Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Torque Converter, transmission flush

[Piston Slapper]

Stopped by the ol jiffy lube yesterday to get my transmission flushed completely as I have heard goods things about the process. It is a new to me purchased truck and I wanted to get it done. I was then going to go home and drop the pan and change the filter.



My transmission is slipping alittle bit and the fluid is dirty. Local tech says they will NOT do it on a dodge diesel with over 40,000 miles as they have done many and alot of them won't pull there selves out of the bay after doing it. He said Headquarters will not allow them to do Dodge diesel with more than 40,000 miles. Made no since to me...



He rambled something about the coating on the clutches and with new fluid it would slip more... I just quit listening and said thanks. What gives??



Anyboyd ever heard this?

 

[2ndgen2500]

have no idea, just had my fluid flushed at my dodge dealer, and refilled with amsoil, cost me 70$ but IMO it was worth it, that was including them getting the filter. and my truck, definatly pulled itself out of the bay

 

[SEmerson]

If you are slipping now changing the fluid is a little late. You many be able to buy some time with a valve body. But that is the only hope. I could slip my stock 01 with stacked boxes. I then added a DTT VB and go about 60k more before needing a new trans. But I do feel I was lucky.

 

[Piston Slapper]

Thanks, I figured as much.....

 

[dieselshu]

transmission flush

Local tech says they will NOT do it on a dodge diesel with over 40,000 miles as they have done many and alot of them won't pull there selves out of the bay after doing it

Sounds like they didnt use the correct fluid or enough of it... .



Dave

 

[Ram666]

Quote, automatic transmission rebuilders association say trans oil does more than lube and cool the trans. It also holds the friction surfaces together,actualy driving the truck. but as the fluid wears,a process called shear reduces the holding capacity of the fluid,so the trans begins to slip and burn the fluid. in that case, changing the fluid might buy some time before a rebuild is necessary. the problem is, things could go the other way. infact,changing the fluid on an older,worn trans can actually cause the trans to fail. reasons #1new fluid acts as a solvent,cleaning away built up dirt and varnish from worn valves and passage. the newly cleaned surfaces begin to leak, causing additional damage and, ultimately ,trans failure. #2 this cleaning process can also displace the dirt in the trans, and move it to a different location, one where its more likely to cause the trans to fail. it can even clog the filter,preventing the trans from moving at all. #3 new fluid is usually less viscous-thinner -than the worn fliud . so the new fluid is more likelyto leak past sealing rings and valve passages than the old fluid. ATRA`s position is that a trans fluid change is part of regular trans maintenance. it`s only useful for increasing trans life if it is done once a year as part of a regular maintenance routine. performing a fluid change on an older unit that has not had regular servicing,or as a heroic attempt to salvage a unit that is beginning to fail isn`t somthing Atra recomends. sorry about the lenght but this is why some shop will not do your service, they dont whant to be responsible if it does fail... Chris

 

[Piston Slapper]

I noticed, well confirmed again last night, after driving my truck to the shop where I am gonna drain it tomorrow. It'll slip if it is in drive, but it you pull in down into 1st gear on the column it won't slip, or is not nearly as apparent. Manually shifting it does great. Shifts nice and firm. Only time you can feel sliping is taking off in drive. Is it raising the line pressure more by manually shifting or by pulling it down into 1st?



Seemed weired to me. Whats the difference between the two I guess is my question?

 

[2ndgen2500]

i guess that if your trans did fail, it would make them look terrible. . i forgot my trans is only 17k old and is in perfect operation. the trans on my truck went out at 37k... so its not out of the question that you might be in for a rebuild soon. btw, mine would shift fine manually for a while... not when i was pulling the gooseneck though.

 

[MPalachuk]

piston slapper check to see if the trans is shifting into 1st when you put it in drive I have heard that some dont go into first on there own. put it in drive and take off and count the shifts. Have heard some take off in second gear.

 

[Piston Slapper]

MPalachuk, You are exactly right. It is taking off in second gear.



I dropped the pan and changed the fluid/filter and checked the line pressure before and after. 60 psi at Idle, right on the money! Also put a bottle of Lucas Trannsmission in it.



It ran and shifted correctly right after I changed it. I let it cool while I bs'd to my buddy and when I left, it second gear started again. It also second gear started this a. m. when I left for work which is 45 mile drive one way. After I arrive in nashville, there is some stop and go spots approaching my office and I completely stop and restarted and it shifted correctly. I will test drive again at lunch today and confirm if I have fixed it. Don't know if it was new fluid or Lucas or it only does it when cold? Have used Lucas transmission before with good luck.



I think I will still get'r flushed out after the lucas gets run in good... .



Thanks for all replies!

Gap

 

[RDLeader]

Replace the governor pressure solenoid and sensor/transducer. Major PITA on these trucks.



Roman

 

[Piston Slapper]

Put some miles on the truck yesterday. Appears fluid/filter change helped, but I really think it was the Lucas additive that "fixed" it. Gonna now have it flushed to get the remaining dirty fluid out.



It had the typical symptoms of a bad Governor Pressure Solenoid/Transducer. I wonder if it is they just get dirty vs. being bad?



Preventive maintenance is a necessity on these automatic transmissions for there survival. I think one needs to be a head of the recommended service interval for there reliability sakes.