2003 Tranmission Rusted through!!!

[frank1]

My 2003 manual transmission had been leaking for the past two months. Checked added fluid daily. Business slowed down, took truck into local dealer to have serviced. Dealer has notified me that the transmission has rusted through!!! A new transmission will cost a little over six thousand dollars, installed!!! The trucks seven year, 70000 mile warranty is still valid. The truck only has 36,000 miles on it ! I've owned many vechicles over my life time and never heard of this happening! The dealer is waiting on a manufactures rep. to come down and look at the transmission, lost the truck close to one month! Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Frank

 

[B.G. Smith]

Unbelievable, might be a plate or cover on the transmissioon but every transmission I have ever seen was either aluminum or cast iron??? If there is a leak in the case, it might be a sand hole in the casting. If you have access to another dealer I would have it checked elsewhere. Gotta be a less expensive way to repair?? bg

 

[frank1]

Thanks for the quick reply, the dealer has all ready removed the transmission from the truck and "opened it up" to see if the cause of the rust came from inside the transmission??? Stayed tuned - FD

 

[HBarlow]

Watch them carefully. A dealer tech who would tell you a cast iron case NV-5600 has "rusted" through is either not very sharp or not very honest. He may have recently been promoted from the oil change bay.

 

[frank1]

Harvey - good to here from you again! You had given me some advise and information on a 07' 5500 front axle weight capacity ratings, about a year or so ago ( the truck was for sale out in Ohio). I did not end up buying that truck, bought a 04' International DT 466, W/ 16' dumping grain body. Back to my 03' dually, received a call from someone from Dodge about two hours ago. She told me she called the dealership where my truck is located and asked to talk to the service manager. However, " he was in a meeting". She stated to me she was doing a follow-up call. (I called Dodge about a week after my truck sat in the shop and the dealer would not go any further without me authorizing them to drop the transmission at a cost of $490. 00!). The total cost would be "removed" once Dodge deems the transmission faulty. In my eyes the transmission "FAILED", period, end of story. Just give me my new trans and off I go! I don't think it's going to be that easy - that's why I posted this tread. Hoping one of my fellow Dodge Cummins owners has any sugguestions that will help. Frank

 

[HBarlow]

I remember our message exchange now, Frank.

If you have any choices you might consider moving your truck to another dealer.

Labor to remove the NV-5600 shouldn't require more than two hours of shop labor at worst. A skilled clutch/transmission tech might do it in one or 1 1/2 hours.

I suppose you're already stuck with a bill from this dealer regardless of the diagnosis.

I wouldn't even participate in a discussion about paying $6k for a "new" NV-5600. It is not likely to be "new" anyway, probably rebuilt by an authorized Dodge rebuilder.

Standard Transmission in Ft. Worth, TX, a trusted and respected TDR advertiser is a great source for accurate information and reliable rebuilt NV-5600s at fair prices. They rebuilt mine in my old '01 back in late 2005 or early 2006.

Give them a call and inquire. They can ship you one and any good local shop capable of handling a 350 lb. transmission can install it for you.

 

[SRadke]

That trans is cast iron. It isn't going to rust though unless you put it in an acid tank. A pto cover may, but that's a 30 minute swap done without removing the trans.

-Scott

 

[MChrist]

Nothing shocks me from the dealership anymore. What DOES shock me, though, is that you have 36,000 miles on an '03!!! I'll be interested to see the outcome here. Please keep us all posted.

 

[amsoilman]

I can not imagine an NV-5600 (CAST IRON) transmission rusting out! I also have that same transmission in my truck, and it still has the original black paint on it, far from "RUSTING OUT". I would most certainly like to know "the rest of the story"

 

[frank1]

The service manager had made a comment back during the first week that they had my truck, " I see you have a plow on the truck, do you plow with it? " My answer was yes, I plow with all my trucks. After each storm they are all power washed and also I asked if he would like to see my 03' quad cab or my old and proven 92' extended cab, I would be glad to bring both down!!! Like I stated to the service mgr. a month ago, the trans. failed, replace it!!! Hoping the dealer rep. shows up this week! July 29 will be exactly one month that my truck has been out of commission!!! Thanks to all for your comments , Frank

 

[HBarlow]

You might want to consider informing fellow TDR members the name or at least city of the dealer you are working with.

 

[frank1]

Harvey good point. I would be glad to share the name of the dealership - Dick Greenfield Dodge in Lawrenceville, NJ. Frank

 

[frank1]

To Harvey and all fellow TDR members, I had put in a request into Standard Transmission regarding the price of a rebuilt NV5600. I also explined to Standard,what my dealer has told me-- that the transmission has "rusted through". Below is an e-mail I received from Mr. Lopez from Standard Transmission. By the way, I just received a call from "Lisa" at Dodge customer service. She told me that a dealer rep. will be out at the dealership on Wednesday July 28 to look at the transmission --- one day short of a month without my truck!!! Frank



"Noe Lopez" <nlopez@standardtransmission.com> On: Jul 07/26/10 9:52 AM



To: Frank D.



HELLO SIR MY NAME IS NOE. ITS PRONOUNCED NOE', BUT PEOPLE JUST CALL ME NOEY. RUSTED THROUGH HUH? WELL THATS A NEW ONE THE DEALERS ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH. THAT IRON IS WELL OVER AN INCH THICK MAYBE EVEN TWO. I'VE CUT SOME IN HALVES TO MAKE INTO DISPLAYS. ANYWAY SIR. THAT TRANSMISSION FULLY REBUILT WITH ALL NEW REPLACEMENTS FOR ANYTHING WITH SIGNS OF WEAR ON IT AND THE NEW POWER LUBE PACKAGE WE DESIGNED TO INCREASE LUBE CAPACITY, ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY, IS 3250. 00 W/EXCHANGE. OR 4250. 00 WITH NO EXCHANGE.

