Pre Tested Used Transmissions For Sale
Question: How do you know if a transmission for sale is any good if it came out of a wrecked car or where ever you get them from if you can’t drive the car first? Are any tests performed on used transmissions in order to assure me that the transmission is sound and has plenty of life in it? I can’t afford a rebuilt transmission, but how do you know if a rebuilt or remanufactured transmission is rebuilt properly and is not going to be a defect?
Answer: We feel the same way you do, we will show you legitimate proof that any used transmission purchased was tested and would last longer than the guarantee. Or a rebuilt transmission as well. I also think that any legitimate transmission supplier understands that qualified customers want to make sure they get their money’s worth.
After saying that, you would be correct in thinking the transmission should be tested. Obviously if the car was wrecked it may be hard to test the transmission. Without taking the transmission apart:
#1. Start with checking the quality of the transmission fluid. It has to be pink, just like it was when it was fresh. Any discoloration is a sign that some problems may be brewing up, but are not showing up yet.
#2. The two machines used to test that a transmission or engine is working properly both cold and hot are: A. a dynamometer and B. a professional grade electrical system scan tool – tester.
A dynamometer is a large and expensive device that a transmission can be bolted to and simulate all of the driving conditions most people encounter. For a transmission, the dyno has an power source of some type to power the transmission. To complete the tests a scan tool or analyzer has to be hooked up during the test cycle on the dynamometer to monitor critical functions of the electrical system. Some of the fancier dynamometers have the scan tools and testers built in.
The two tests should be performed at the same time, and for at least an hour. The main reason for the long testing period is: many transmissions will work great cold, but act up hot. For a transmission, since it does not have any heat generated such as an internal combustion engine, it takes a good 30 minutes to warm up to operating temperature. I feel an hour is the necessary amount of running time to prove the transmission is healthy both hot and cold.
Remember, a used transmission is used, and at the time of installation, request that a new front pump is re-sealed. Note: It is one of the seals/leak areas that requires transmission removal if it leaks. Make sure you change the transmission fluid and filter, and last make sure to flush the transmission cooling system out with the proper type of flusher.
Not every used engine supplier runs these tests. Instead they use good old fashioned luck. Luck is a good ingredient, but scientifically proving the transmission is good is the only way you will convince me. That is why GotTransmissions.com has outperformed the competition for years. The only transmissions they sell go through this rigorous testing procedure.
The reality is that even though the equipment to run these tests is not cheap, it actually saves everyone money by not selling the troublesome transmissions. It costs someone money to have to pull a defective transmission out of a car and wait for another transmission, that is also not tested to arrive. Think about it.
