I am starting to seriously think about getting a new transmission in my Buick. It's had harsh shifts for quite some time and the dreaded whine that comes along with max adapt. I didn't get the exact codes last time i had it scanned but it was max adapt and i am sure with the rough mileage it's had the clutches are worn to the max. I can see clutch material in the fluid every time i wipe the dipstick or change the fluid through the fill tube, and it gets black pretty quick.
I won't be able to do anything right away so i am checking out my options.
I am leaning heavily towards a powersource re manufactured unit, but the cost is substantial, $1699 + i have to pay someone to install it, which not sure but will probably cost around $450 at best. Brown's quoted me $450 for the install. They also rebuild for over the phone estimate of $1400-$1600 depending on if they have to replace any hard parts or electronics.
http://www.bestrebuilttransmissions.com/4T65Etarget.htm
I haven't taken it to a transmission shop yet, as i am un sure of the quality of the few shops, and haven't had the money for the full rebuild yet. I am pretty sure they will just want to slap a full rebuild no matter what, but i really don't like the short warranties most transmission shops give. Brown's rebuild is the 12mo/12,000 mile standard... The powersource unit has 3 year 100,000 miles.
If i do go local i have a couple of options.
MR. Tranmission, Pro Tranmission, Brown's Transmission and Complete Auto Repairs are the ones listed around me.
Mr. Transmission quoted me $1800-$2400 over the phone, $1800 is the full rebuild + new aftermarket TC only, and it will likely be more expensive he said if needs hard parts or electronics, all with the same 12 month 12,000 mile warranty. The guy did seem pretty confident and was willing to talk about anything i asked although he said he wouldn't install my own transmission since he has in the past and seen the junk autozone puts together in person for remans.
The guy at Mr. Transmission said hes been doing it 35 years and seems pretty nice too, obviously said hes rebuilt tons of these transmissions. I asked him if he would install my own provided fluid (Maxlife) and he said he would as long as it wasn't something stupid like Trickshift. He said the difference between the regular fluid and Amsoil is the cost, and if it makes it to 150,000 miles on the original fluid why change anything? He said it would need about 12+ quarts for me if i provided the fluid and he would knock off the cost of his shop dex/merc.
Pro tranmission does a full rebuild for $2000-$2300 and he said usually the electronics need to be replaced with a max adapt code and will probably be on the upper end of the $2300 cost, but the warranty is 3 years 36,000 miles. He said the warranty covers everything but neglect of running out of fluid or burning rubber dropping it from neutral.
This shop said he uses a DEX-4 w/Lubegard!, i said you use ATF+4 with Lubegard? He said it's a synthetic Dex-3. I said so you use a Dex 6? He said yeah with Lubegard. He said i could provide my own Maxlife and would save a few bucks if i did. He said provide no less than 11 quarts for this job. (Over all Shop fluid knowledge -1 again)
Pro transmission also said he could install a myriad of different clutches if i wanted, he said they use OEM, but he could get whatever i wanted for cost, Raybestos, Redline, and named a few others, but recommended the OEM clutches.
So i am confused yet again, obviously the local shop Brown's seems enticing, and Pro transmission has the best local warranty, but thought i would ask for opinions and see what the general population has to say about the matter.
Thinking of a new trans, called some ppl (Long)
- Thread starter 901Memphis
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Many people have installed shift kits in these trans and took care of the long shift problems.Those quotes see kinda high to me.I took mine out and took it to a trans place they charged me 500.00 and I picked it up a week later.Another option would be to buy the parts yourself and then see what they would charge.I would shop around.Rock auto has remans and car-part.com as well even ebay.
I agree... this is alot of money to be putting in a car this old, in my opinion.... Either go cheaper, if possible, or used ( some like LKQ parts are 6 mo or 1 yr warranty also) or a different car... I see you are in kentucky, probably not a huge rust concern ? but even to you, fixed... at 2 grand is alot for the rest of the "old car" to go with it... is it really worth it ? (age, mileage, cost, etc ?)
In every town there is "the shop". It is easily recognized by the huge amount of cars and trucks around it. Our local trans guy gives a lifetime warranty and is very competitive. All he requires of us is to see the vehicle once a year.
I found him by attending a local car meet in a parking lot. Ask around, the hot rodders know...
I've been through the same problem with my Buick. I posted on here many times about it.
Delayed engagement. Hard shifts very common with the 4T65E.
These transmissions need a complete rebuild with upgraded NOT OEM parts.
I first tried the shift kit. Did zero. It only masks the problem anyway.
