Transmission/mechanic question

Jenny · 06-23-2006, 03:35 PM

We need to get our car in and get the transmission checked out. Scott called the place we have taken our car to for several things & had good service & prices (at least, we didn't feel like we were being taken to the cleaners. Who knows if they were decent or not...). He asked how much it was for a transmission check for a 95 Buick Regal. They quoted him $60. Does that sound right? What should that entail?

Daedalus · 06-23-2006, 06:04 PM

That's a question you really need to ask the shop. I assume it's an automatic. Are you having problems with the transmission? About the best thing you could have checked for $60 (1 hour labor?) is the pump pressure. More likely they'll look at the fluid level, dab a drop on a white rag to show you how bad its color is, and give it a sniff (while writing up a $big$ work order). The marketing departments of the entire industry rely on scare tactics. Be proactive in maintenance--the $60 would probably be better spent toward changing the fluid and filter if they need it, unless you already have a stong suspicion the transmission is faulty.

DarkFury · 06-23-2006, 06:43 PM

Paging MechMike34.... client on line 1.

BTW... I'm sure that they are charging you a "diagnostic fee" that possibly will be deducted from the final bill if you should go forward with the repair.

Personally, I'd wait for MM34 to respond... as he can most likely refer you to someone who you can really trust to diagnose and perform the repairs reliably.

Jenny · 06-23-2006, 07:02 PM

heh yeah, we suspect something is wrong with it.

Thx, will wait for mechmike and see what he says.

mechmike0034 · 06-24-2006, 05:24 PM

$60 should get you an hour of diagnosis time, to be used as the diagnosing tech sees fit.

'95 Regal... What's it doing? How many miles?

Trans is electronically controlled on that car, so trans codes and data should be checked.

Has the trans ever been serviced?

Where in KS are you again?

Jenny · 06-24-2006, 08:04 PM

107-108,000 miles

it just seems wonky. lol sometimes it just seems like it doesn't change gears as quickly and isn't as responsive as it should be.

Don't think it's ever been serviced. heh

I'm in Wichita.

mechmike0034 · 06-24-2006, 09:36 PM

If the fluid's not burnt, change it. If it is, don't. Fresh fluid in a failing trans will hasten failure.

Again, have the computer data checked. An experienced tech should be able to look for weird data even if there are no codes set.

Jenny · 06-24-2006, 11:42 PM

ok, thanks

oh, hah. Scott said, How do you tell if the fluid is burnt or not?

Daedalus · 06-25-2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

Don't think it's ever been serviced.

Ouch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

How do you tell if the fluid is burnt or not?

Smell it--does it smell like burnt toast?

06-23-2006, 03:35 PM	#1
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	Transmission/mechanic question We need to get our car in and get the transmission checked out. Scott called the place we have taken our car to for several things & had good service & prices (at least, we didn't feel like we were being taken to the cleaners. Who knows if they were decent or not...). He asked how much it was for a transmission check for a 95 Buick Regal. They quoted him $60. Does that sound right? What should that entail? __________________ Check out my spoilers for over 20 shows @ SpoilerFix.com Check out my TV blog, where I post weekly & daily TV schedules, TV news, interviews with TV stars & more! All new TV forums as well @ TV Is My Pacifier

06-23-2006, 06:43 PM	#3
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	Paging MechMike34.... client on line 1. BTW... I'm sure that they are charging you a "diagnostic fee" that possibly will be deducted from the final bill if you should go forward with the repair. Personally, I'd wait for MM34 to respond... as he can most likely refer you to someone who you can really trust to diagnose and perform the repairs reliably. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

06-24-2006, 05:24 PM	#5
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	$60 should get you an hour of diagnosis time, to be used as the diagnosing tech sees fit. '95 Regal... What's it doing? How many miles? Trans is electronically controlled on that car, so trans codes and data should be checked. Has the trans ever been serviced? Where in KS are you again? __________________ "The price of progress is trouble." (C. F. "Boss" Kettering) "50% of the American public has below-average intelligence. 70% of the American public now has regular access to the Internet. Do the math." (unknown)

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06-23-2006, 06:04 PM	#2
Daedalus Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 824	That's a question you really need to ask the shop. I assume it's an automatic. Are you having problems with the transmission? About the best thing you could have checked for $60 (1 hour labor?) is the pump pressure. More likely they'll look at the fluid level, dab a drop on a white rag to show you how bad its color is, and give it a sniff (while writing up a $big$ work order). The marketing departments of the entire industry rely on scare tactics. Be proactive in maintenance--the $60 would probably be better spent toward changing the fluid and filter if they need it, unless you already have a stong suspicion the transmission is faulty.

06-23-2006, 07:02 PM	#4
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	heh yeah, we suspect something is wrong with it. Thx, will wait for mechmike and see what he says.

06-24-2006, 08:04 PM	#6
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	107-108,000 miles it just seems wonky. lol sometimes it just seems like it doesn't change gears as quickly and isn't as responsive as it should be. Don't think it's ever been serviced. heh I'm in Wichita.

06-24-2006, 09:36 PM	#7
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	If the fluid's not burnt, change it. If it is, don't. Fresh fluid in a failing trans will hasten failure. Again, have the computer data checked. An experienced tech should be able to look for weird data even if there are no codes set.

06-24-2006, 11:42 PM	#8
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	ok, thanks oh, hah. Scott said, How do you tell if the fluid is burnt or not?

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