Is your engine starting, but your car not moving? If so, you might have a transmission issue.
There are many telltale signs for a ruined transmission. And one is an odd grind/snap/whirl noise under your car, especially when shifting gears…
Another is the inability to move back, or to engage forward…
Even worse, maybe there’s a large puddle of red oil sitting underneath your engine bay (which means you need a full transmission replacement).
What to Do…
If your transmission isn’t up-to-standard, then it’s time to fix it. And today, we’ll help you with that…
Below, we have a guide on transmission repair necessities and transmission replacement costs. Check it out, and get your transmission fixed!
First – What Are the Transmission Repair Costs?
Compared to other car parts, fixing transmission systems can be expensive. And there are a few reasons for that…
First, a transmission is connected to your engine. Plus, it has to be properly designed to work well with your car model.
So it isn’t like a seat or a number change. You’re looking at a highly complex set of machinery. And it’ll cost you a lot just for a few fixes.
To give you an idea, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a little transmission fluid replacement. And expect a full transmission fluid replacement to push into the thousands!
Also Read: Signs and Symptoms of Transmission Problems
Replacement #1 – Replace Pressure Control Solenoid
Transmission systems are made up of many components. And if you’re lucky, there might be a small component or two that’ll need changing (especially if it’s an electrical problem).
One of those is the solenoid. This is usually mounted internally or externally on your transmission (that depends a bit on the car model).
Replacing solenoids isn’t too expensive. Expect to pay anywhere from $15-$100 for a single piece. Plus, you’re paying for labor, which can cost up to $300.
But considering other transmission fix costs, this is quite cheap – and that’s as lucky as you’ll ever be!
Replacement #2 – Replace Front Transmission Seals
Transmissions have fluids to ensure they don’t overheat or grind and ruin the gears. And that transmission fluid should stay inside the system, which is the job of the front seal.
It ensures the fluid doesn’t leak away from the input shaft that’s attached to the engines.
Now, this is the point where repairs get a little expensive. Front transmission seal replacement cost differs from one model to another. But expect the final price tag to range between $400 and $1000 per seal!
Replacement #3 – Transmission Valve Body Replacement
A transmission gear requires hydraulic pressure to operate, funneled into a valve body. If anything occurs to that body, including cracks, electrical faults, or leaks, then replacing the entire transmission valve body becomes a necessity.
The transmission valve body replacement itself can cost anywhere from $200 to $500, and add to that $500 in labor to fully replace the valve. So that’ll set you back $1000 for a full repair!
Replacement #4 – Transmission Mount Replacement
Occasionally, you may hear awkward sounds in the operation of the transmission. That might be a sign that the mount isn’t working well.
If your mount is loose, broken, or worn down, and the transmission doesn’t line up well with the gears, all parts end up hitting each other – leading to the odd sounds.
Now, depending on the mount damage, your situation may be worse than those of others.
Replacing transmission mount will cost you anywhere from $50-$200, and you’ll pay a similar amount for labor. However, this isn’t bad when you consider other serious fixes!
Transmission Labor Costs – Never Forget to Factor Those In
Labor costs for transmission systems are high, and there’s a reason for that.
A mechanic has to take out the entire transmission from the car to fix it. And if it’s connected to other equipment in your car, those need to be appropriately disconnected too.
Basically, this is a job that’s expensive. And the larger the components dealt with, the more you’ll pay.
For that reason, we sometimes recommend finding used but viable replacement transmissions. Transmission replacement labor cost you anywhere $1000 to $2000, where you might have to pay the same for the labor costs too!
What About Car Make?
That depends.
If you’re looking at an import vehicle (specifically for German cars – like BMW, VW, Mercedes), then expect to pay more.
But for cars that are more domestic (like Fords and Chevys), you might end up paying less.
However, do note that not all foreign cars have expensive servicing. Sometimes, you might find a cheap model, and good but affordable labor to do the work!
Rare and Old Cars Cost Slightly More
We mentioned before that a good way to fix your transmission is by sifting at a salvage yard.
You might find a good used transmission system or two. And you might even find them in totaled but abandoned cars.
Now, note that this only applies to cars that are under a decade old in age. If your car is older, you might struggle to find the necessary spare parts.
Another Reason to Seek Transmission Replacements
Generally, transmission replacements are much cheaper than rebuilding a full engine – which can cost you even more money.
Depending on the car you drive, a rebuild can hike up the price by a few thousand dollars. That is, expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 extra.
Also, if the car you drive is expensive or rare, you may pay even higher.
Now, the transmission replacement cost does drop with a manual transmission car. Those transmission systems are easier to replace, and easier to find spare parts for!
Minor Transmission Issues that are Fixable
Let’s say you sent your car over to a mechanic for an inspection.
The last thing you want to hear is that your car needs a full transmission replacement. But no worries this is avoidable…
Sometimes, there are minor fixes that the mechanic can take care of. And they include…
• Filters
• Gaskets
• Bands
• Valves
• O-Rings
Also, issues with your car clutch might also be an item that needs to be fixed (for manual cars that is).
If your car is an automatic, clutch repairs won’t be necessary.
Also, there are some mechanisms that you should get inspected first, especially before taking the transmission out of the vehicle and separating its components.
They include…
• Drums
• Converters
• Shafts
• Pumps
Choosing Between Replacements and Repairs
Bringing in your vehicle to inspection isn’t enough. And neither is waiting for an analysis on what’s wrong with your car…
Instead, you’ve got to find out the options at your disposal. From there, you’ve got to know what’s appropriate for your situation.
For example – do you know when rebuilds are most appropriate? After all, your transmission might fail to operate due to a broken part. And in that case, fixing that is necessary.
Or how about knowing when replacements are best? That might be a faster and more convenient option too, especially if your car is vital to your daily affairs.
Wait – How Does Transmission Rebuilding Work?
Here, the mechanic you’ve hired takes apart the entire transmission mechanism. From there, they’ll check every part of it, replacing the pieces that require changing.
After that, they’ll re-assemble the transmission, and put it back into your car.
Now, this is cheaper than a full replacement, since you’re only replacing parts of your transmission, and not everything.
Plus, if your car is still a few years old, you might have a warranty active. And that might qualify you for low cost transmission rebuilds, or even free replacements!
Is There an Optimal Time to Seek Automobile Transmission Repair?
Yes. We recommend seeking fixes before the problems with your transmission end up getting out of hand.
That is, you should seek an early repair. With an early repair, you ensure that you avoid future serious damages, thus saving yourself thousands of dollars!
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