I then replaced the PCS. These solenoids are notorious for failing. PITA job that I did over two afternoons.
After all this the problem persisted. I spoke to several experienced transmission builders. They all said the valve
body was damaged and I needed a rebuild with upgraded parts.
They were right.
I also spoke to Dave at Triple Edge. He said rebuild.
http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com/GM_Standard_Replacement.html
That's what I did. It fixed the problem.
I am aware of the shift kits by transgo and have looked at installing one, but don't think it's going to fix the high mileage issue and old clutches.
The transmission has higher mileage than the engine, probably 150k+. I am pretty sure it needs a full rebuild. It's been hard shifting for 2 years and i see clutch material in every fluid change and also when i check the fluid on the dipstick.
One of the shops i talked to did say they update the valve body in every re build, i wish i had noted that now i talked to too many people in a short time period.
As far as condition goes the car is in pretty good condition paint wise and body wise for its age besides the rocker panel rust and a few places under the car. The rest of the car is okay, but rust is a factor for Kentucky. I think if the transmission were replaced, the rest of the car wouldn't have trouble making it to the 3 year end of warranty mark.
I don't have the toolbox to handle big jobs on the car and live in an apartment where i am not allowed to work on the car, so probably not an option to do the work myself.
I don't think i can afford a car payment at this time and also don't think i could find a better car for $2000 once the transmission is rebuilt, although i am sure it's possible.
http://buickforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3281&d=1355735364
http://buickforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3275&d=1355732982
Those are a couple of year+ older pics, the only thing you can't see is the awful rocker panel rust, the rest of the car is pretty okay for age. Yes i know the lighting is awful.
I have a guy on the west side of Cincinnati whose rebuilt several transmissions for me-Michael Crone Transmission on Glenway Ave.-see if he can help you. He's done 3 of mine.
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
I have a guy on the west side of Cincinnati whose rebuilt several transmissions for me-Michael Crone Transmission on Glenway Ave.-see if he can help you. He's done 3 of mine.
If anyones wondering i think i have shifted my preference to pro tranmission since they offer the 3 year warranty and similar price to the power source, actually cheaper when you factor in the core charge. I doubt i would do more than 36,000 miles in 3 years anyways.
I am not sure how you deal with the core charge or an online ordered transmission, and i doubt they are going to pay for return shipping, which could get costly.
I am looking at tax return time to purchase this transmission rebuild, so i have some time to weigh my options on if i can afford a car payment and just drive it til i junk it.
call ridge transmission in pleasant ridge. they are family owned and considered the go to place when area independent shops take transmissions out, then deliver them to ridge to rebuild.
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Originally Posted By: caravanmike
call ridge transmission in pleasant ridge. they are family owned and considered the go to place when area independent shops take transmissions out, then deliver them to ridge to rebuild.
That's what I did. I found a local shop with a solid reputation for rebuilds. I told them exactly what I wanted. Upgraded parts. Sonnax kits etc. I dropped the car off Thursday 7 AM. It was up on the rack before I left. Transmission was on their work bench before lunch. Saturday lunch time I picked the car up. Paid them in $100 bills. I must say the car now drives perfectly. They put Dexron VI and a bottle of lubegard red in the trans. I have to take it back at the 12 month mark for a fluid change.
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I am not sure how you deal with the core charge or an online ordered transmission
How many miles do you have on this transmission?
Originally Posted By: Ken2
Quote:
I am not sure how you deal with the core charge or an online ordered transmission
Originally Posted By: BurrWinder
I agree... this is alot of money to be putting in a car this old, in my opinion.... Either go cheaper, if possible, or used ( some like LKQ parts are 6 mo or 1 yr warranty also) or a different car... I see you are in kentucky, probably not a huge rust concern ? but even to you, fixed... at 2 grand is alot for the rest of the "old car" to go with it... is it really worth it ? (age, mileage, cost, etc ?)
The Indy shop only going to charge 450 to install the power source if I go that route. I'd rather pay that than attempt this myself, it's a bit over my head and comfort zone.
I don't have too many other shops close by unless I cross the state line.
Pro transmission seems like a good bet to me, but it's $2300...
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The Indy shop only going to charge 450 to install the power source if I go that route. I'd rather pay that than attempt this myself, it's a bit over my head and comfort zone.
Originally Posted By: Ken2
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
The Indy shop only going to charge 450 to install the power source if I go that route. I'd rather pay that than attempt this myself, it's a bit over my head and comfort zone.
This is what my dipstick looks like when I wipe it after a few weeks, lots of black junk on the first pass. The second wipe after checking fluid level is in the second picture on the right.
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