Blew tranny line last night on my way to work. I pulled over and fixed it and topped off the fluid. But when I started it this morning it won't move even after its warmed up. I'm guessing the pump went bad? Does that sound reasonable? How difficult is it to change? Does tranny have to come out?

 

That sounds confusing, even to me at this hour.

You blew a line, stuff happens, you pulled over prior to it stopping actual drive, RIGHT????.

Sooooo, i would add 1 ltr of fluid, and see what happens, I bet its LOW.

The pump on these is one tough sucker, and I have never seen one "blow". One I saw was "blue" from heat, and was still working.

The fact you drove it after the "repair" also suggest to me the trans is just fine, just in need of "red juice".

 

I do not understand your post. Not very clear. Have you checked the fluid level when warmed up?

If it is full and the trans won't move there are many things that can cause that. The pump being the least likely. As Grant says they are very tough. You can connect a line pressure gauge and get pressure readings in the different gears. This is how you diagnose a transmission.

 

Sorry, typing while frustrated is never a good idea. Let me clarify.
I was in a drive-thru when smoke started rising from under car. I pulled forward and could see a trail of tranny fluid behind me. I drove to an empty parking space about 1000 feet away and shut it down. I could see fluid running out from tranny line, so I jacked it up and found the line broken.

I spliced in a rubber fuel line and topped off the fluid, then started car and put in gear to run it through the lines. All appeared fine and I drove the rest of the way to work (20 miles). Just before I pulled into the lot it started slipping in and out of drive, so I figured it was still low on fluid and I just parked it.

This morning I started it up, let it warm up and checked fluid, it is on full mark and no leaks. It has no forward or reverse at all. Perhaps it shook some sediment loose and it stuck in the valve body, I don't know. I only have a basic understanding of automatic trannys.

 

Most likely you burned up a clutch. You could drop the pan clean or replace the filter. Clean the pan and then refill to see if that was your problem but it does not sound good.

 

Hate to say it but that was probaby the coup de grace


Cheers
DD

 

I was afraid that might be the case, but I couldn't stay where I was. I had to drive it that last bit to get to a safe place to park.

 

Another quick question...looking for opinions. What is the easiest way to pull the tranny? When I replaced the engine I pulled engine and tranny as a unit. Are the top bellhousing bolts accessible from underneath? Or should I just pull engine again?

 

No need to pull the engine.

When I had my XJS trans overhauled the mechanic (who never worked on a Jag before) had it out of the car in less than an hour.

Cheers
DD

 

Cool. I don't have the luxury of a lift, so this will be done with the car up on blocks. But if I can do this without pulling the motor, that will make things much easier!

 

Jamey! your in luck! i just so happen to have an XJS V12 tranny and TC laying around that i would be willing to part with on the El'cheapo.


but if you want an opinion. i doubt you burned up a clutch. you would at least have reverse. my guess is that your TC went out the window after being worked hard and overheated post bleedout.

 

Wouldn't the torque converter make noise if it went bad? I have a spare in my shed...lol

I know you have a tranny and I thought about it, but the cost of it with shipping is more than what it would cost me for a total rebuild kit. So it wouldn't really make sense.

 

the cost of shipping would probably be more than the price i have listed for the entire trans.

rebuilding transmissions is sort of a hobby of mine, so i say go for it and replace the TC while youre in there.

the TC wouldnt necessarily make noise if it was bad. you should do a line pressure check before you start R&Ring that trans.

if i was you though, and i had a working V12... i would be all over a Johns 4 speed right now.

 

Is the pump for the tranny actually the TC? So if there is no line pressure, the TC is gone? Or is there a seperate pump inside? What pressures should I look for?
Believe me I seriously thought about the change to a standard. BUT, there is the cost of the switch, which is not cheap.

 

the pump is behind the pump face on the front of the trans. the pump face is behind the TC and has about 10 bolts that hold it to the front of the trans. the TC turns the input shaft, which in turn turns the pump.

if the TC, input shaft, or pump are broken the transmission will not operate in any forward or reverse gear.

a standard tranny is gonna set you back some cash, but a 700R4 is cheap. hell, the 700R4 i put in my XJS cost me $200 and i was able to easily find it in the bellhouse pattern i wanted. overdrive gear FTW!

and the Johns car swap kit isnt too overpriced either. i think it comes with a bellhouse adapter and a driveshaft? not sure. you could have a working 4 speed auto with overdrive for less than a grand.

 

So when I get the time I will check line pressure, but there is no way to distinguish a bad TC or the pump if there is no pressure, correct?

 

as long as I have it out I'm thinking about putting in a shift kit. Anyone have experience with this and it work well?

 

do it. thedrivenman has shift kits that let you adjust your shift points.

ive got a TH400 BOP bellhouse that has the full blown shift kit with extra frictions and steels. it shifts like a ton of bricks.

 

If you no pressure then you have a failed pump or broken ears on the pump drive. If you have line pressure and it doesn't move you have possible TC but more likely burned clutches.

The torque converter housing is bolted to the flex plate. The housing it what drives the pump. Inside the TC is the stator and turbine. This is what is connected to the input shaft of the trans.