Last updated on July 5th, 2023 at 08:46 am
Before I begin this, I need to ensure you first understand how a torque converter works. It is the engine rotational power that distributes energy to the transmission which uses a torque converter. There’s a possibility for the converter to be mounted and installed onto a flex plate around the engine and transmission. This allows the crankshaft to spin the flexplate and create the conversion effect.
You will find a pump that has lots of blades under the cover of the torque converter. What these blades do is work with the crankshaft of your engine as a propeller, making transmission fluid to move smoothly onto the impeller blades.
Note that this blade’s assembly is placed to the input transmission shaft. Also, the amount of hydraulic pressure that is produced inside the transmission due to this process is what determines the gear and speed of the vehicle. Related How to Fix Torque Converter Problems
2012 Toyota Camry Torque Converter Recall
Any time you find out that your car manufacturer has an open recall, ensure you act immediately. What you need to do when your car has a recall is that you should endeavor to contact them for more information.
There’s a recalls campaign for the 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY: 13V014000 on 01/16/2013. The recall components are:
- Airbags:
- Frontal:
- Sensor/control module which are affected
Note that this is because of a faulty torque converter and an engine control module software combination glitch in the vehicle.
However, it is the duty of the carmaker to ensure you’re fully aware of any flaw on their equipment.
Torque Converter Seal Replacement Cost
There’s the possibility of tear and wear on the internal parts of the transmission when your vehicle has transmission leakage. And this has the potential of leading to full failure of your transmission due to the leaking seal.
A complete replacement of the torque converter seal when you observe it is essential. I understand that you are concerned about the pricing, but note that is even affordable to change the torque converter than changing the entire transmission assembly once it completely fails.
Once this happens, the repair will be expensive. This is because the only way you can get the torque converter seal in your vehicle is to completely take off the transmission.
However, the torque converter seal replacement cost from $500 to $1000, or even higher. Though this depends on how difficult it is to remove the transmission.
2013 Toyota Camry Torque Converter Recall
Any time you find out that your car manufacturer has an open recall, ensure you act immediately. Note that the affected Toyota cars might show intermittent transmission shudder whenever you drive about 25 and 50 mph. This is because of a faulty torque converter and an engine control module software combination glitch in the vehicle.
What will happen is that the Toyota dealer will have the torque converter replaced and the ECM software updated. But you must note that this repair has to be done under the powertrain warranty of Toyota which is 60,000 miles, or five years.
To know if you qualify for this service, you have to call your local Toyota dealer providing your vehicle’s identification number.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Torque Converter?
With $150 and $350, you can get a torque converter. This simply shows that it is inexpensive depending on the vehicle, and if you have the intention of doing it yourself, then the repair might cost you between $150 and $500.
However, a repair shop might charge you between $600 and $1000 to have it replaced. This is because it takes 5-10 hours of labor to take off the transmission before changing the torque converter.
2013 Toyota Camry Torque Converter Replacement Cost
Torque converter exact replacement cost depends on the model of your vehicle, so since you are looking at the 2013 Toyota Camry torque converter replacement cost, it will range from $600 and $1000.
You can also opt for the fluid to be flushed/changed too, but this may incur extra costs depending on the repair shop.
2012 Toyota Camry Torque Converter Replacement Cost
Get a mechanic to first inspect it before you make any decisions. This is because the cost of having your torque converter repaired is much higher than it was replaced.
A repair shop might charge you between $600 and $1000 to have it replaced. But if you have the intention of doing it yourself, then the repair might cost you between $150 and $500. Related Article: Catalytic Converter Scrap Price List and Worth
Here’s How to Diagnose the Problem
The steps below are how you can try diagnosing the problem yourself. Make sure to pay attention to unusual shuddering, slipping, lurching forward or strange noises.
- Allow your car to run for couple of minutes
- Make sure to lightly press down the gas for several times
- Now push the brake and shift the car into drive
- Next shift slowly through each gear
- Try to listen carefully while you accelerate
Here’s How the Torque Converter Seal Is Replaced
- Once your technician has inspected the vehicle and verified the leak
- Then your vehicle will be jacked up for easy access to the transmission
- Other parts will be loosed so that the transmission can be removed
- Remove transmission and torque converter from the vehicle
- Take off old seal, then clean the surface and install new seal
- Put back the torque converter and transmission to the vehicle
- Put back other components you removed and check the transmission fluid level and top up if needed.
- Put the vehicle down and test it for leak rectification
Conclusion
Always remember that before it completely breaks down, a converter might slowly fail within weeks or even months. This means that driving a vehicle that has a damaged converter can be risky since this can completely disintegrate once it breaks down. This can even add up metal debris into your transmission fluid.
So a complete replacement of the torque converter seal once you notice any issue is essential. This is because it is even affordable to change the torque converter than changing the entire transmission assembly once it completely fails.
Note that depending on your vehicle, transmission and the engine will both have to be taken off in order to carry out torque converter seal replacement What to read next: Signs of a Bad Torque Converter
