a-apollotransmission

Common Problems

One of the more common problems encountered with automatic transmissions is a delayed engagement. This is when there is a long delay from the moment you make a gear selection (D or R) to the moment you feel the transmission engage. This can occur when the vehicle is only cold, only when hot or at any time.

When the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature, the transmission should almost engage immediately. It will feel like the vehicle wants to creep forward. As long as you have your foot firmly on the brake pedal, it should be a smooth engagement, without feeling like a strong jerk or clunk. Either of these situations indicates there may be more concerns.

If there is a long notable delay, approx. 1.5 to 2 seconds, from the time you make your selection to the moment the transmission engages, this indicated a problem with the transmission. It could be as simple as low fluid to more serious internal concerns.

One thing that you as an owner can do, prior to bringing your vehicle to A-Appolo Transmission is to check the fluid level.  Consult your owner’s manual for correct filling and checking procedure as this varies with different manufactures. Unfortunately there as some models that do not provide a means for you to check the level. In this situation, it is best to contact A-Appolo Transmission and seek expert advice.

If you are able to check your fluid level, remember it is very important to use the correct fluid type. The wrong fluid can lead to problems with shifting, torque converter clutch apply, or ultimately cause transmission failure. Again, consult your owner’s manual for the correct fluid type. One key point to remember, if your fluid level is low, you will likely have a leak somewhere.

Many transmission problems are not always a direct result of an internal problem. This is evident more so in today’s modern computer controlled transmissions.

Today’s vehicles are a wealth of computer technology. There can be a single computer or many computers used in your vehicle. These computers use inputs from many sensors located through out the vehicle. The computer uses this information to be able to properly operate your transmission. Something as simple as a speed sensor failure (approx. $50.00 to $200.00 to repair) can lead you to believe you’ve suffered major transmission failure.

A throttle position sensor located in the engine compartment will also affect transmission operation. Today’s modern vehicles have so much more technology that was used to put man on the moon. As you have just learned, today’s transmissions are very complex and complicated components that require expert service.

If you suspect you have a problem with your transmission, call A-Appolo Transmission and book an appointment for our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection.

Other Driveline Components We Fix

Though our name is A-Apollo Transmission, we actually repair anything in the driveline after the engine. That means we also
repair/replace manual transmission clutches, constant velocity shafts (front-wheel-drive drive shafts), transfer cases  (4X4 systems), and differentials.

Most clutch systems in manual transmission vehicles are very simplistic. The only variations that are common are whether the clutch is cable or hydraulically operated. Both types of system are very basic and other than wear and tear, not much affects their operation. The clutch disc itself is like large, circular brake pad, except instead of using friction to stop your vehicle, it uses friction to move your vehicle. That’s why when you clutch is worn out and begins to slip, there is a burning smell similar to overheated brake pads. At A-Appolo Transmission we use only the best replacement clutch kits.

Constant velocity shafts are like the old-school drive shafts in rear-wheel-drive cars of the past, with the exception that the joints are encased in flexible rubber boots that hold grease in to lubricate the joints. The main problem with these shafts occurs when the rubber boot fails and allows the grease to escape. This can be caused by impact with something sharp on the road or just cracking over time due to age and wear. Left unrepaired, the joint will wear out rather quickly, and instead of just getting a new boot installed with fresh grease, you’ll need to replace the entire shaft.

The transfer case in 4X4 vehicles is what sends the power from the transmission to the differentials. Some automatically change from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive, whereas others have to be manually shifted via a lever or button. These units are typically simplistic and rarely fail in comparison to other components of an automobile. Common problems are leakage of the transfer case due to an impact of the under side of the vehicle while off-roading, or seal failure due to age and wear and tear.

Differentials are what send the power to your drive wheels. They also allow wheels on the same axle to spin at different rates. When you turn a corner, the outer wheel on the vehicle spins at a higher rate than the inside wheel. If you didn’t have a differential to allow this to happen, and you had a solid axle between the two wheels, your vehicle would buck and groan as the wheels fought each other by spinning at different rates. Much like transfer cases, differentials are very simplistic and rarely fail. Common problems with differentials are seal leakage or bearing wear due to normal wear and tear.

