So I bought a 2000 CRV at an auction, started driving it around and after a few days it wouldn't shift into gear correctly. I'd start it, go about a block, then it would try to shift gears but couldn't and the engine would just rev. I'd have to stop, turn if off, wait a few seconds, start it up, drive about a block, and repeat the process. I thought checking the atf might help so I looked under the hood and found it. But there was no dipstick. Just a gaping hole into the transmission. And there was atf fluid everywhere. So now I'm thinking the transmission is shot but I don't have a lot of money to fix it. Do you think this is something a guy with some tools could do? Should I get it from a pick a part? Any help is appreciated!

 

I think the first thing you should do is try and get a dipstick tube and dipstick from a pick-a-part. Install the dipstick tube on your trans, clean everything off really well, drain whatever is left out of your trans pan, and then refill it with the correct amount of Honda fluid. A typical drain-and-fill takes about 3-4 quarts, but it's been tossing its cookies out that hole in the top of the trans for some time now so I'd expect a good bit of the fluid capacity has been distributed over your town's thoroughfares. Once you have the correct capacity of the correct fluid in the transmission, then evaluate how well the trans functions and take it form there. These old 4-speed autos are pretty robust. A well cared-for one can make it 200k-300k miles. A neglected one can still see 200k. If the trans has sustained some trauma from this incident, it may still make it 30k with some fresh fluid. If it behaves well on fresh fluid, I'd do a drain-and-fill of just the pan capacity after about 500 miles, and then again about 500 miles later.

How many miles are on this transmission?