Failed Auto Transmission due to oil leak

BailMeOut

I took my car to the official dealer for some routine work last year. Separate to this work they pointed out that the transmission was leaking oil and that the gaskets should be replaced and oil topped up. I approved the work and they replaced the gaskets and added 1l of transmission oil at a cost of EUR240.

Fast forward about 10 months and while driving on the M8 car gets stuck in 3rd gear and big warning on dash about transmission problems. Stopped car and had towed to dealer by AA.

Dealer saying that the gaskets they replaced were fine and that the sump on the transmission has a small hair line crack that caused oil to leak. There is zero damage on the sump that would indicate that it was hit by a rock or driven over something.

The car is now a write off as the transmission is destroyed and a replacement way exceeds the value of the car. The dealer wants to walk away from the problem as they say the issue was not caused by their original work.

The sump would have been removed when they replaced the gaskets.

So from what I can see there are these possible scenarios

1. The original diagnoses was wrong and the original oil leak was from this crack and not the gaskets.

2. The sump was damaged when the work was completed. Who knows the mechanic could have dropped it or the bolts tightened too much

3. Maybe all was 100% ok when they replaced the gaskets and the hairline crack developed coincidently afterwards and had nothing to do with their work.

My question is do I have any recourse here? I cannot prove anything and it is possible that the dealer is not at fault. All I know is that paid EUR240 to have a transmission leak fixed and now I have no car but the dealer is the only person who touched this area of the car.

Anyone any thoughts here?

Thanks!

JoeySully

I think the problem here is not checking your fluid level once over a 10 month period. The damage could have happened as you drove out of the garage when the garage completed the work.

I think its an expensive lesson to lean but maybe you should check you fluid levels more often? But then you don't mention make/model/year. It may not have a auto box dipstick.

BailMeOut

JoeySully wrote: »

I think the problem here is not checking your fluid level once over a 10 month period. The damage could have happened as you drove out of the garage when the garage completed the work.

I think its an expensive lesson to lean but maybe you should check you fluid levels more often? But then you don't mention make/model/year. It may not have a auto box dipstick.

It is a BMW so the transmission is sealed and levels cannot be checked. The computer will tell you if you have problems or low levels. All routine service was followed up to this point as per the dealer and car maker.

JoeySully

OK then it would be hard for you to check it then.
So you got a low level warning light and pulled over. Id be asking why the level warning did not come on before the damage was done...
Perhaps a second hand box would be an option??

BailMeOut

JoeySully wrote: »

OK then it would be hard for you to check it then.
So you got a low level warning light and pulled over. Id be asking why the level warning did not come on before the damage was done...
Perhaps a second hand box would be an option??

I guess my question is whether or not the dealer needs to take some responsibility for this. They removed and replaced the sump and shortly afterwards it cracked, leaked and my car is now a write off.

burke027

I'm gona give you ur first proper bit of advice.
1 u say they removed the sump and fitted a new gasket. That's a very common prob on bmws.
2 there is no way the only needed to replace the oil with 1 litre of transmission fluid.
3 the oil needs to be drained first from the sump. Then the ring of bolts holding the sump on. Then the gasket replaced and the sump replaced. Then they need to replace the oil and it will be around 3 r 4 litres so start there with them. Maybe they didn't remove the sump. I smell porkys any way

burke027

And if u require anymore info just ask.
By the way what year and model is it I might be able to help in greater detail. Either way there is no way they done that work and only used 1 litre of oil.
I have on many many of a time replaced BMW auto box sumps and I can tell u something isn't adding up there.
But on the other hand the fact is its ur car u should check the levels even tho its 10 months later.
But give me more details and il give U the exact amout of oil and cost of parts. I might even be able to help you with a gearbox

jetfiremuck

If its a gm transmission it may be in limp mode. Id have an indy look at it. A repkacement pan and gasket might get you sorted. What year is the car.?

BailMeOut

burke027 wrote: »

And if u require anymore info just ask.
By the way what year and model is it I might be able to help in greater detail. Either way there is no way they done that work and only used 1 litre of oil.
I have on many many of a time replaced BMW auto box sumps and I can tell u something isn't adding up there.
But on the other hand the fact is its ur car u should check the levels even tho its 10 months later.
But give me more details and il give U the exact amout of oil and cost of parts. I might even be able to help you with a gearbox

PM sent - thanks!

Sorry doubled checked invoice and it was 3 litres of oil not one (EUR25 / litre)