmissions, a rough shift rather than an unnoticeable one could be caused by a few things. Take it into a professional to diagnose.
Noisy in Neutral
A bumping sound doesn’t necessarily evoke signs of caution or trouble, unless it happens when your car is in neutral. Don’t worry though; this problem can sometimes be easily fixed by replacing the transmission fluid. If however, you continue to hear noises coming from your transmission while it’s in neutral, take it in to see what’s up.
Dashboard Lights
“SERVICE ENGINE SOON.” Aren’t those the last words you want to see when you get into your car? This sign on your dashboard could mean all sorts of things and should definitely not be ignored. There are sensors placed throughout your car’s engine that can pick up the slightest of problems. Don’t procrastinate when you see this, get your car inspected as soon as you can.
Transmission Repair
There are times where it’s not worth saving your transmission. If you have an old car model, the cost of transmission repair can be astronomical seeing that parts or older vehicle are harder to come by. In addition, the technology is mostly outdated and even when fixed, the transmission system likely won’t be anywhere as good as what we have today. In these cases, owners usually just buy a new car instead of enduring the cost of a transmission repair.
Avoid transmission system issues
If you want to prolong the life of your car, you need to take good care of its transmission. You can ignore other parts of your vehicle and it still would function. Ignore the condition of your transmission and your car condition goes to the dumpster. The best thing you can do is to do regular maintenance. If you do your own car maintenance, make sure that you check the condition of your transmission once in a while. Read the manual that came with your car to see the recommendation. Follow these recommendations closely and you will have a hassle-free time.
Why is it important to have your transmission inspected or repaired?
Having your transmission inspected as soon as an issue is detected is not only vital for the safety of you and your family, as well as other motorists – but may also save you money in the long run, by preventing further damage to the sensitive internal components of the transmission. These can be expensive to repair, and may require a complete overhaul if the issue is not diagnosed early.
Cost to repair a transmission fluid leak
One of the most common maintenance issues is low fluid level caused by a transmission leak. Because transmissions are sealed, a leak indicates a problem. Common causes of leaks include a breach in the pan gasket, an axle seal leak and fluid seepage. Transmission fluid is typically bright red, dark red or brown as it ages. If you notice fluid under your car, you should have the transmission checked by a mechanic. The cost to repair a leak is typically between $150 and $200, depending on the car’s make and model