Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) NV5600 Syncros?

[ABarrey]

Thanks guys, I'll change the fluid and look at the gears first.

Andy

 

[FLynes]

Dave,



Thanks for the reply. Guess I'll do some draining and filling one of these days... . did Blumenthal recommend an interval for fluid changes?

 

[DSeamans]

Change intervals

Dave,



Thanks for the reply. Guess I'll do some draining and filling one of these days... . did Blumenthal recommend an interval for fluid changes?

I never asked him that. I'll try to remember the next time I talk to him. I'd assume it would change according to your driving habits. I've always done mine at 20-25,000miles. I don't pull that often, but tend to drive a little agressively(according to my wife). Until ths change, the oil was always very clean and had no visible metal in it. I never had more than a fuzz on the magnet either. This time it was black and looked like a high metallic paint and the magnet was full. After only 4000 miles (i checked my book) with no pulling, that just isn't right. I would say to change it at the FIRST sign of any problems. If there is a problem and you take out the countershaft, that blows the $1000 core.



Dave

 

[DSeamans]

Synchros

OK, Thanks Dave-so you don't think it could just be syncros? I have 178,000 on it and was thinking about a South Bend Clutch when I did have to replace it. And you reccomend the Royal Purple or?

It could be Synchros at this point. Its hard to tell without tearing it apart. If you change those, I'd put in new bearings and seals at the same time to be safe. If the synchros are bad, shift very careful trying not to grind so you don't mess up the gears. See if you can find someone nearby that works on them and see what they think. If you go to the dealer, ask if they have done any. Mine said they were trained but had never pulled one apart. I wasn't interested in being their first!



Dave

 

[FLynes]

I decided to change out my fluid today, since my unit was at a charity golf tournament, and I can't golf anymore... . so I had the day off.



I went to AutoZone, but they only sell the Pennzoil Syncromesh two quarts at a time... what a waste of time, but I was able to buy a 17mm hex head socket, so not a total loss.



Then I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and asked them if they sold Pennzoil 3501, and they looked at me funny. After asking me what truck, they looked at the new Pennzoil catalog and it says "GLS" (not a typo)... finally after about ten minutes on hold with Pennzoil, the tech guy tells my parts guy it's Syncromesh... . he looks at me and says, "It's Syncromesh!", to which I replied, "Yeah, maybe I should have said that in the first place"... . I felt pretty dumb, but the parts guy is a friend, so all was cool. I bought seven quarts.



Got home and did some chores, let the transmission cool down and then went out and drained it... . fluid was still amber... . I had it rebuilt at 95,000 miles and I'm now at 124,000..... so 29,000 miles on the rebuild, with lots of towing... . not bad. No metal particles at all.



I found out real quick that the fill port wasn't going to cut it, when it started overflowing at 3 quarts, so I went in from the top and filled it up. I also added a bottle of Mopar LSD... I found that it works really well.



We'll see how 7 quarts fares, vs the recommended 4. 75 quarts... . I'm sure Blumenthal knows their business.



Definitely a worth-while DIY job.

 

[GTOWag]

Lube Level

Wow, now I am really confused. I just had my NV5600 changed under warranty with 2,000 miles to spare. Glad to hear Blumenthal is Mopar's rebuilder. I had a serious gear grind going into 3rd from 2nd. I kept the old transmission filled about one quart over (5. 75 qt total) for about the last 40,000 miles with Mopar lube. I tow a fifth wheel most of the time, so it is worked hard.



Here is the kicker. When I picked up my truck I noticed on the work order that there was only 3 qt's of oil listed. So when I got home I slid under the truck and checked the oil level and sure enough it was about an inch below the fill hole. I went back and talked to the tech that installed the transmission (who I have had good rapport with) and asked him about it. He claimed that there is a TSB (or something) out there from DC stating to keep the level one inch below the fill hole to prevent foaming of the oil. Needless to say I could not find such a TSB, so I don't know where he is getting his information unless he is confused with some of the axel lube fill TSB's. Now I see from this thread that Blumenthal is recommending 7 quarts..... now I am really confused!! Is foaming an issue with over fill or not? I'm not sure what to do now? Has anyone else heard of this before??

