Could an oil change have destroyed my transmission?

Question

In July 2017, I got my oil changed at a Walmart (not my idea, but I figured it would be cheaper) for an upcoming roadtrip. During the trip, my transmission went out. I figured it was time to ditch the '08 Nissan Sentra because I knew the model was notorious for transmission issues. My family, however, insisted that it be fixed. The car was towed cross country to a family mechanic and the transmission was replaced. Over the course of four months, the car was test driven (and eventually would go back cross country), the oil was changed, etc. Absolutely no problems..it was running great! Last weekend, I returned to the same Walmart because I figured it absolutely HAD to be a coincidence. Here I am, four days later, with a broken down car and (what I suspect to be) transmission issues. I am so devastated and I'm not sure what to do. At this point, I'm becoming skeptical about this whole situation being a "coincidence". I am not sure how to approach this problem, but I am completely willing to begin a legal battle if that would amend the situation due to the incredible stress I've been in from this car. I just want to make positive that this is even probable scenario.

Answer 1

You need a definite reason the transmission failed. An oil change, done correctly, cannot affect the transmission. Mechanics are supposed to know the difference between a transmission and and engine. If they put the wrong type of transmission fluid in your transmission, or even worse, drained it instead of the engine crankcase, they could have ruined it. They also might have added too much oil to the engine, not having drained it and risk engine damage too. Those things can be checked. The circumstances point at Walmart after twice the transmission failed after they got their hands on it. Tears for you.

Answer 2

To quote another user from another question, never trust those oil and lube places. Many of their employees take no pride in their work.





Good luck with legal battles. Walmart close to as big of a company as Amazon.

Answer 3

Seems a bit of a coincidence. Maybe there's a badly trained mechanic (I use the word loosely here) who thinks the transmission drain plug is the sump plug, but impossible to prove.

Answer 4

They changed the ENGINE oil (I hope) not the transmission oil.

Answer 5

It's doubtful that Walmart ruined your transmission. There is a problem with certain cars where coolant will get mixed with the transmission fluid. On some cars, the transmission fluid cooler is integrated with the radiator. Sometimes, a leak will form, and the fluids will mix. It is called a strawberry milkshake due to the color and consistency, and it will ruin a transmission fairly quickly. Check the transmission fluid, and see if it has turned light pink. If so, that's why your transmission went bad.

Answer 6

1. First mistake: Going to Walmart. Returning there? Well...not a good idea.

2. If you haven't had it looked at by a mechanic you have no idea what's wrong.

3. Legal battle? The fees would WAY more than a 10 year old Sentra is worth.

Answer 7

Diapers? Walmart. Change oil? Garage.

Answer 8

It's not always "cheaper" to have high school drop outs play with your vehicle at Walmart. I'd find out what type of ATF they used in your tranny.

Answer 9

An oil change cannot harm your transmission. Towing can, not will but can, harm your transmission. And fooling around with things you don't understand can harm your transmission. Sabotage can harm your transmission. But an oil change is not on the list.

Answer 10

no an oil change will not destroy your transmission. maybe the walmart screwed with the car, maybe they put motor oil in the transmission fluid fill.

Answer 11

If they didn't put enough in, yes.

Answer 12

You need to investigate what happened. Either they topped it off with the wrong stuff or they thought the transmission fluid drain plug (if it has one) was the engine oil drain plug or it just randomly kicked the bucket. If none of the above appeared to have happened then given its age that's about how long those CVTs last for.

Answer 13

Maybe

Answer 14

Simple answer is no. The engine oil does not affect the transmission.

Answer 15

An oil change has zero effect on transmissions

Either they screwed up or it was a coincidence

Answer 16

I think you are grasping at straws !

Answer 17

Logically speaking, the engine oil has nothing to do with the transmission.



Having two transmissions fail after visiting the same Walmart is rather suspicious.



-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972

Answer 18

No, lack of maintenance is the normal reason.

Answer 19

Unless the guy at Walmart is a complete moron then the two should be totally unrelated.



I've seen people do some pretty stupid stuff over the years (drain transmission and try to pour oil into a full engine, pour oil into transmission, pour ATF into engine, leave drain plug out and pour oil through engine onto ground, etc.)

Answer 20

I give it a 1 in 1,000,000 chance.



If you have a couple thousands of dollars to blow... Have a certified mechanic remove and disassemble the transmission, documenting everything. When they are done, you will now have proof that your tranny failed independently and won't waste even more money trying to outsmart Wally Worlds multi-million dollar legal team in court.

Answer 21

That is a possibility. Some automatic transmissions require a special type of transmission fluid to work properly. In addition, a fluid change includes a filter change, and a cleaning of the transmission oil pan.