aowolf

Hey guys, this week I was planning on upgrading my 99 to a 2000. Found a one that had perfect records and the IMS changed 2000 miles ago (the car is at 60k now). Because I'm paralyzed I have to buy a tiptronic. Well looking at the documents for the IMS job there was a note about a "Seeping automatic transmission" I called the dealer that did the repair and they didn't have any more info.

I took the car in for a PPI on the transmission with a ZF specialist and he found that it was low by 1.5 liters of transmission fluid. (Its supposed to be around 9 liters) The transmission is covered in black grime from the bell-housing backwards. There was no documentation about an oil leak, and the owner never saw any oil in the driveway. There was an oil filler tub leak at once point.

The transmission expert said the only place the transmission will leak inside the bell-hosuing is the torque converter seal. I've lived through the $5000 drama that was a failed torque converter bearing and subsequent rebuild and I want to avoid it again. If the transmissions is leaking inside of the bell-housing and it is just the seal will it lead to torque converter bearing failure? Or can I just keep checking the fluid levels every 10k and top the transmission shop. Just pulling the transmission up will cost $1200-1500 so inspecting it more isn't an option.

Would you guys stay away from this car? Every other detail is great, but I am too emotional about it make a logical decision.

Macster

Stay away from the car unless you get a firm diagnosis as to what it would take to stop the leak and if necessary put the Tip right and are prepared to spend the money. You can of course adjust your offer to take into account what this would cost but the seller is unlikely to accept this hit on the car's price and would just wait until another less discriminating buyer came along.

Thus you would be out some time and possibly money to determine this only to have it all for naught as the seller says no to your offer.