Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Question for the auto trans savvy

[Flinty]

I found a '98 12v for the wife. It has an automatic trans. This thing is a 47re, right? What can a guy look for to get an idea if it's o. k. ? Auto's are not my forte' but we need to have one in the family. This truck has 117k on the clock. Thanks for your advice.



Jon

 

[charlessmith]

You should have a 47RE. I'm not an expert, but here's my opinion.



If the truck shifts OK, and doesn't have anything funny with the shift points, and doesn't make any noises you are probably OK. By noises, I mean slight whines or singing noises at any speed. Sometimes you can hear a bearing singing under light load or on overrun if you listen very carefully. I can hear this kind of thing that even shops don't always pick up. Take it somewhere that knows what they are doing and have them change the transmission fluid and put in a new filter. They should look for any metal powder around the magnet in the pan. Change the differential fluids at the same time, and the transfer case if it's a 4x4.



That mileage isn't too high, and in normal use the transmission should be fine.

 

[DBraunig]

Drive it when it's cold, not been running for 8 hours, and make sure it shifts out correctly. No delayed shifts or delayed engagement, along with the stuff Charlie mentioned.



Dave

 

[gcorron]

I have a 97 with likely the same transmission you have. I bought it 7 years ago from my brother who did some hauling with it, but we both take pretty good care of our stuff, he is more likely to "hot rod" than I am.



Do the normal maintenance, I have had to adjust the bands twice, once when I got it, and once just lately and it shifts just fine at 140K. My opinion is that it is a long lasting transmission if you don't jerk it around too badly. I wouldn't worry with it too much if it seems to be acting correctly, like I said, it may be time to do some maintenance such as filter, new fluid ( I use the amsoil synthetic) and whilst you have the pan off adjust the bands.



The torque converter has always seemed tight on mine, if you don't run it a day or two it seems like it doesn't want to move, the trick is to put the truck in neutral when you start it and 30 seconds later it goes just fine. Even more important on cold, cold, days.



Good luck.



George

 

[ScottLewis]

The 47RE is quite prone to "Morning Sickness". That is draining of fluid from the T/C when parked overnight or longer. gcorron's suggestion to idle 30 seconds or so in neutral when first starting is the standard remedy. The check valve in the cooling line is the culprit in almost all cases of this and many rebuilders just leave it out. With the short idle time, all is good.



Dan