I’m having problem with my 2003 Magna TL VR AWD (dual fuel) automatic transmission/gearbox. I bought it a year ago and it has been faultless. About four weeks ago when the car starts in the morning we can hear/feel a thud every time the gears moves into the first gear. But after 15 minutes or so it’s gone. So it only happens when the engine /car is cold.

Yesterday I had the transmission oil replaced, the mechanic found 2 piece of small metal and the oil was really black and dirty. I drove the car right after the mechanic finished with and it was fine, but this morning when I starts the car the gear won’t move into the first gear for a while. (about ten minutes)

• What should I do ? I love the car and willing to spend up to $3000 if I can keep it for 3 years or more.

• replace the trans with second hand from wreckers/ reconditioned

• have the transmission rebuild (any recommendation for Sydney area mechanic)

• Sell the car, how much can I get with the current condition ?

• Drive it to ground and dump it.

• Other options?


Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

MSM

Might be stating the obvious:
Was the gearbox fluid changed or flushed out? ie when you check the dipstick, is fluid bright red now?
Was it filled with correct fluid (SP-III compatible)
Tried resetting ECU/TCU and let it relearn shifts?

If you've got metal pieces, its probably be beginning of the end imo. $3k more or less will get you a rebuilt box - make sure you go somewhere reputable.

What your mechanic found were bits of the wave spring. If the fluid was black then who ever is doing the serving is not doing the proper job and should have warned you long before the fluid turned black

Either way it is too late now to try and do anything about your shifting and lag now, the box needs to be rebuilt

If you are lucky and there is no other damage you may get away with a strip down, clean up, replace internal filter and wave spring and that should be it aside from a few seals.

TL/W awd boxes are VERY hard to come by, also get yourself an external filter and coller as soon as you can, these will assist with the temps inside the trans keeping consistant and prevent more failure in the future

If your box dies completely the $3k will barely get you a remove and tear down, the average AWD complete rebuild if the planetary set is damaged ranges in the 5 -7k range

Might be stating the obvious:
Was the gearbox fluid changed or flushed out? ie when you check the dipstick, is fluid bright red now?
Was it filled with correct fluid (SP-III compatible)
Tried resetting ECU/TCU and let it relearn shifts?

It's just a fluid change, I'll check the rest when I get home this evening.

If your box dies completely the $3k will barely get you a remove and tear down, the average AWD complete rebuild if the planetary set is damaged ranges in the 5 -7k range

MV Automatics here in SA did wavespring and welded pins for $1.5k for a VR4 box. some even opted for a shift kit. VR4 = same 5spd.

Few guys on VR4 forums have been quoted $3k - 3.5k for rebuilt box not just in SA.

How it is worth 7k for a replacement box?

Tried resetting ECU/TCU and let it relearn shifts?.

how to do this? disconnect the battery for a minute and reconnect ?

Yes, that'll do it. Make sure you know any codes for the radio, etc if factory radio is fitted.

There is also a procedure for helping the TCU learn again, i dont know it off the top of my head.

Might be a quick fix, but realistically pieces of metal usually means bad news. And if this is the case, the longer you drive, the more damage that happens.

If you are lucky and there is no other damage you may get away with a strip down, clean up, replace internal filter and wave spring and that should be it aside from a few seals.

I'm interested to check whether this is the case with my car. Can anyone recommend mechanic in Sydney area ??

Maybe to do below as well.


TL/W awd boxes are VERY hard to come by, also get yourself an external filter and coller as soon as you can, these will assist with the temps inside the trans keeping consistant and prevent more failure in the future

I’m having problem with my 2003 Magna TL VR AWD (dual fuel) automatic transmission/gearbox. I bought it a year ago and it has been faultless. About four weeks ago when the car starts in the morning we can hear/feel a thud every time the gears moves into the first gear. But after 15 minutes or so it’s gone. So it only happens when the engine /car is cold.

Yesterday I had the transmission oil replaced, the mechanic found 2 piece of small metal and the oil was really black and dirty. I drove the car right after the mechanic finished with and it was fine, but this morning when I starts the car the gear won’t move into the first gear for a while. (about ten minutes)

• What should I do ? I love the car and willing to spend up to $3000 if I can keep it for 3 years or more.

• replace the trans with second hand from wreckers/ reconditioned

• have the transmission rebuild (any recommendation for Sydney area mechanic)

• Sell the car, how much can I get with the current condition ?

• Drive it to ground and dump it.

• Other options?


Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.

MSM

If you we're in melbourne, I would have recommended you a place for the rebuild.... as I only got mine done last November, drives great :)

If you we're in melbourne, I would have recommended you a place for the rebuild.... as I only got mine done last November, drives great :)

How much did it cost you ?

At trade price, all new gears, clutches, bearings, seals, everything~~ :) cost me $2900, otherwise I'd be paying around $3500-$4000

MV Automatics here in SA did wavespring and welded pins for $1.5k for a VR4 box. some even opted for a shift kit. VR4 = same 5spd.

Few guys on VR4 forums have been quoted $3k - 3.5k for rebuilt box not just in SA.

How it is worth 7k for a replacement box?

Quite easily, if just a wave spring and clean out then all good. If needs oil pump and planetary set it gets frigtening very fast

I got quoted for approximate $3850 to rebuild my current box with 12 month or 20k Km warranty, from CATS transmission in Erskineville. A forum member showed me a link to a wrecker in southwest sydney that have 2004 VR AWD Box with 90k on The clock for $1700. What do you think guys?

That price for an AWD box is the market rate, I have seen them recently as high as $2400 for a used one.

There is risk of course with used box, I assume they give a 90 days parts warranty which is industry standard.

Really up to you, if you do get this one make sure you put an external filter and cooler on it, same with new box as well.

I just called the wrecker they can't do the transmission installation. They recommends a mechanic but he want $1200 for installation due to AWD he normally charge $700-$800 for a 2WD transmission installation. Is that reasonable ?

That sounds way too much, the AWD is more work but $800 for fitting a trans to a fwd makes his hourly rate around $160 per hour which is a little out there lol factoring in 5 hours for a relaxed job.

So how much is reasonable for AWD, I will shop around.

So how much is reasonable for AWD, I will shop around.

I paid $3000, which was all parts, labour and reset & retune trans ecu. So I'd say around 3-3700 is good for everything.

Apparently this stuff (link (http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-112/LUBEGARD+Automatic+Transmission+Fluid+Protectant)) can just about perform miracles in an auto transmission according to the many testimonials on the website.

May be worth a try if you can get hold of some. After all, you haven't got anything to loose.

(I found this in another post on this forum)

Apparently this stuff (link (http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-112/LUBEGARD+Automatic+Transmission+Fluid+Protectant)) can just about perform miracles in an auto transmission according to the many testimonials on the website.

May be worth a try if you can get hold of some. After all, you haven't got anything to loose.

(I found this in another post on this forum)

If you want to stuff your transmission right up, be my guest. Magna autos are notoriously fussy when it comes to fluid

I found a transmission specialist near where I live that willing to do full rebuild for $2600 with 12 month 20 K warranty. When I ask for external cooler and filter the bloke said its not necessary on account I don't tow and drives only about 6k km a year.

That's a good price. I was quoted $3,200 a year ago for a full rebuild for a FWD KJII Verada. Warranty was 3 years on the condition that car goes back every 12 months or 20K for trans service for the next couple of years.

My car is ready, the mechanic told me he have to put in new gearbox that he have in stock, he didn't charge me more for that. it drives real smooth now. Any way thanks for all the advice.