Hey all, so before taking my H3 to MD from NJ I got
get an oil change and they put 2 qts of tranny fluid in. Car gets to MD on a Friday and by Sunday the RPM gauge was going crazy (up and down) and the car wouldn’t pick up any speed. AAA wanted to do a $5000 tranny repair. I took it to a tranny shop who said there was no leak in the tranny cooling line (like I was originally told by a valvoline mechanic). Instead, he explained he needs to do the radiator and tranny for $3500. Before taking her back to NJ… how do I know she’s safe to drive? Any advice would be helpful. She’s in Essex, MD right now.


PS- I just got her from a dealer on 8/25 who only disclosed the rusted carriage. The Carfax obviously came back clean as well.

 

Is the Radiator leaking? If not, there is no reason to replace it.

If the prior owner allowed the Trans to run too low on Trans Fluid and just kept driving, they could have overheated Trans internals and done permanent damage. Have you had it scanned for any codes?

You could always rent a truck and trailer, load it up and take it home to deal with repairs when it works for your schedule at local shops of your choosing.

 

yes, I guess the radiator was leaking! I personally haven’t scanned it for codes. Any recommendations on devices I can use that are trust worthy??

 

Just go to a parts store and they can scan it for you.

 

Do you speak English? Your post is in disarray!

What I got so far:

• you purchased the H3 on 8/25 drove it home in NJ.
• many weeks later, before your 2hr road trip to MD, you got a CHANGE OIL SOON warning
• you stopped at a shop and they added 2qts of transmission fluid?
• now your H3 is immobile?

 

Why did the shop put in 2qts of transmission fluid when you went in for an oil change? Did they check the the fluid level and determine it was low??

I would check transmission fluid level first. If they just added two quarts and checked right away, it's hard to read the dipstick because there will be fluid residual all around the interior of the dripstick tube that end up giving you a false reading.

When I added fluid to mine, I had to let it settle before checking again.

 

thanks Justin !

 

lol sorry for the confusion. To make a long story short, the tranny and radiator need a replacement. I purchased the car in NJ & drove it to MD for work. I couldn’t drive it back, had to leave it.

Before the trip I got my fluids checked and I was made aware of a supposed tranny leak.

 

May we assume that you checked the Trans Fluid Level after you had the episode of the RPMs/no speed? Theoretically if it just leaked out fluid again (you should look at the ground under your vehicle every time you drive it) you could add the missing fluid and it may drive again until that leaks out. To loose 2 QTs in 2-3 Hrs of driving is a pretty significant leak.

Then again, it may already be toast and is just getting way too hot boiling fluid out the vent and you should smell that and/or see some smoke. People behind you sure would.