Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Took 2006 TJ (with brand new engine) into the shop for first oil change and left with busted transmission

CincinnatiTJ

CincinnatiTJ

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So i take it in, first oil change on the new $7K engine (which by the way works EXCELLENT). Same garage. Totally trust the guy. When it was being backed out, after the oil change, I noticed some harsh jerking motions, completely out of character for the situation. I was then informed "something is wrong with your transmission." And ever since, I cannot put it in reverse. The dude didn't say anything else. I drove it off. Sure 'nuff, no reverse. Which was not the case when I brought it in. I have since contacted him, and yes, I am getting a brand new f**** transmission. He hasn't said anything about "the incident." My question to you, Dear Jeep Community: could they have busted it? I plan on speaking to him. But I wanted to run it by you folks first. thx! peace!
andy in Cincinnati
 
CincinnatiTJ said:
So i take it in, first oil change on the new $7K engine (which by the way works EXCELLENT). Same garage. Totally trust the guy. When it was being backed out, after the oil change, I noticed some harsh jerking motions, completely out of character for the situation. I was then informed "something is wrong with your transmission." And ever since, I cannot put it in reverse. The dude didn't say anything else. I drove it off. Sure 'nuff, no reverse. Which was not the case when I brought it in. I have since contacted him, and yes, I am getting a brand new f**** transmission. He hasn't said anything about "the incident." My question to you, Dear Jeep Community: could they have busted it? I plan on speaking to him. But I wanted to run it by you folks first. thx! peace!
andy in Cincinnati
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When it comes to the transmission, there are a couple of possibilities. It could be a coincidence that the transmission failed at that moment, but given that you had no issues before bringing it in, it raises valid concerns about whether they might have caused the problem.

Having everything documented can also be useful, especially if there are any disputes down the line.

Make sure to keep your receipts and any correspondence you've had with them. Consider also reaching out to others in the community or looking up reviews of the shop if you haven't already.
 
CincinnatiTJ said:
So i take it in, first oil change on the new $7K engine (which by the way works EXCELLENT). Same garage. Totally trust the guy. When it was being backed out, after the oil change, I noticed some harsh jerking motions, completely out of character for the situation. I was then informed "something is wrong with your transmission." And ever since, I cannot put it in reverse. The dude didn't say anything else. I drove it off. Sure 'nuff, no reverse. Which was not the case when I brought it in. I have since contacted him, and yes, I am getting a brand new f**** transmission. He hasn't said anything about "the incident." My question to you, Dear Jeep Community: could they have busted it? I plan on speaking to him. But I wanted to run it by you folks first. thx! peace!
andy in Cincinnati
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Folks that run shops learn to do a test drive so they don't wind up on the hook for oddball crap under the "every since you touched it" rule.
It is possible that they broke it, it is also very possible that it just decided to lose reverse right then without any input from anyone.

Unless he actually admits fault, there isn't a good way to prove anything.
 
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Make sure you're documenting everything...dayes, times of phone calls, keep notes as to what's discussing.

-Mac
 
Take a look at the transmission. Yes that means crawl under it. Anything look recently tampered with? If not then there is ZERO chance an oil change led to a transmission failure. Remember, these are old vehicles. You have already replaced an engine. Seems very possible/likely the transmission could have been not far behind.

People want to blame the mechanic for everything that goes wrong. Sure mechanics screw up from time to time but the reality is, stuff breaks on old vehicles….especially old Jeeps. Just the way it is.
 
Link said:
Take a look at the transmission. Yes that means crawl under it. Anything look recently tampered with? If not then there is ZERO chance an oil change led to a transmission failure. Remember, these are old vehicles. You have already replaced an engine. Seems very possible/likely the transmission could have been not far behind.

People want to blame the mechanic for everything that goes wrong. Sure mechanics screw up from time to time but the reality is, stuff breaks on old vehicles….especially old Jeeps. Just the way it is.
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I don't disagree with your position but I personally know of a few instances where a shop blew up Rubicon rear lockers after a build via some very spirited driving on pavement during the test drive. I knew them well and one of the main reasons I lost respect for them was a conversation with the customer who said he got a call and was told he needed a rear locker and gears and had to pay for them. Only an example to illustrate that you can't always know what happened.

I was less than pleased that I was put in the position of knowing both sides.

