A4LD Pump questions

[tbe2002]

Ok, well after fighting with my old transmission for along time it finally gave up. I decided to get a fully rebuilt tranny. It was suppose to a new pump, seals, clutches and stuff that was warn. I then bought a new torque converter to go with it.

Now we go to this past weekend when I tried to install it. I decided when replacing the tranny I would pull the engine too and replace the oil pan gasket and rear main and just freshen up the engine a little. So saturday I installed the engine first. I then added about a half a quart of tranny fluid to the torque converter and installed it. I spun it until is seated all the way back and turned it some more. It seemed to turn just fine. So we installed the tranny.

Right before we lifted it up for the last time, I reached in and made sure that the torque converter was still seated all the way back. (Which it wasn’t, it has moved) I then reseated it and made sure it was all the way back and it turned easily. We then lifted it up to the engine. The torque converter bolts lined right up no issues. We then tried to turn the engine by hand. I notice it was a little harder, but eventually moved. #1 mistake.

Fast forward to starting the engine the next day. I first added about 4 quarts of tranny fluid, I then attempted to start the truck. It cranked really slow and then I heard a clunk and it started right up. I proceeded to add more fluid, it started to spill out the vent tube. I was like humm. I then unplugged a cooler line and there was no fluid being pumped out.

I know I killed the pump and will have to get that replaced. My question is what did I do wrong, are there any tips or tricks to keep this from happening again? I plan to have someone just replace the pump. What else could be damaged from this?

Thanks for the help.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Keep the transmission at a slight angle while installing it to prevent the torque converter from coming out of place. The front of the vehicle could be placed at a slight angle if it's on ramps.

 

[tbe2002]

Thanks for the fast reply. Wouldn't I have problem getting the torque converter bolts in if it wasen't lined up correctly? and the tranny even fit up there perfectly too. I would think that one wouldn't line up. Do you think that I damaged the torque converter? What should I look for?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's hard to determine what kind of damage there is without pulling the torque converter out. I put the transmission on its back, and wiggle the converter into place. Then I carefully place it on a transmission jack, and lift it up into place.

 

[tbe2002]

I plan to pull the whole thing. Do u think that ther eis a chance that I didn't damage the pump and that maybe the torque converter is just not seated? In other words should I try to pull it, reseat it and then reinstall everything and try it again? or pull it and have the pump replaced then start over?

 

[swamper8]

Sounds to me like the front pump was not properly lined up. I just got my transmission back in the vehicle yesterday and prior to that I was having trouble getting the Torque converter seated all the way. I finally pulled the trans. out from under the vehicle, placed it upright and reinstalled the TC. As you twist it it will make one clunk and set in about 1/2" (I think this is the input shaft starting to engage the TC). Twisting it some more should yield another clunk where the TC engages the front pump and the TC drops in another 1/2" (total distance from the edge of the bellhousing to the TC should be >1.6" (at the base of the bolts). I was having trouble getting it to go that last 1/2" or so and the only thing I could figure was that the front pump moved while it was being torqued down, causing it to bind. Hope that helps, but at this point I think I'd pull the bellhousing and see if the pump is damaged or it just wasn't engaging.

 

[tbe2002]

thanks for the help with that. I think I only got the first clunk and it only went back about the 1/2". If that is the case do u think that the pump may still be ok? I still plan to pull it all back apart and check it out, but that make perfect since. Thanks.

 

[tbe2002]

Ok well just thought I would update this. I pulled the tranny a couple days ago and the torque converter was def damaged. You can see where it cought when it seated. It did also damage the pump. So new pump and torque converter and I should be good to go to give it another try.... Thanks for the help. I will update once it installed.