I'm an idiot, and my echo is VERY forgiving

[corbetjackson50]

I just bought a 2000 echo with 235k on it. I bought it from the original owner who drove 180 miles round trip to work. I paid only $700 fot it, I figured i got a steal since the high mileage was due to his work commute. I drove it home about 50 miles and decided to do a little maintenance (oil change, change brake pads, check fluids, etc) I pulled it in the garage put it up on jack stands and started the oil change drained pan and filter. I added 3 qts of oil and checked level, it was a tad over full. I figured I would not add anymore and take it off the jack stands and check again. Still over full, I then decided to drive it a bit and check again, still high. I didnt think much of it and let the wife start driving to work about 110 miles round trip. 3 days later the tranny slipped very minorly when she first left the house, we thought nothing of it until it did it the very next morning when she left. I checked the fluid and it was bone dry. I added about 3/4 of a qt. and it appeared to be at propper level. It drove fine the next day. when she got home I checked again and it was low again, so I added the rest of the quart and looked under the car for leaks. Thats when it hit me! I saw two drain plugs (every car I have had did not have a drain plug for the tranny you had to remove the entire pan). I seriously drained the tranny dry and added 3 qts of oil to the engine and then drove it 500-600 miles with no symptoms that the tranny shifting slow 2 times when cold! I have since got the fluid levels in check and drove another 200-300 miles and it appears to be fine. I am impressed!

Just thought i would share my brain fart moment and how the echo handeled it. Hopefully it hangs in there (fingers crossed) I would think if it was hurt i would know by now.

[frbl]

Congratulations on the steal, I mean, deal. I would have jumped on it at that price, too. You're right, being mostly highway miles that mielage is not as bad as some might think.

As for your mistake - 50 lashes with a wet noodle! Well, you learned from it. And even if it means getting a new transmission in the near future I think you'll still be ahead as far as the total cost of the car.

BTW, I have Scion xA. It and the first generation xB are close cousins to the Echo and many of the mechanical parts are shared. Scour the internet for Sxion xA/xB forums for DIYs and the vast majority will apply to your Echo. PM me if you want a few forum websites.

Good luck!

[Billiam]

Hopefully no damage was done to either the engine or tranny. I've got my fingers crossed for ya.