Corsa automatic underside damage - oil leak & v noisy shift
Discussion
I ran my Corsa automatic over a high bump at ~30mph and inflicted some underside damage.
It's been leaking oil quite badly (about a 2-3 drops a minute). Oil level went down to min in 4 hours. Probably drained out now.
There's also a bad clattering noise when shifting from P to D or to R.
The car runs smoothly once it's in drive - you'd almost forget anything happened.
Haven't been able to have a professional look at it due to the long weekend.
Would appreciate thoughts on how bad the damage is likely to be. Worried that it will be a write-off if I take this to insurance as self-damage (not to mention the NCB loss and premium hit).
It's been leaking oil quite badly (about a 2-3 drops a minute). Oil level went down to min in 4 hours. Probably drained out now.
There's also a bad clattering noise when shifting from P to D or to R.
The car runs smoothly once it's in drive - you'd almost forget anything happened.
Haven't been able to have a professional look at it due to the long weekend.
Would appreciate thoughts on how bad the damage is likely to be. Worried that it will be a write-off if I take this to insurance as self-damage (not to mention the NCB loss and premium hit).
Thanks @1000 Miglia.
Yes, I've already parked it away. Wouldn't be driving it except to the workshop (500m away) on Monday, but will top up with oil before I turn the ignition again.
Would the shot sump cover cause so much clattering upon shifting from P to D or D to R? I'd be delighted if it's just that, and is inexpensive, I'm worried it might be something more serious with the gearbox or shift, given the symptoms?
Yes, I've already parked it away. Wouldn't be driving it except to the workshop (500m away) on Monday, but will top up with oil before I turn the ignition again.
Would the shot sump cover cause so much clattering upon shifting from P to D or D to R? I'd be delighted if it's just that, and is inexpensive, I'm worried it might be something more serious with the gearbox or shift, given the symptoms?
JBlogs said:
Thanks @1000 Miglia.
Yes, I've already parked it away. Wouldn't be driving it except to the workshop (500m away) on Monday, but will top up with oil before I turn the ignition again.
Would the shot sump cover cause so much clattering upon shifting from P to D or D to R? I'd be delighted if it's just that, and is inexpensive, I'm worried it might be something more serious with the gearbox or shift, given the symptoms?
Automatics are very sensitive to oil level I think the suggestion is that may be leaking too and won’t be as easy to top up / check. Get it towed there Yes, I've already parked it away. Wouldn't be driving it except to the workshop (500m away) on Monday, but will top up with oil before I turn the ignition again.
Would the shot sump cover cause so much clattering upon shifting from P to D or D to R? I'd be delighted if it's just that, and is inexpensive, I'm worried it might be something more serious with the gearbox or shift, given the symptoms?
stevieturbo said:
Probably just as handy to get a second hand box and throw it in than waste too much time/effort with the existing box if something is actually broken
They seem to be pretty cheap on ebay etc.
Yes, will most likely go with that once I've had a mechanic to have a closer look. They seem to be pretty cheap on ebay etc.
paintman said:
Auto boxes can do all sorts of interesting things if the fluid level is low - if you're lucky that's all it will be & sorting the leak will put it right.
I'd really hope it's just that but going by the awful clattering noise when I shift from P to D/R, I fear it's worse
Update on this:
I've had a mechanic finally come in and have a look. It's as bad as it sounded. The gearbox mount has broken and hammered the gearbox and damaged it pretty badly. So the gearbox and the mount have to be both replaced.
A new gearbox is £4000 plus and will be mid-August, time and money I don;t have.
The workshop is now looking for a replacement gearbox (refurbished). Worst case, they say they can try and rebuild the gearbox.
With a refurbished gearbox, I'm warned that there's no way they can be certain how many miles the gearbox has run. So I may be getting one that looks good, but might have done 150,000 miles and may not be long for the road. Does this make sense?
Fingers crossed on this.
I've had a mechanic finally come in and have a look. It's as bad as it sounded. The gearbox mount has broken and hammered the gearbox and damaged it pretty badly. So the gearbox and the mount have to be both replaced.
A new gearbox is £4000 plus and will be mid-August, time and money I don;t have.