That said, my initial thought was to ask how many miles the trans has on it.
 
mrblaine said:
Folks that run shops learn to do a test drive so they don't wind up on the hook for oddball crap under the "every since you touched it" rule.
It is possible that they broke it, it is also very possible that it just decided to lose reverse right then without any input from anyone.

Unless he actually admits fault, there isn't a good way to prove anything.
Click to expand...

Totally agree , I've seen unrelated weird failures happen . The shop usually get the blame cast in their direction. Most of the time the shop didn't cause the failure. Of course the kid that does the oil changes could have been doing neutral drops and power braking it all morning too. There isn't a good way to prove either.
 
The TJs had at least 4 different transmissions available from the factory over the 9 or so years they were made.

Early TJ with the 4.0 engine automatics were different that later TJ with the 4.0 engine automatics with a similar difference for the manuals. I don't know if the 4.0 and the 4 cyl Jeeps shared those transmissions so there may be more.

Anyway we don't know what you're dealing with but if it is a manual transmission I'd think you'd get some warning about reverse going bad.

Unforunately, if you do have a manual we'll never know what some guy working at that shop that "THINKS" he can drive a stick may have done.
 
A couple of years ago I took my TJ to a shop to have new tires put on. While waiting, I saw them trying to move the Jeep into a bay and it was jerking, stalling, grinding, etc. One guy was walking beside the Jeep talking and one was in it trying to drive it. As it turned out the driver was “learning” how to use a manual transmission. I interrupted the lesson and insisted that only I move the Jeep. That probably violated their insurance rules but that is that I did.
 
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CincinnatiTJ said:
So i take it in, first oil change on the new $7K engine (which by the way works EXCELLENT). Same garage. Totally trust the guy. When it was being backed out, after the oil change, I noticed some harsh jerking motions, completely out of character for the situation. I was then informed "something is wrong with your transmission." And ever since, I cannot put it in reverse. The dude didn't say anything else. I drove it off. Sure 'nuff, no reverse. Which was not the case when I brought it in. I have since contacted him, and yes, I am getting a brand new f**** transmission. He hasn't said anything about "the incident." My question to you, Dear Jeep Community: could they have busted it? I plan on speaking to him. But I wanted to run it by you folks first. thx! peace!
andy in Cincinnati
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Is it a 6 speed?
 
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TurboTJ said:
A couple of years ago I took my TJ to a shop to have new tires put on. While waiting, I saw them trying to move the Jeep into a bay and it was jerking, stalling, grinding, etc. One guy was walking beside the Jeep talking and one was in it trying to drive it. As it turned out the driver was “learning” how to use a manual transmission. I interrupted the lesson and insisted that only I move the Jeep. That probably violated their insurance rules but that is that I did.
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Every damn time I took a manual to emissions in Aurora they'd shut the vehicle down by just holding the brake and letting go of the clutch in gear. Freaking idiots
 
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dbbd1 said:
I wonder if the wrong fluid got drained out and no refilled.
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Would not be the first time. Could be the new guy....

new tech SS.jpg
 
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May be as simple as the linkage clip fell off and as evil
as the shop who totaled my aunt Jaynes 260z into a guardrail or any where in between.

There was a shop in our area that had a pristine low mileage older Chevy truck getting an oil change- when the oil was out, the shop owner came over and cranked it and revved it to hear the pipes.

Most of the time, regardless of whats said, people know what happened.



Don’t fret, you have TV anchorman hair. With hair like that those guys don’t stand a chance.
 
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A $7k motor? Sounds like it may have a few more ponies added.

If that is the case, your new weak link became the trans.
 
CincinnatiTJ said:
So i take it in, first oil change on the new $7K engine (which by the way works EXCELLENT). Same garage. Totally trust the guy. When it was being backed out, after the oil change, I noticed some harsh jerking motions, completely out of character for the situation. I was then informed "something is wrong with your transmission." And ever since, I cannot put it in reverse. The dude didn't say anything else. I drove it off. Sure 'nuff, no reverse. Which was not the case when I brought it in. I have since contacted him, and yes, I am getting a brand new f**** transmission. He hasn't said anything about "the incident." My question to you, Dear Jeep Community: could they have busted it? I plan on speaking to him. But I wanted to run it by you folks first. thx! peace!
andy in Cincinnati
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What shop?
 
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