Automatic Transmission Bashed in, stranded in the woods

Correctamundo!

 

Looking at the factory manual, I'm not finding a code specific to fluid level. There are codes for low line pressure, which would be the most likely to occur if the pump is sucking air from low level.

For a short distance, too much fluid will not be harmful - you overfill for a normal level check anyway. If it's too low you will hear a knocking like sound from the pump sucking air, and of course it won't drop into gear and move. If you're guessing 2 quarts lost, put in 3 quarts. Start it up, listen for the pump knock. If no knock, try a gear - if it drops in fast, your fluid level is enough. If you're fairly confident on the fluid level, just keep going, otherwise drive it to somewhat level ground and pull the check plug. The check plug is for fluid at 104F, full operating temp is around 190F. I would guess around 1 qt between the two temps; if you check hot let it drain then add 1 quart.

 

thats a fairly simple trail fix, new pan and gasket and 5qts WS fluid. You can get everything in town at the Bishop Toyota dealership. I was just up there two weeks ago with @theesotericone with a rolled-over T4R on Coyote Flats on the Big Pine side.

I would see if all that is needed is just re-torquing the trans pan fasteners first before anything else

 

EDIT: I see they are in Central and not the Eastern region

 

Guessing he is somewhere off road from Fish Camp, CA by his description. Just a guess though.

 

Call a recovery team . If u end up doing it wrong u will just destroy his transmission. It would of been cheaper to get a tow

 

OP get eaten by a bear yet?

 

This.

I don't need to lecture anybody one "well what did we learn today?" because you've already got it.

What is your situation currently, and what's your location exactly? GPS...

I have people out there.

 

I seem to remember Toyota Care on my 19 included towing. You might consider testing the limits of that promise. There are guys who will pull you off the trail but it costs.

 

pull off the drive shafts and tow the bitch out,

 

I'm just wondering how mechanical OP and his buddy are. If it were me I'd get a whole bunch of fluid and then ease it back to the nearest road for a real tow (IE flatbed).

 

I would try that, get some kind of RTV plug the hole as best u can, get a 5 gallon jug of cheapest WS compatable ATF u can find at Walmart and keep topping it off till you get out of the woods, call AAA towing once u get to a paved road

 

In for the results.

Also i have a list of shit I'll be buying from the auto store now

 

Looks like another night on the trail .

 

OP ded

 

I got a chance to poke around this morning. The impact on the pan split the gasket and squeezed it out the side like a slice of avocado on a home made cheeseburger. I loosened the pan bolts and did the best I could to push it back in. Then took a good look at what spilled out and determined it was not very much. Upon starting the engine there were no leaks and the truck moved just fine. Decided to limp it down the mountain as it sat, and it did so without issue to the nearest paved road. I could not have made this decision without the help of you guys so thanks so much.

Didn't see any bears, although there were fresh bear paw prints in the dust around the truck when we got back to it. They didn't bother us at camp which was about a mile from the truck. For the record we were already spending 3+ days out there. We weren't unprepared to camp.

My buddy now knows to aim his tires for the high spots. He was dodging golf ball sized rocks on the way down.

I take partial responsibility for the whole thing. I knew he was inexperienced yet I let him follow me down a path that I was very familiar with and probably should have saved for when he had a few more trips under his belt.

 

I read every message just now---- lol the build up was real. Glad you guys are ok. Hopefully it can be fixed rather quickly. Anyone from the area know a shop nearby?

 

glad it all went well everyone is home safe

 

Pan and fluid replacement, relatively easy.

 

OP,

Care to let us know where you were? If not I understand.

Glad you made it out and no bear trouble!