The workshop is now looking for a replacement gearbox (refurbished). Worst case, they say they can try and rebuild the gearbox.
With a refurbished gearbox, I'm warned that there's no way they can be certain how many miles the gearbox has run. So I may be getting one that looks good, but might have done 150,000 miles and may not be long for the road. Does this make sense?
Fingers crossed on this.
Not the result you wanted.
If a gearbox has been 'refurbished' then I would expect it to have been properly reconditioned by a company that does such things & come with a warranty.
As an example, gearboxes reconditioned by Ashcroft Transmissions (Land Rover box specialists) come with a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty.
So your garage's description makes no sense.
A used gearbox from a breaker's yard/ebay/gumtree etc is the one that you will have no idea of how it's been treated & how long it might last but will be the cheapest option. This is what I think your garage actually means.
That said, over the years I've had a number of used gearboxes (and a couple of engines) from breaker's yards & not had an issue. All have come with a short 'if it turns out to be knackered bring it back & we'll give you your money back' type warranty.
You won't get the fitting cost refunded but I do all my own work anyway.
If a gearbox has been 'refurbished' then I would expect it to have been properly reconditioned by a company that does such things & come with a warranty.
As an example, gearboxes reconditioned by Ashcroft Transmissions (Land Rover box specialists) come with a 12 month unlimited mileage warranty.
So your garage's description makes no sense.
A used gearbox from a breaker's yard/ebay/gumtree etc is the one that you will have no idea of how it's been treated & how long it might last but will be the cheapest option. This is what I think your garage actually means.
That said, over the years I've had a number of used gearboxes (and a couple of engines) from breaker's yards & not had an issue. All have come with a short 'if it turns out to be knackered bring it back & we'll give you your money back' type warranty.
You won't get the fitting cost refunded but I do all my own work anyway.
Edited by paintman on Tuesday 7th June 21:44
paintman said:
If a gearbox has been 'refurbished' then I would expect it to have been properly reconditioned by a company that does such things & come with a warranty.
That might be back street garage terminology for buying a 'box from a scrapped vehicle and pointing a pressure washer at it for a few minutes - especially if the next cheapest option is for the garage to try to fix it themselves.JBlogs said:
Update on this:
I've had a mechanic finally come in and have a look. It's as bad as it sounded. The gearbox mount has broken and hammered the gearbox and damaged it pretty badly. So the gearbox and the mount have to be both replaced.
A new gearbox is £4000 plus and will be mid-August, time and money I don;t have.
The workshop is now looking for a replacement gearbox (refurbished). Worst case, they say they can try and rebuild the gearbox.
With a refurbished gearbox, I'm warned that there's no way they can be certain how many miles the gearbox has run. So I may be getting one that looks good, but might have done 150,000 miles and may not be long for the road. Does this make sense?
Fingers crossed on this.
like brand new ?I've had a mechanic finally come in and have a look. It's as bad as it sounded. The gearbox mount has broken and hammered the gearbox and damaged it pretty badly. So the gearbox and the mount have to be both replaced.
A new gearbox is £4000 plus and will be mid-August, time and money I don;t have.
The workshop is now looking for a replacement gearbox (refurbished). Worst case, they say they can try and rebuild the gearbox.
With a refurbished gearbox, I'm warned that there's no way they can be certain how many miles the gearbox has run. So I may be getting one that looks good, but might have done 150,000 miles and may not be long for the road. Does this make sense?
Fingers crossed on this.
There are loads on ebay for £250.
Exactly what age of car is this ? £4k for a box is mental unless the car is near brand new.
As for "think they can rebuild" it......scary territory.
And a properly, reconditioned box should last fine. But as Green says....often a lot of places definition of a refurb can be powerwashing the outside of a second hand box.
Edited by stevieturbo on Wednesday 8th June 21:20
GreenV8S said:
paintman said:
If a gearbox has been 'refurbished' then I would expect it to have been properly reconditioned by a company that does such things & come with a warranty.
That might be back street garage terminology for buying a 'box from a scrapped vehicle and pointing a pressure washer at it for a few minutes - especially if the next cheapest option is for the garage to try to fix it themselves.
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