If you feel you have a problem with any of your driveline components, please contact A-Appolo Transmission and book an
appointment for our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection.

Is My Car Worth Fixing?
The True Cost Of A Transmission Overhaul

You’re driving an older car that’s warranty has been expired for a number of years and then the transmission fails.  A transmission overhaul is never cheap or inexpensive if done properly, so it’s only natural to wonder if your car is even worth possibly sinking thousands of dollars into a component that you can’t even easily see or touch.

The main thing you need to realize is that fixing the vehicle you own is almost always the more cost effective route. If  you try to sell it privately, you won’t get anywhere near what the vehicle would be worth with a functioning transmission.  Plus, then you’d need to buy another vehicle.

If you buy another used vehicle, it may be in worse shape that your previous one overall. You don’t know who’s driven it, and you don’t know how it’s been maintained. Another used vehicle is never a good idea.

If you decide instead to trade in your current vehicle at the dealership in order to help buy a new vehicle, you need to realize that you’ll likely spend more in taxes alone on the new vehicle purchase than you would have on overhauling your current vehicle’s transmission. Plus, you have years of monthly payments to look forward to with a new car purchase.

If you like your current vehicle, other than the fact that it now has a failed transmission, then you will be further ahead to repair it and enjoy it for years to come.

If you suspect you have a problem with your transmission, please contact A-Appolo Transmission and book an appointment for
our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection. You never know, maybe our free inspection will reveal that your problem isn’t even the transmission but some other minor sensor or part failure. You have nothing to lose having us give your vehicle a free inspection. Call now..403-287-9700

Transmission Fluid Diagnosis

If you’ve recently started experiencing a transmission problem and wanted to check your transmission fluid level and
condition, then this article could help you. Transmission fluid is typically a clear reddish pink colour when new, and
over the course of its life that colour can change quite a bit, meaning different things are occurring.

The first step is to make sure you’re actually checking your transmission fluid properly in order to get an accurate
reading. When checking your vehicle’s transmission fluid, first consult your owner’s manual and follow their procedure for
fluid level checking. Many different manufacturers require differing methods (ie – engine running, in park, etc). It’s
best to use a white paper towel when checking and do at least 2-3 dips of the stick (wiping it down between dips) to ensure
an accurate reading.

Good level and good condition: If your transmission fluid is to the full mark and a clean reddish pink colour, then the
fluid is in good condition. You could still have a problem with your transmission, but it has not yet affected the fluid
condition.

Low level and good condition: If your transmission fluid is low, there is a leak. Unlike your engine which can “consume”
oil due to normal use, a transmission is a sealed unit. Have your transmission inspected as soon as possible to avoid
internal damage.

Good level but brown colour: If your transmission fluid has a brownish tinge and a slightly burnt smell to it, then there
is a problem. It could be just that the fluid is very old and no longer protecting the transmission’s internal components
properly, or there are worn components causing excess friction and heat. Have your transmission inspected as soon as
possible to avoid internal damage.

Good level but black colour: If your transmission fluid has a black colour and a burnt smell to it, there is an internal
problem. This would be caused by excessive heat due to internal friction. Have your transmission inspected as soon as
possible to avoid further damage.

High level and pink foamy appearance: If your transmission fluid is high and has a “strawberry milkshake” look to it,
then there is a problem. This is usually caused by a failure in your radiator. The transmission fluid is cooled by a cooler
built into your radiator. Sometimes when the radiator fails, engine coolant is allowed to cross-over into the transmission
cooling tubes and contaminates the transmission fluid. Have your transmission inspected as soon as possible to avoid
further damage.

It’s important to remember that due to the complexity of today’s computerized transmissions, that just because the
transmission appears to be malfunctioning doesn’t mean the actual problem is in the transmission. Your vehicle’s computer
gets signals from up to 32 separate sensors throughout the vehicle’s other systems and any one of these could be sending
inaccurate or no information.

If you’re experiencing any sort of transmission problem, please contact A-Appolo Transmission and book an appointment for
our FREE 21-Point Multi-Check Inspection.