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Gary,

I can assure you foaming is NOT an issue with the 5600. I bought a reman from Blumenthal's and they recommended 5 qts at the time, one qt over full. Upon disassembly of my core transmission, which meant using a torch to cut the mainshaft in two because the rear main bearing had welded things together, we discussed that bearing not being able to get oil because of the transmission design. They had a reman ready to go on the dyno so I asked them to fill it up to the bottom of that bearing with oil and see how many qts it took which was 12. They gave me 12 qts which I installed. My first trip out (I deliver campers for a living) all was good until I hit the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee when I began smelling transmission fluid as it came out the rear seal and was thrown onto the exhuast. This happened for several weeks when I drove in hills or mountains because the fluid would run to the back of the transmission as I headed uphill and more fluid would work its way past the seal. Eventually this stopped when the level of oil dropped enough to not come out the seal. I now have 110,000 on that transmission and am ready to change the oil (Blumenthal's recommended 100,000 changes). I will measure how many qts came out and that is how many are going back in all in the interest of getting as much oil as possible to that rear main bearing. BTW, Royal Purple is going back in instead of the Mopar stuff. I really liked RP previously so I will see how it does this time.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[MKreiberg]

I run 12. 5 Pts (I can check the log when I get home) in mine with no issues for aprox. 40k at this point.

I also added that internal splash filter kit/magnet setup last change.

EDIT... 12. 5 Pts ... so much for memory.

 

[mhenon]

..... I found out real quick that the fill port wasn't going to cut it, when it started overflowing at 3 quarts, so I went in from the top and filled it up... ... .

I've parked with one set of wheels on the curb before filling the transmission. That slight lift allows you to get more oil in than normal (can't remember how much more).

You might get the same advantage, or more, by parking nose down on a slope. My truck is parked just this way (nose down) in our driveway. I'll see if I can get a little more oil in the transmission. The advice from Blumenthal was interesting. Never heard that before.

Mike

 

[mhenon]

..... You might get the same advantage, or more, by parking nose down on a sloop. My truck is parked just this way (nose down) in our driveway. I'll see if I can get a little more oil in the transmission... .

I take that part back. Just checked my fluid level with the trucked parked on an incline facing downhill. Fluid started dripping out right away. I had topped it up about a year ago with the driver side wheels on the curb. Apparently this is the better way to get a little extra oil in the transmission. Don't bother with my "nose down" suggestion.

Mike

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I run 10 or 10. 5 qts (I can check the log when I get home) in mine with no issues for aprox. 40k at this point.



I also added that internal splash filter kit/magnet setup last change.

Do you run up and down hills or mountains much?

 

[GTOWag]

Gary,



I can assure you foaming is NOT an issue with the 5600. I bought a reman from Blumenthal's and they recommended 5 qts at the time, one qt over full. Upon disassembly of my core transmission, which meant using a torch to cut the mainshaft in two because the rear main bearing had welded things together, we discussed that bearing not being able to get oil because of the transmission design. They had a reman ready to go on the dyno so I asked them to fill it up to the bottom of that bearing with oil and see how many qts it took which was 12. They gave me 12 qts which I installed. My first trip out (I deliver campers for a living) all was good until I hit the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee when I began smelling transmission fluid as it came out the rear seal and was thrown onto the exhuast. This happened for several weeks when I drove in hills or mountains because the fluid would run to the back of the transmission as I headed uphill and more fluid would work its way past the seal. Eventually this stopped when the level of oil dropped enough to not come out the seal. I now have 110,000 on that transmission and am ready to change the oil (Blumenthal's recommended 100,000 changes). I will measure how many qts came out and that is how many are going back in all in the interest of getting as much oil as possible to that rear main bearing. BTW, Royal Purple is going back in instead of the Mopar stuff. I really liked RP previously so I will see how it does this time.



Godspeed,

Trent

Thanks for the info Trent. I will be waiting to hear how much lube you get out of your transmission. Please let us know..... GW

 

[MKreiberg]

Do you run up and down hills or mountains much?

Note the edit... its 12. 5 Pints...



So just over 6 quarts.

 

[GTOWag]

Pennzoil 3501

If you are looking for Pennzoil Synchromesh 3501. Try your local NAPA parts store. My local NAPA store had six quarts on the shelf.