The transmission pump is a vital component of a car. And if your car is failing to reach its full power and be the roaring beast it once used to be, then it may be time to get that checked.
Every car enthusiast or driver should learn to recognize a failing pump and replace it when necessary. However, in general, car parts can be pricey, like most auto repairs.
Thus, it is important to know what the costs would be like if you need to change them. And having a good idea about the transmission pump replacement cost in case of emergencies can be extremely helpful.
Before getting into the replacement cost variations, you should understand when and why the transmission pump should be replaced.
Reasons for Replacing Transmission Pump
There are several reasons why your transmission pump needs to be replaced. The following are a few things to look out for deciding when you should get rid of your old transmission pump:
1. The Transmission Is Noisy
You might hear some unusual sounds coming from your car while driving. These will sound like buzzing or whining. The humming can eventually get louder, and the overall driving experience becomes very noisy.
In general, a transmission that makes too much noise regularly is not a good thing. The most common reason for a loud transmission is that it is jammed or clogged because of the running fluid. This is a sign that your vehicle’s transmission is becoming weaker and needs to be replaced.
2. Burning Smell and Overheating
Any sort of energy being used will generate heat, and the same goes for the transmission fluid in the transmission pump. A significant amount of heat and friction is needed for a car to run.
If the car parts inside get overheated, the transmission fluid will thicken. The thick fluid becomes very hard to run through the pumps’ filters, which leads to the transmission not being greasy enough to work.
Less grease means there is a loss of lubrication, which will generate a lot of friction and heat. This will result in a burning-like smell of the transmission fluid. Burning smells coming from a car is no good business.
3. Difficulty in Shifting Gears
Shifting gears becomes very difficult when there is less transmission fluid or if the fluid is very thick. The transmission fluid gets thick when it is contaminated with dust and other particles.
Thick transmission fluid does not flow very easily within the pump. As a result, you will notice that shifting the gears in any direction takes a lot of work. This is another obvious sign that the transmission pump needs to be replaced.
4. Leaking Fluid
While your car is running or even if it is standing, you may notice that there is fluid dripping from the bottom side. This indicates that the transmission pump is not pumping fluid properly, causing the fluid to leak out from the car.
As more and more fluid escapes, there will be lesser fluid within the pump itself, and it becomes difficult for the pump to work.
People Also Asked
Different Costs for Replacing Or Repairing Transmission Pump
It can be a bit tricky to determine the cost of replacing your car’s transmission pump. This is because the cost depends on several factors. Several things need to be considered when determining the transmission pump replacement cost.
You can choose to replace the entire transmission pump or repair the different parts of the pump separately.
Some people consider buying a whole new car instead of paying for the cost of transmission pump replacement. This shows that the cost narrows down to your personal preference of replacing the transmission pump or repairing its different components.
You should also keep in mind that the cost itself is not just based on the transmission pump or its components alone. The cost of labor that the car mechanic or dealer will demand is also a key factor.
A transmission pump is made up of several important components. The transmission filter, torque converter, clutch, solenoid, valve, fluid, and oil pump are a few vital components. To get started, we will look at the separate costs of these components.
1. Transmission Fluid and Filter Cost
The price of the transmission fluid itself is relatively low. Depending on the mechanic or your dealer, transmission fluid cost usually ranges from $80 to $250.
The costs of filters are in the range of $15 to $30. If you have the proper skills and are extremely car-savvy, then you will be able to replace the transmission fluid and filter yourself within just $40 to $90.
Whether your car has an automatic or manual transmission, the cost of the transmission fluid will fall within this range. Usually, when the transmission fluid needs to be changed, the transmission filter needs to be changed along with it.
So overall, as mentioned, the cost of replacing the fluid and filter would be around $80 to $250.
2. Torque Converter and Clutch Cost
A transmission pump will have a torque converter and clutch for pumping the fluid. The cost of a new torque converter ranges from $150 to $500.
If you can replace the torque converter yourself, this is the only cost range you will have to consider. But if you need to get it replaced by a mechanic or your dealer, it will cost around $600 to $1000 in total.
Repairing clutches can be rather pricey, and you will most likely need a mechanic to do the job for you. New clutch repair will cost around $1,225 to $1,416.
3. Valve and Solenoid Cost
The transmission valve is one of the most important parts of the transmission pump, along with the solenoid. That being said, these components are also very pricey to replace. The cost of completely replacing the valve body ranges from $300 to $1000, and the solenoid would cost $50 to $300.
4. Full Transmission Pump Replacement Cost
Apart from the ones mentioned above, a transmission pump consists of a lot of other components. The starting cost for replacement is usually $2500. Depending on the model of the car, the replacement cost can be up to $4000 or even $6000.
Final Words
In the end, the transmission pump replacement cost depends on how you want to replace it. You could get separate components and replace those individually or get a completely new transmission pump.
These, along with the type of car and its configuration, will help you determine how much funds you would need to set aside.
Hello, I’m Michael Rosales an expert in cars. As a little boy, I have always loved cars. Over the years I became lucky to have the opportunity to work as a car dealer. It was at this stage I became vast in the knowledge of cars, things you need to know when buying cars and how to minimize cost while still getting your dream car.