Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 47RE is making metal dust

[John - K5AWO]

In another thread I posted about upgrading from the OEM tc to a SunCoast 3 disc w/487 valve body.

All went well except that the transmission was full of dust when the change out was done. We washed everything, flushed the oil cooler and new filter of course.

After about 700 miles, the shift solenoid stopped up and had to be replaced. More fine particles of metal dust in it and the pan. The transmission has now been serviced 4 times at about 800 mile intervals and there is still metal dust, plus the transmission fluid drained out each time is black, not red.

The SunCoast tc has a drain plug, so we are able to do what amounts to a complete flush excluding what is in the transmission itself and the valve body which we aren't taking off each time.

Anyone have a similar experience? And if so, do you think this is just a case of the oil cooler did not clean out as much as I had hoped it would?

The transmission is shifting good and feels good. The check engine light comes on from time to time, but SunCoast says I need to insert a series resistor in the line to the line pressure sensor because their DC487 vavle body increases the line pressures.

Thoughts on this please. I'm of course hoping it will stop making metal and last me for a long time. Replacing the transmission is not in my budget right now. For that matter, the tc and vb went on a credit card. transmission has 116,000 miles on it right now.

Also, I wondering what effect this fine metal dust will have on the new TC ??

 

[zstroken]

transmission really needs to be pulled, metal dust is from something rubbing probably. Carriers, pump, metal to metal is never good. Also the check engine light from the govenor pressure being too high, means your going into limp on the transmission which means your starting in 3rd gear. THis makes even more dust.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I failed to mention that when the check engine light is on, that the transmission is being manually shifted to prevent the 3rd gear startup.

I really don't won't to admit that the transmission has to come out and be rebuilt for monetary reasons.

But if the metal dust does not stop, there won't be any other solution.

Was just hoping someone had seen this and was lucky enough to have the dust stop after a few flushes.

 

[BWagnaar]

Your check engine light is from voltage being too high to the governor solenoid, did you add a 100ohm resister to your wiring harness?
When that code comes up your transmission goes into limp mode and will start off in 3rd, you can only get it down to 2nd manually.
This happened on my truck and the resister fixed it and changed the way it shifted and drove completely.
I would call Suncoast and they can tell you were to wire in the resister. Good luck.

 

[Misenheimer]

Is the over run clutch going south on you. I put a shift kit in my 47re and it had a lot of dust on the magnet and in the pan. How is the shift into OD with a load? If it flares the clutch is not holding and it is the first thing that is put into the case when you rebuild it. I got around rebuilding mine by blocking the accumulator for the OD shift so that it would have a positive shift.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Bob, Ernie of SunCoast told me about the resistor. I don't think it has been installed as of yet. I will call PJ in San Marcos, CA and ask him to get that done as soon as possible. What wattage resistor is needed? I assume a 1/2 watt would be enough?

PJ tells me the shifts are solid and no slipping. I assume that is because of the new style DC487 valve body from SunCoast.