C6 Automatic No Fluid - Ruined???
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C6 Automatic No Fluid - Ruined???
I have a C6 question. It's in my buddies old 71 Thunderbird. It had been stored outside and this week he had to move it. We're up in northern Canada so it's still pretty chilly out. He put a battery in it and got it running. He idled it for less than 5 minutes. Started it a few days later a couple of times for 2-3 minutes each time. Everytime the car stayed in park. He then went to move it and it did nothing when put into any gear so he turned it off. We pulled the tranny dipstick and it showed no fluid. Turns out the tranny had leaked over the winter. Did he wipeout the C6 by running it a couple of times at idle in park with little to no fluid? I don't want to fill it back up again if it's burned up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
I would think the only way you will know for sure is to add fluid.
I also think the likelihood of damage at this point is low.
My own recent experience was with an AOD in an old F150 that had not been run in about 10 years. I got it started and discovered the truck would not move. The transmission fluid did not even show on the dipstick. Apparently there was a pan gasket leak and about 2 litres of fluid leaked out. Added 2 litres and the truck moved just fine.
I also think the likelihood of damage at this point is low.
My own recent experience was with an AOD in an old F150 that had not been run in about 10 years. I got it started and discovered the truck would not move. The transmission fluid did not even show on the dipstick. Apparently there was a pan gasket leak and about 2 litres of fluid leaked out. Added 2 litres and the truck moved just fine.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
you should fill it anyway for two reasons.
#1: to see if it is still good. my bet is the trans is fine other than the leak.
#2: how are you going to find the leak if there is no fluid in it to leak out?
the problem may not be in the trans at all, it may be something simple like a rotted out cooler line.
#1: to see if it is still good. my bet is the trans is fine other than the leak.
#2: how are you going to find the leak if there is no fluid in it to leak out?
the problem may not be in the trans at all, it may be something simple like a rotted out cooler line.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
Consider that the leak must have come from the lower portion of the transmission and not from an internal failure. This means something like a pan gasket or shifter shaft seal. Most of the fluid is carried in the torque converter and likely remains in the transmission. So, sacrifice a couple liters of transmission fluid, see if the transmission still works and find that leak!
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The last C-6 I had could be counted on to need a bit of fluid after being unused for even a couple of months. The converter drains back, and it runs out the top, not really sure where, didn't care, just filled it each time it was drug out and put back in service. It was in an F-350, with a built 460, and more than once it was run up the road with less than a full charge of fluid, near as I can tell, it never hurt it a bit, when full of fluid, it would still do second gear chirp, and third gear scratch, when you were on the throttle. Finally sold it due to the fact that it was only used a couple of times a year, and it had to be recommissioned every time, (mess with the carb, fill the trans, etc.) Replaced it with the 1996 F150 4.9, 5 speed, finally fuel injection, and no leaks.
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Thanks everyone for the knowledge and advice. When I looked underneath, it was dripping from the bottom of the bell housing but I couldn't see the source. We're in the middle of spring thaw and I have two herniated disc's so I haven't been able to get underneath to investigate further. I had just assumed it was the front seal that had dry rotted because the car has been sitting unused for most of the last 5-10 years. It drove and shifted fine last fall before it was stored.
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