While driving the engine starts to rev high

TYBRINK

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA TERCEL
1.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
68,000 MILES

Hi! I'm having trouble with my car. It does have the 3 speed auto (I know).

Well, I was driving at speed and it sorta started to rev high, I obviously pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After awhile I started it back up, It seemed to go fine, but would sorta "groan" when I let off the accelerator to slow down. Well, then I pulled over checked my fluids, noticed my transmission fluid was slightly low, added some. Back on the road doing just fine. The car has very low miles approximately 68,000 was probably "driven by an old lady to church" who never changed the transmission. Well, I called a mobile mechanic after the problem persisted. It would work, then get to a certain temperature, and then stop working, and this repeated itself. Finally the next morning, I got it into a shop (of course the local Toyota dealer was the only person to be able to get me in). Recommendation; replace transmission, blown head gasket, and a L CV that needs replaced.

The mobile mechanic said it could be a filter problem in the transmission since it's sat so long, another mechanic told me it could be an old wives tale. Then the Toyota dealership hymns and haws about not being able to find the parts, and it's going to be really hard. So I should just sale them my car on the spot? (As I assume someone on the lot really wants it)

Thoughts?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

So it is hard for us in these cases to determine over selling vs under selling. Meaning, which is correct? The mobile tech that said it could be just a filter vs the dealer that said the transmission and head gasket need to be replaced.

I will say from the start that if the dealer is correct, I would not spend that money on this vehicle. I would buy another vehicle with that money and whatever you can get for this one.

However, with these being so different, we need to get a second opinion. If you don't have another shop in the area, then I would go down to the dealer and ask them to actually show you what they are seeing as to why it needs these repairs. If you don't know what they are saying, just take notes and then let us know what they said.

Here is the info about a head gasket test. They should be doing something similar to this to determine it needs one.

As for the transmission, just have them show you why and that may be correct based on what you were saying happened however, they should have some more info then just "this is what it needs."

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Let us know what they say. Thanks

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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 3:11 PM

TYBRINK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Kenny,

I sure appreciate you getting back so quickly. I took your advice, however, it's just a huge pain in the arse. I'm actually as we speak having a family member meet me here to tow it back home (Utah.) It's just very suspicious to me, because like you said; I did ask these questions; and their reply was well; 'this is what it is' I challenged back with: "well, can we just change the filter and put in the new oil and see what happens? (Even offering to pay for the supplies, labor, etc.) The retorted, "no that just won't work. They began to tell me no because the tech couldn't even get it to reverse. I promptly reminded him, that they had just removed all of the oil that was in it? So, I contacted a reputable transmission specialist back home, who after talking with me over the phone said it sounded like some sort of seal that could be warped since the problem arises during operating temperature. I'm sure you are more aware of what they are talking about than I. But, it makes me feel better to know that I'm not crazy for trying to ask these questions, and should be given an answer to them. If you do think of anything, though this description is vague, I'm much appreciative. I just feel like I'm getting the run around. If the transmission needs to be replaced, that's fine, I just would like to know why it works fine, and then all of a sudden, it doesn't. That doesn't sound like a fried transmission to me, just sounds more involved than that. But, as I said I'm not expert.

Thanks,

-T

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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 3:26 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

You may not be an expert but you have a good 6th sense for this because you are exactly correct in your thinking. It is unfortunate that you have to such lengths to get this handled but if you have someone that you trust, then that is who I would take it to as well. Worse case scenario is they say it needs everything the dealer said but as you said, that is fine but at least you feel good about fixing it. Clearly putting a transmission in it would probably fix these issues but it sounds like an over repair to me as well. Again, it could be correct but I wouldn't spend any more with any business that is not able to make me understand what I am paying for.

Please keep us updated on how this turns out. Thanks

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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 4:07 PM