Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Checks before warranty expires

[Crowhurst]

My truck's standard engine/drive train 5yr/100,000 mile warranty runs out in January (90 k at present). As a newbie to these great trucks, auto trans, and indeed, this nation, I wonder if I should check some things before the warranty expires. The truck runs well, and uses little oil. What made me think of this is that the last two mornings, at about 30 degrees here in Maryland, the truck was reluctant when stone cold to reverse up my son's driveway, about a 15% slope. If it was manual transmission, I would expect this to be a problem, and the engine would stall. With my auto trans, the engine revs, but the truck is reluctant to back up the slope. After a few minutes, when the truck has warmed up, the reversing up hill is no problem. Is this a normal behaviour of an auto trans, or is it the beginning of defective torque converter slippage? If the latter, is that covered under warranty? Should I carry out the converter stall test at page 21-219 in the service manual? This made me wonder if there are any other things I should check before the warranty expires. Thanks guys. Nick.

 

[LSMITH]

Check out the trackbar, tie rod ends, ball joints, steering box, pitman arm, steering shaft, and steering dampner. I would be surprised if you made it to 90K without at least a good portion of them needing replaced.



The trans should pull just fine regardless of temperature IF you let it idle in NUETRAL for 20-30 seconds before trying to move. In park there is very little fluid movement, and the TC can drain back causing it to be very sluggish. Give that a shot next, if it is still sluggish until warm there is something that needs looked at.

 

[Bob4x4]

Sorry standard warranty covers engine only not drivetrain. At 90k you need to have a concern (complaint) to have anything checked under warranty,if nothing is found you will probably be charged a diagnostic charge. Remember the tech looking at your truck needs to put food on his table too. If you have a service contract make yourself a list of failed components. At 90 k odds are good you have brittle gaskets and weak seals in that trans... . good time to up-grade that trans before you take out any expensive hard parts or get stranded. Good luck

Bob

 

[A Johnson]

As far as the engine goes I would look for oil leaks at the front tin cover, rear main seal, and fuel leaks around the fuel pump throttle shaft area. I would also look at the exhaust manifold ports #1 and #6 for signs of shrinkage or leaking gaskets.



A Johnson