Archived '06 3500 SRW 4x4 Transmission??

[CSalp]

Just now...

on the way to an appointment, experienced significant difficulty getting above about 45mph on the Interstate, got off the Interstate, and gradually (over the course about 2 to 3 miles), was achieving lower and lower maximum speeds, and had difficulty braking... when I pulled into the parking lot, where I was wheezing at ~10mph. Once I came to a complete stop, I could not move her any further.

I could smell fluid, and there was a few faint puffs of smoke along the way.



Is this likely the transmission?

Could it possibly be brakes?

Something else?



Thanks.

Chris

 

[AH64ID]

When was the last time you changed your fuel filter?

 

[HBarlow]

Give us a hint. Is it an automatic or manual six speed transmission? How many miles on odometer? What has the truck been used for ie constant heavy towing or grocery getter duties? What is service history? Will the engine rev to redline in park or neutral with brakes applied? Smoke?

 

[CSalp]

Automatic transmission
~74K on the odometer
a little bit of heavy towing, a moderate amount of off-road use, other than that, light use most of the time.
Last fuel filter change about 2 months ago.
Oil changes every 9 months (just changed a month ago) with Amsoil Heavy-Duty Diesel CI-4+ (As indicated from the odometer reading above, timeframe, not mileage, the predominant interval for this).
Overdue for a transmission fluid change (when I checked it, it seemed to be clean, though).
I noticed a slow coolant leak recently, but I have not addressed this yet, other than making sure the reservoir is full.

The temp gauge was up to about 200 during the initial incident, and there was a very small amount of faint white smoke, as well as a smell of brake fluid.
When I came back to the vehicle about 1. 5 hours after the initial post, it had settled down. I was able to pull her around into a better parking spot onsite, and the temp remained low. The brake pedal did not feel right, though.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[HBarlow]

Is the engine revving up and the transmission slipping? Or is it an engine unable to produce power? What does the tach show at the limited speed attained?

If the transmission has not been serviced before 74k miles neglect and need for maintenance could have damaged it but you're not providing enough information to enable a determination whether it is engine or transmission related.

 

[Sticks]

Original brake pads/shoes?

It was at about that mileage mine delaminated from the backing plate.

Check your brakes, brake fluid reservoir/fluid level, and for any wetness on the inboard side of the wheels.

Do you have gauges on your truck? EGT, Boost... If so, what were the readings when everything went bad?

 

[Hoefler]

Sounds like a froze up caliper not releasing.

 

[JHumphries]

Is it possible for the hydro-boost to not be releasing the pressure causing all brakes to lock up? I can't see one wheel slowing down the mighty Cummins that much. It would also explain the brake pedal not 'feeling right'.
The heat from constant brake pressure would boil the fluid, resulting in the smell.

 

[CSalp]

The engine is producing power...
Yesterday afternoon I stopped by the lot where it is parked, and started the vehicle. Everything seemed back to "normal" again.
I was able to rev the engine to redline while in neutral, per one of the earlier posts. (During the initial incident, I did not look carefully at the tach, but I don't recall it being above the mid 2,000s. )
I drove it around the parking lot, and everything seemed to be fine, including the brake pedal. I was reluctant to take it out on the road, for precautionary reasons.
When the brake pedal did not feel right (on Friday @ the initial incident), I would describe it as nearly seized up at first, and when I returned and moved the vehicle 1. 5 hours later, still kind of "muddy. "
On a separate note, I only have stock gauges... and, original brake shoes/pads.
Thanks for the replies.
Chris

 

[cerberusiam]

The engine revving in neutral is not indicative of it being able to pull the truck down the road.

When it would not move anymore does that mean you could floor the throttle and it would not move while the engine revved up? Would the engine rev in gear?

Does it mean the truck would not roll even in neutral with the engine on or off? Faint puffs of smoke from where? Where the calipers sizzling and popping?

Even with a stock engine and transmission ther eis no way 1, 2 or even 3 calipers hanging will slow the truck down to 45 mph or less. Even all 4 partially applied to slow to a wheezing 10 mph would have resulted in flames at all 4 corners.

From the description it sounds like watrer in the fuel and th engine was simply not able to produce power under a load.

 

[CSalp]

When it was slowing down and (eventually) could not move anymore, I was throttling it and the engine revved... in gear.

I saw a couple faint (very faint) puffs of smoke from the front end... it was breezy, so I can't give a more specific starting point for the smoke.

I could not hear any sizzling/popping from the brakes or elsewhere.

Chris

 

[JR]

Sounds like your describIng 2 Different issues. Revving the engine while in gear without moving (or barely moving) could be transmission related but would not explain your brake pedal issue. I would crawl under and around the truck and look for obvious problems. Dragging brakesas will get hot and leave a pungent smell at the offending wheel long after the vehicle has cooled. Check all your vital fluids and make sure they are at the proper level and do not look out of order or burnt smelling. What kind of fluid did you smell? Try to track it down if you dont know what it was. Usually the only way you will smell any fluid is if it is leaking or got really hot. Make sure your engine drive belt is intact and look for any vaccum lines that may have become disconnected. Were your gauges all showing normal? Did or do you have a check engine light come on? If you did you may want to have the codes pulled and relate what they are.

 

[CSalp]

FWIW, no check engine light came on, and I pulled codes yesterday (with my handheld reader) and none came up.

Chris

 

[HBarlow]

Drive it a mile or two at moderate speed and coast down to a stop with no or minimal brake application then use a handheld thermometer of a careful hand to check brake rotor temps.

 

[cerberusiam]

If the engine would rev and the truck roll, its the transmission. Go and drive it again and it is likely once it warms up you start loosing motion. Sounds like either the filter has plugged , low on fluid, or an internal problem.