Question on transmissions.

[Dputiger]

I have a 1993 Mercury Sable. Two weeks ago, car's transmission fluid level was checked and full.

Today, driving home, the car felt like it was "slipping" when attempting to accelerate. The only thing I can compare it to is when two flywheels join up and one is missing teeth, or when driving on slick pavement--except this problem seemed to be getting worse rapidly.

So I got home (I was luckily almost there) and checked the transmission fluid level--to find none. Zip. Zilch.

So what are the chances (given the symptoms) that the transmission is permanently damaged?

[capybara]

fwiw, i had an auto transmission american car (might have been a ford or chevy truck, i cant remember) the tranny fluid went to zero twice
with no permanent damage

[bigblue77]

Its hard to say how much damage was done. You may have burned out a few clutch packs, or at least took some friction material off the discs. Its a toss up really. All you can do it fill it back up, see if the trans works. If it does, get the leak fixed.

Good Luck

Jer

[RicheemxX]

assuming your driving under "normal" driving conditions and you didn't drive to far things should be fine. I'd also assume you didn't hear any odd noises or any types of odd smells?? The major concerns is with the leaking of the fluid. When it was checked and filled had it been leaking before and how low was it when checked ?? if it hadn't previously been leaking then you might ahve blown a seal or a gasket

best thing to do is to fill it drive it a short ways and see if it happens again when you park it place some carboard under the car to see where/if its leaking while the car is parked or if it happens while driving

[Dputiger]

No, it had no prior history of leaking, damage, etc, and the levels were full. I DID think I smelled a funny smell, but when you drive an 11-year-old car, and its raining, and you are on a busy street, and there's lots of exhaust in the air...well, you smell funny things, you know?

It wasn't funny enough that I went "Oh ***!"

And while my check engine light did pop on a few times, it likes to do that anyway. So I have no reason to think this was why.

Edited> come on Dputiger, you know the rules!
KK

[RicheemxX]

well since you leaked out all the fluid you'd more than likely smell at least a little something funny. but since it had no prior history of leakage then I'd say chances are you blew a gasket or tranny seal

as for more permanent damage like i said as long as you didn't drive a 100miles or start street racing you should be fine but I'd still recomend having it checked {you'll need to do so for the repairs on the gasket/seal anyways}

[bigblue77]

I would check you trans cooler lines between the trans and the radiator. You may have rubbed a hole in one of them and caused a leak.

It really dosen't take much fliud loss to make a trans slip. 4 quarts will do it, which may seem like alot, but a fully drained trans(including torque converter) will hold around 12 or 13 quarts, depending on the trans of course.

Jer

[Ed_S]

bigblue's right - those lines are the first thing to check. It has a section of rubber hose - if that's ruptured, be sure to get hose rated for hydraulic fluid, NOT fuel hose!

As to damage, well... just hope for the best. That's an AXOD transaxle, it won't take stress like the older ones did. Doesn't sound like you destroyed it, though. But - don't drive it ANY further until the leak's repaired, either do it where it sits or tow it

[Shifter2101]

wow.... computer AND auto help at this site!?
kewl!!!!

[The Real Bingo]

Now a days cars are computers. They have become so that you have to take your car to a technician who knows about the latest computer stuff, rather than doing it yourself. Its a shame.