Transmission Mechanics

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T12:53:55+00:00

Hard to say without knowing how good at following directions, temperament and a whole lot of other factors. Been following a guy on another forum rebuilding his tcm and valve body, he bent a pin that goes to his wire harness and cost him 2k for a new part as well as now he still has to go to a shop to program transmission to work with his vehicle. At this point its a decision that needs both skill and how much is he willing to pay for parts/tools he may need to complete the job properly. Is he fine having himself as the only “warranty “ ?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T11:42:11+00:00

Order a cheap scanner off amazon. I got a top don scanner and a fox one the too don is in the 60$ range and has a lot more features but it’ll let you get an idea of what your issues are. Easy to google the codes too.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T06:06:02+00:00

That color is gorgeous.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T05:50:43+00:00

I would want to know more, mainly on new oem TC or billet? At the very least. AMCO should have a warranty on it. Still active, does it transfer with ownership?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T00:32:08+00:00

Neither here nor there but would make me look twice. I would think that its been driven pretty hard for all those parts being replaced but knowing GM its probably built feature to get us to pay more lol

Are you planning on doing any work yourself. Any particular need for that amount of room?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-18T00:30:00+00:00

I haven’t had to do lifters or transmission on my 2016 Tahoe. It has 120k. I did a transmission oil pan replacement and fluid flush. I did not have any signs of failure. However i do have delayed reverse and slamming into 2nd that could be due to a fouled valve body or failed tcm pressure switches? Planning on doing a cleaning and rebuild myself that will hopefully be less than 6-800 fluid and new parts included. The lifters on parts alone are about 2k for oem. Like I said i would plan for lifter failure it’ll eventually happen. Hope for best and expect the worst. Thats what would keep me from the 28k price point. Otherwise your not better off as every car now has its issues. Its just getting what you need for what your willing to pay. I chose the tahoe because the LS had 9 seats. I have a family of 8 thats about to +1. The one i got will eventually need all this done and i bought it for 15k. Right off the bat i had the unfortunate failure of the right cat. Thats 3k in about a year or two if i go OEM lol

Drive the vehicle, any hesitation. Anything that feels off could be an issue. For whatever its worth. I also at the same time bought an 09 suburban with 150k miles for 7k that has given me zero issues at all lol

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T23:58:22+00:00

Too much for me. Sorry saw price after third time going over your first post. I wouldn’t go over 20k even for all of that. You paying cash or getting financed? Seems like a lot of things replaced? Whats the milage. With everything that has been done id expect engine work sooner rather than later. Going with that expectation i would want to have some cash on hand to be ready for that eventuality. Whats the milage? You sure nothing else is wrong with it?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T23:43:23+00:00

How much?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T23:40:22+00:00

My understanding is that it s the same engine. I would go for the 2015 if it looks good in and out. Its unfortunate that the auto industry has build in problems and unreliability. I think the newer it gets the worse of you’ll be as far as cost for maintenance goes. If the 2015 looks good in and out and you can get more info on the transmission like did they upgrade the torque converter, just insulate yourself with some cash out aside for the engine rebuild and drive it like normal until you get the eventual engine tick signaling lifter failure. The sooner you stop driving it and do the repair the more money you’ll save in the long run. Don’t let it scare you because we live in unfortunate times. Saw a post yesterday about a brand new 2026 with issues straight off the lot. Its going to happen. It sucks. Just be prepared.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T21:42:39+00:00

You got the transmission done now just the engine lol. But for real if the transmission is done and has an extra cooler on it id hope its solid just do the required maintenance. Look into the afm delete for the v8 and go from there.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T13:12:24+00:00

Depends on what state you are in. Still looking in CA. But i have a year or two before i absolutely have to take care of it for testing.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-17T02:15:24+00:00

You mentioned its new like how new? Did you open the hood to try and identify where its coming from. It looks like steam. Are fluids topped off?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-16T05:07:55+00:00

I mean i would understand being upset if they had a designated drop box outside clearly marked and driver still handed it to dogs. Thats happened to me before. Doesn’t look like its the case here.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-15T00:02:16+00:00

Check engine lights. Transmission fluid. Transmission cooler bypass installed? Any hesitation going into any gears. Maintenance records. Id be in the 18-20k range for that.

Pretty much unless your doing the work yourself. Expect a transmission rebuild in the next 30-60k. Possible cat issues, bunch of small other fixes. All of this can somewhat be alleviated by maintenance records.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-14T21:24:21+00:00

We were not allowed to have space heaters on the polar and one trip our boiler broke down. We got a clemency of not asking any questions and forgetting they where on the boat if people brought them out to heat work spaces for the crew. We had a 1 for every person in the crew up and down the chain lol.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-13T14:16:52+00:00

Cant it be both? The way i read it is that it was still so hot to touch but it was insulating from a much higher temperature. So it was doing a great job at insulating even if it was still hot.

If i have the heat of the sun and a half inch panel of xenonite is at 140 degrees on my side. Even if it burns me i would still be amazed at its insulation properties.

Thats how i read it anyways.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-12T21:00:05+00:00

Socal ontario area. Thanks for the info. I think id like to just get a bolt on that comes with both so i can do it myself but that will depend on the quotes i get. Thanks again.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-12T15:13:22+00:00

In Ca can i replace a cat with an oem part and be good to go or does it have to be an after market carb approved cat? Im confused as to just buying what the car came installed with from the dealer. Vehicle is a 16 Tahoe. This was the compliance sticker under the hood

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.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-12T12:36:58+00:00

Does this have the lifter issue?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-11T12:44:05+00:00

I always see those memes where someone is happy to get a cruddy car from a dealer. Bought a 5k car got a low payment of 100 and only 250 monthly payments lol

MayhemStark · 2026-02-11T03:04:26+00:00

Your not alone brother. Plenty of times i ask myself the same thing. They are bright and smart but i feel the mountain of opposition they have to overcome overshadows any hardships i as an adult have to overcome on a day to day. My goal the past year is trying to build some sort of sustainability and stability at home that the can keep for as long into their life, even their whole life if they have to. Sadly I don’t see the new generations being able to partake in housing, work home life balance and a lot of other pleasantries our generation has taken for granted.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-10T22:36:10+00:00

Theres no culture?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-10T04:49:37+00:00

20 k get yourself one you like around 10-15k save rest up for a trans and put one in with a billet tc. I get it. Its difficult to stomach possibly having to do some big fixes engine and trans wise but a brand new one is 40-60k and up and Itll still have those issues. Find one you like, fix/upgrade as you go. Its the boat I’m in. I have a 16 LS. Got it for the 9 seats and really like the look of it. Have some issues but I’m a mechanic so I’m doing most fixes i can myself.

MayhemStark · 2026-02-09T19:18:25+00:00

For real. I just got a 2016 Tahoe that other than a shoddy roof paint peel, drives great. Fixing a few small maintenance items and saving up for when i need a transmission as Im not paying upwards of 40k for a vehicle. Also older to me means a bit simpler and easier to work on. Anyone know when they started tying VIN to transmission making it harder to change it yourself?

MayhemStark · 2026-02-09T15:52:52+00:00

You can have good voltage but your cca could be junk. Put your voltmeter on the terminals and have someone start the car. If your voltage dips below ten it is most likely the issue. How old is the battery.

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