Hey guys, just spent the last week moving out to Colorado (land of the butt cold) and finally got here. Now the problem - I towed my '88 Trans Am out here on a tow dolly, you know the type - drive the front wheels on to it, strap it down, and the rear wheels stay on the ground. I didn't disconnect my driveshaft, just left it in Neutral. I fired the car up when I got here and got smoke coming out from under the hood (and still do actually), where there is fluid splashed on the exhaust pipes - I think the fluid is tranny fluid because my car will no longer do anything when shifting it into Reverse - like it's still in Neutral or Park, however it works in Drive. So, I'm thinking I blew out something, the question now is what and what's it gonna cost? I'm going to try to get down to Target and get some fluid and fill it up (because it's low) but I'm just curious if you guys have seen/heard of this before.

I'd really like it if someone told me that it's all going to be okay, fill 'er up and let 'er rip, but I know that's probably not the case. Any ideas? Am I done?

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

i don't know for sure but i'd guess you can't tow a thirdgen like that (like you haven't figured that out). i'd say you broke the trans, lack of oil flowing thru it, maybe?

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd

 

I'd fill it up and try to drive it. but, you probably trashed it pretty good internally. Shoulda removed the d-shaft before towing, that's all.


Call a tranny shop and hypethetically ask them what would/could/did happen!!!

 

Its not to good, because you are spinning the Reaction Carrier assembly, all of its gears and Torrington bearings, not to mention all of the components against bushings WITH NO LUBRICATION! Since the engine is not turning, the pump is not dispersing oil, and components probably got starved for oil and failed.

Usually towing like that is OK for short distances, but several hundred miles (probably over a thousand) and its a sure fire way to trash a tranny. Sorry to have to break it to you.

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'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass,
SSM SFC, Boxed LCAs,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
KYB Shocks
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