Consensus on changing whole transmission versus changing solenoids
 

Hey guys,

I hit a rock in the middle of the road going 40 mph on some of the mountain roads outside Portland. Afterwards, the CEL went on and the car only wanted to stay in third and fourth gear. I limped it over to a mechanic about 1 hour and half away in Portland.

The damage is a smashed oil pan for the transmission and solenoids B and C completely smashed, also a smashed exhaust.

I'm worried about long term damage to the transmission because i know there will be smashed bits now transitioning around the transmission during use.

What do you guys think about changing the whole tranny instead? I can find one for around $800-1000 around here. I know that if i went the parts route, it would be around $400+ in parts.

I also need to drive home to New York in two weeks, which is 2500+ mile journey, so i need the car to be reliable. It'll be still be taken to track days and events during its life as well...


Also, don't tell me about manual swaps. I already thought it out, it would work if i was New York, but not here.

Thanks.

Driving it damaged for so long doesn't inspire any guarantees that other parts inside aren't damaged, even if you fix it.

I'd get a replacement, then see what it would take to fix the other one.

Agreed.

I vote for a new transmission.


humfrz

If you smashed the solenoids I would replace the valve body.
Turn it into insurance pay the deductible.
Of course if they want to give you a new trans cool but they will almost always opt for a repair and if there is problems later another repair....

I say new trans, then build the current one :evil:

Depending on your budget, a grand is worth the peace of mind. Like others have said, swap them but keep your original.

Unless the pan was smashed in deeply enough to carry the damage further, I'd bet money that when you do dive into it you will find the rest of it to be pristine.

Have a safe trip home.

I would do a new tranny just for the piece of mind