The governor assembly cover (round metal cap) came off while I was driving on saturday, causing a loss of fluid in the transmission. It is an Art Carr competition 700R4 with a 9.5" converter. The car wouldn't move after the fluid loss (I was sitting at a red light, no go when it turned green).

I had it towed home and I put a new cap on the governor cavity on the side there, and refilled it with ATF. Took the car out for about a minute and it drove and all the gears were there. However, it did not shift nearly as firm as it was before.

Some people have told me to keep checking the fluid, it may not be full, and that there could be air in the system and wait till that gets worked out.

Opinions? I am hoping nothing burned up or broke internally. I did not smell any clutches burning or anything, and the last of the ATF that leaked out was red and not burnt smelling.

I called Art Carr and they said they;d get me taken care of, I have to call back later when the builders come in

 

when you put it in gear (engine running, e-brake on!), and check the trans fluid on the dipstick, how does it look?

 

I didn't check it like that.... I'll do that later. Would that give any indication of internal damage?

 

possibly. i doubt you hurt it, but that is a better way to check fluid level because the trans and converter are loaded up. be careful, you dont want to fill it too full. that can cause damage to. look for clutch material or foreign particles in the trans fluid, but i really doubt it did any damage if it emptied out fast. i had a c4 trans in my old 65 mustang do that very same thing, and it didnt hurt it.

 

Um...2 things here. You ALWAYS check GM transmission fluid level in PARK with the engine running! Second of all, a C4's governor is in the tailhousing...They don't even have a governor cover, so I doubt if you had one come off.

Frank