Can a transmission just repair itself? (2001 Chevy Metro LSi)

oddtruth
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 00:32:41 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

So, I own a 2001 Chevrolet Metro LSi. It’s got the 1.3L original Suzuki engine and the original transmission in it with about 300,000 miles on both. I bought it about a year ago for $1000 and has treated me well ever sense. However, two nights ago something intriguing happened. I pulled up to a fuel station to fill my little car up (doesn’t take much). When I was finished fueling, I pulled out of the gas station, up a small and short incline a heard a big thud. While in drive, I just rolled backward and that, i thought, was the end of my transmission. When I put it in reverse, it would make a whining/grinding noise, same for drive, and I had to put the emergency break on for it to sit still in park. Regardless, I had to walk the 6 miles home in 19 degree weather with about 30 pounds of groceries. Anyway, the next day I called a mechanic and had them come pick me up so they could tow the car to their shop. I got to their shop and they left to go get the car. To my surprise, they pull up about 20 minutes later DRIVING the car as if nothing was wrong. They pulled up to me, put it in drive, reverse, park and everything worked fine. They guy told me that when they were pulling it, (redneck pulling with a chain), he decided to try to put it in gear and give it gas pretty hard, and the gears just “caught” as he described it. He still recommended that I get a new transmission or just sell the old car, but I don’t really have the money to get a new one, or replace the transmission, as most of us dont. Anyway, I need a second opinion. Is this type of occurance common, or is it it one of those once in a lifetime freak accidents? Either way, I’d like to know if i’m safe to drive it as it (it drove fine back home from the mechanic shop)? I’ve always only used it about twice a week just for bills/groceries/doctors appts, so It’s always lightly used. Thank you for your potential response and opinions.

UPDATE I posted this to another forum last month so I need to add that I have been easing the car around the town I live in only going to places I need to go once or twice a week. The transmission still seems to be shifting out smoothly and I am constantly checking the fluids. Everything seems good. I have the money now to get a good used transmission if I need to, but it’s going to run about $750 for the used transmission and the labor, so the question is still relevant. Should I worry about getting one and having it replaced?

16 posts - 11 participants