Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How long can a transmission Last?

[hammersley]

Auto I mean - I know this is very subjective - and severely impacted by driving habits, but these are machines and they wear out. In Biology to get a handle on chemicals a test was established known as the LD 50 test. The LD50 is a standardized measure for expressing and comparing the toxicity of chemicals where LD 50 is the dose that kills half (50%) of the animals tested (LD = "lethal dose"). The animals are usually rats or mice, although rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and so on are sometimes used. So for an original AUTO transmission, with say na EZ or VA ONLY - what mileage would be reasonable before a rebuild would be needed? (For example in my case I have 100,000 on my 02 and no transmission problems yet. ) Likewise if you fully go through the transmission, and then bomb as we did Germany, what can one expect? Now I know there are probably way to many factors as folks who really bomb may be on the ragged edge of durability, let alone driving habits that are brought out when one bombs - but if you spend 3-4,000 for a new transmission - bomb her up - are you looking at a replacement in say 100,000, 200,000, 50,000 or what?

 

[rrausch]

Transmission life depends more on how often you change the fluid, (and use the proper fluid) than anything else, short of insane high h. p. levels. Mine was still going pretty strong at 105,000 miles and would have lasted a lot longer if I had wanted to baby it along, but I didn't. My truck got bombed at about 50,000 miles and towed a TT. At 107,000 I got the ATS Stage IV trans and I am still in love with it! When they cut my old TC open at ATS it wasn't too bad. It WAS slipping, which meant it was only a matter of time until the heat/pressure from slipping degenerated the stock TC Clutch and sent little bits of crud circulating around the trans. That kills 'em pretty fast. The stock T. C. Clutch lining is a paper-like material. This ATS TC Clutch lining is a Kevlar/Carbon/Cellulose material, made by Raybestos, and will NOT slip, melt, burn, degrade, crumble, or otherwise come apart. I am expecting about 300,000 miles out of the TC and probably 150-200,000 out of the rest of the trans. Maybe more, if I stop street-racing those ricers from stop light to stop light!

 

[DHawthorne]

We have a 96 CDT Auto here at the shop with 156k on it. Does not tow alot, driven around this area and on the Big Road to and from jobs. transmission juice gets changed out every 50k with filter. My sons truck needed a new one at 118k. It towed a fifth wheel. It is also a 96 CTD Auto.



I got a hard box now, don't think it will need anything soon.



Dave

 

[Pit Bull]

I have 50K on mine and changed the fluid and filter at 30K and plan on changing it again at 55K, 80K, 105K etc. No flushs for me!!! Mine is a daily driver (stock) with no towing and I drive like an old man. I am sure it will last 100K miles since I bought the stupid 100K extended warranty. After that I will either upgrade the TC or do a ATS or DTT complete upgrade. But at 20K miles a year I have time to see which is the best way for me to go.

 

[Dr.Kayak]

Standard Warranity on Auto?

Anyone know what the standard DC warranity is on the auto?



3 years 36k miles?



Thanks,



Chuck

 

[LSMITH]

Servicing the transmission does not contribute much to its life unless the fluid gets burnt. If you tow you need to change it, if it is a great big car to you it is a waste of money to service it more often than every 30K, 50K would be a reasonable interval. The stock transmission if you get a good one is darn tough. I have done things to mine that would make you shudder and it is still going, just over 100K on it.

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

transmission

I am on my second transmission. The first had 102k when I grenaded it in mud that was about 7 in. below the window sill. I was too poor to afford an upgrade and traded the blown transmission for the labor of installing the junkyard transmission. I am assuming here but I should be around 420 flywheel ponies. This junkyard transmission has 150k miles on it right now. My miles plus previous miles. I sure dont feel like a new one but it puts up with my very severe driving characteristics. They appear to me with a tc upgrade to be very durable. I really only expect 150 k out of any one transmission before rebuild due to my very bad driving habits. I do practice the three M's of car ownership regularly. MAINTANENCE MAINTANENCE MAINTANENCE. High performance vehicles require High performance maintanence. Ask any race car driver.

 

[BGDUMMY]

My '96 is just now showing signs of slipping & shudder. It has 153,000 on it, so now it is time to let the fun begin and get a proper transmission upgrade done.

 

[Snow man]

Hammerslay,your question is a tough one to answer. I am a certified pesticide applicator,so i know very well the meaning of LD50,since its one of th measurements used to put a value on toxicity,and the level of potential danger. I know of 2 guys with stock CTD auto's who have gotten over 300K on them,and both always had a trailer behind them 24/7. A 3 car hauler with a GCWR of 18-25K regularly. I feel this is the far end of what you'll get out of it. Some of thses trannys are coming thru with clutches out of spec,and or Gov pressure soenoids that are out of spec,those trucks often hunt,and can burn a trans in 10-20Keasily. I do feel with regulay service that 90% of the CTD's wil get to 100K limes without trouble if it isnt bombed or pulled over the GCWR. I see a lot of trucks with 3. 54's that are way over 16000,and they wonder why they have transmission problems---. If you already have 100k,i bet your will last another 100000 if it was maintained,and not abused.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by LSMITH

Servicing the transmission does not contribute much to its life unless the fluid gets burnt. If you tow you need to change it, if it is a great big car to you it is a waste of money to service it more often than every 30K, 50K would be a reasonable interval. The stock transmission if you get a good one is darn tough. I have done things to mine that would make you shudder and it is still going, just over 100K on it.

Your right. I will go with the 30K just to maintain my extended warranty. Thanks

 

[chuck3]

Re: Standard Warranity on Auto?

Originally posted by Dr. Kayak

Anyone know what the standard DC warranity is on the auto?



3 years 36k miles?



Thanks,



Chuck

Yes chuck, its 3 or 36.

chuck

 

[Pit Bull]

On the new trucks it is 7 year 100K drivetrain warranty. I don't know if that extends to the CTD engine but it should.

 

[Koa Man]

I change my trans fluid every other oil change, which is about every 6000 miles. Reason is I tow and carry heavy loads daily, lots of hills, stop and go city driving, etc. I see temps up to 260* when backing a trailer up some driveways or climbing some of the steep hills on residential streets at around 25-35 mph. See chart below. To me, $30 worth of transmission fluid every 6000 miles is cheap compared to a $3800 modified transmission.



Automatic Transmission Fluid Oxidation

Automatic transmission fluid will provide 100,000 miles of service before oxidation occurs under normal operating temperatures of about 170°F. Above normal operating temperatures, the oxidation rate doubles (useful life of fluid is cut in half) with each 20° increase in temperature.



The approximate life expectancy at various temperatures is as follows:





175°F 100,000 miles

195°F 50,000 miles

212°F 25,000 miles

235°F 12,000 miles

255°F 6,250 miles

275°F 3,000 miles

295°F 1,500 miles

315°F 750 miles

335°F 325 miles

355°F 160 miles

375°F 80 miles

390°F 40 miles

415°F Less than 30 minutes





This information clearly shows why transmission oil coolers and the various maintenance intervals are recommended for severe usage.



Above 300°F, the metals inside the transmission will warp and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of overheat. Because this damage occurs and fluid life is so seriously impaired, rocking out of snow, mud or sand should never exceed a very few minutes.