 

[HBarlow]

I hope Dodge buys you a replacement unit but if Dodge doesn't agree to replace your transmission under warranty don't hesitate to buy the rebuilt unit from Standard. They are honest and trustworthy and do exceptionally good quality work.

They invited me into their "clean room" which looked like a surgically clean medical facility and the bench tech showed me each part of my OEM transmission after it was chemically cleaned to like new condition. He showed me each part, told me what it did, showed me the few parts in mine that were worn, and suggested I replace them. They billed me only for labor and the parts actually replaced and provided a one year warranty.

TDR writer Joe Donnelly had his rebuilt by Standard in the last year and wrote an article describing his experience. He also enthusiastically recommends them. Joe lives in ABQ last time he mentioned where he lives.

 

[SMorneau]

I saw an ancient TSB that directed the techs to peen shut porous castings but it was concerned with lighter aluminum castings.

I suppose the case could be leaking but I sincerely doubt the rusted out part. I would not pay the dealer anything based you have posted to date.

 

[MAshley]

A few things come to mind...



1. PHOTOS ..... Have you seen the damaged area?

a. Is it a hole?

b. A Crack with a bunch of rust?

2. Is the truck setup for plow service?

a. Did Dodge and or the dealer prep the truck for snow service?

b. Maybe a hard hit into the snow caused damage and the trans is cracked over rusted through

3. Salt ? I could see a situation where salt just resting on top could eat away . . but I agree an inch+ of material is a lot even for salt to damage.

4. I don't understand why they would have to remove the transmission before the dodge rep gives his blessing or not for warrantee? I would suspect the rusted area would be pretty noticeable on the case, either with a mirror and or photos.

a. To me the act of removing the transmission is just a ploy to lock you in to the dodge dealer especially if Dodge denies warrantee.

b. If dodge needs it removed to decide I would also think and or feel that is there $$ on the line not yours. IF the gears inside striped and you lost say second gear why would they need to disassemble it before warranting it? Would losing the gear in X manor mean warrantee but Y manor mean no warrantee?

c. Seriously it take 30 days for them to look at it let alone decide? That should have been a few days process especially with it already out of the truck, They could have shipped the trans around the world in 30 days by camel.



I truly wish you luck

 

[frank1]

MAshley, yes the truck is set up for plowing, all my trucks are. I run a landscaping business her in New Jersey. From March through November my trucks are pulling 10,000- 15,000 pound equipment trailers and in the winter months they are equiped with snowplows. We finally had a real winter here on the east coast and we did a lot of plowing, especially in February with one storm totally 17. 5" of snow! I know you guys out west are saying wow we, but here in Jersey that was a storm! All of my trucks plus three sub contractors trucks were out for 32 hours straight. Plowing during and after the storm. I'am proud to say that nothing broke down on that storm. As far as pictures go, I did not take any photos. This dealer did not set up the plow. I only noticed oil on the driverside of the transmission. The only thing I'am waiting for the dealer or the manufacter to say they will not warranty any work due to the fact that I have fast coolers installed and a BD Short shift kit (which the stock shifter broke during a snow- storm in Dec of 09' , not a good time for a truck to go down!). As far as the dealer wanting to take down the transmission, I did try and asked for what reason? His response was he did not want to replace it and then later find out from Dodge that Dodge won't pick up the tab. At that point I told him not to touch the truck that I was going to call Dodge and explain to them what was going on. I placed the call but not much help, they said that dealerships stand on there own and if they recommened taking out the transmission there's not much Dodge can do for you! So her I am stuck,the only good thing is that tomorrow the dealer rep. is supposed to be at the dealership to look at the trans. I just want this nightmare over so I can move on!

 

[frank1]

Just got off the phone with the dealer --- Dodge rep. will not warranty trans. due to rust! According to the rep. the crack found on the trans was due to rust "eating" through trans. case. Blame me for lack of "care", there were many words exchanged I rather NOT REPEAT!!! Picking up truck tomorrow (actually getting it towed out). Frank

 

[SMorneau]

Unbelievable! I can hardly wait to see the pictures.

This is probably just me and my stupid principles but I would drive by a hundred Dodge and GM dealers to buy a Ford and its not about the trucks.

So maybe I'll change my mind about your problem when I see the pictures but for now I consider this one more nail in Chrysler's coffin. Someone give them a framing nailer so they can seal themselves up tight and get themselves buried ASAP.

I am sorry this has worked out this way for you and I'm sorry Chrysler does not deserve our business anymore; for awhile they had a decent company.

Scott

 

[HBarlow]

I am sorry this has worked out this way for you and I'm sorry Chrysler does not deserve our business anymore; for awhile they had a decent company.

Scott

"OUR BUSINESS?"

You don't speak for me, only yourself. You go ahead and drive on by the Dodge dealers if that's your choice. I will continue to drive on by you when you are broken down on the side of the road in your Furd.

I have no idea what actually occured in this case but even if it is determined the Dodge representative and the dealer were 100% wrong it won't change my appreciation for Cummins-powered Dodge Rams.

Frank,

Ship the OEM transmission to Standard in Fort Worth and have a local independent shop you know and trust install it when you get it or another one back.

It is possible the transmission case is cracked and it is possible the transmission case has surface rust but I won't accept the nonsense that rust caused the case to crack. Only a young twit right out of college with a marketing degree could come up with that explanation. Perhaps a driver's wet shoe allowed a foot to slip off the clutch in first gear and cracked the case. Standard will tell you when they inspect it.