From my service woman I got this assessment after I got the news that the transmission needed rebuilding ($2700, including P&L, with a new transmission that she can order); is the below a real possibility or a remote possibility?

"Compression test is good, but there is a chance that the eccentric shaft that runs through the motor may have been affected by the transmission shaft, he said its usually ok, but no way of telling since its internal, and that's the only other thing that can go bad (along with the compression) the shaft that comes from the transmission wallows and shakes inside the back of the motor."

Compression Test Results:

7.1 6.8
6.9 7.0
6.9 6.8
__________
291 298

 

Um, are you sure you or they got those numbers right? Those scores on the engine are failing at anything above about 260rpm, and I'm assuming those 291/298 numbers are the RPM. The scores are low enough at that RPM you should have other issues, like hot start problems, poor gas mileage, etc...


As far as the transmission, don't take their $2,700 price. As noted in the other thread, you could get a used transmission for $800ish without much difficulty, if price is a problem. You noted that the $2,700 was a rebuilt price in the other thread, here you say it's new, so I don't know which to believe.


But generally, no, it isn't a real possibility. I have only once seen a report of an engine problem from a transmission failure, and somehow the e-shaft cracked. It was immediately obvious that the engine had severe damage. Consider that you way overpaid for the clutch and pilot bearing replacement before, that should really be a new bearing in there, and you have nothing to worry about in regards to the transmission breaking the engine.

 

I am encouraged to hear that the situation may not be as grim as was painted. You think that the compression numbers are incorrect, though?
Sorry about the confusion on the transmission - it is a new one that they are offering & the rebuild price is $2700, including p&l. What is your guess-timate if I go elsewhere for the labor?

 

You haven't made a single reference to any engine related issues, even irritations. The scores you posted should have you complaining quite a bit. So either you really don't know what a healthy engine should feel like, or there is something wrong with the numbers you posted.


This doesn't clear up the confusion any

Rebuild = They remove your transmission, open up the case, replace gears, syncros, and anything else they find damaged or out of spec, then re-assemble it all back together re-using whatever they didn't replace, and reinstall it in your car.

New = They have a brand new transmission shipped into the dealer. They remove your transmission, and install the new one without bothering to open up the old one.

So "offering a new one" with a "rebuild price" is contradictory.

If you want the transmission rebuilt, you can expect $2,000-$2,500 at a transmission shop, including all parts and labor.

If you want a brand new one, you can get one from Mazmart for $2,000 + shipping + about $400 in labor to install it. That shipping amount may be the kicker that will make it about as expensive as a dealer.

If you just want it working for as cheap as possible, you can get a used transmission from a partout on this forum for around $800, plus $400 in labor to install it. This is entirely acceptable because our transmissions are actually really durable for street use (they start breaking 4th gear on hard race use). Most exceptions are using the wrong transmission fluid, though there are other cases of abuse or neglect, and the rare freak failures.

Our transmission is also not that difficult to remove/reinstall, I did it 4 times on my RX-8, 3 of them for clutches, and the last time I did it, it only took me about 4 hours start-to-finish (forced practice thanks to exedy stage1 clutch problems). So that $400 is a rough price on someone else to do the work, but it could be done for free with some basic tools and a set of jacks.



If I was in your shoes, I'd go find a cheap used transmission, put it in myself, and save the $2,000+.

 

I agree. There is no need to buy a new transmission for a used car. Save yourself a ton of money and get a used one with low miles from a junk yard.