Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Trans. problem--need help

[Ramboy]

I have a transmission problem that I really need help with. Hopefully, one of you out there will know what the problem is. On 4-9-01 at 47,439 miles, I did an upgrade and had a DTT torque converter and valve body installed. On 9-9-03 at 97,800 miles, I was going from New Mexico to Florida and since I had to spend a few days in Kerrville, TX, I decided to have the transmission serviced. They found metal shavings in the pan and after removing the transmission they found the third gear clutch pack burnt up. I contacted DTT and had a new torque converter, billet update kit, accumulator piston, and billet servo shipped and installed along with a new third gear clutch pack. I continued on to Fla. and returned to NM. In the spring of ’04, I hooked up to my boat (5,000 lbs. ) and pulled to Rockport, TX. On 5-4-04 at 108,955 miles, while in Rockport, I lost the third gear clutch pack again. After being repaired, I returned to NM and at the end of the summer, I hooked up the trailer and went to southern CO. On 9-17-04 at 113,320 miles, in Cortez, CO, I lost the third gear clutch pack again. I reasoned that because this only seemed to happen when I towed, maybe the exhaust brake was causing it so I stopped using the e-brake. On 12-2-05 at 129,654 miles I lost the third gear again after one trip with the trailer to San Antonio and back. Fortunately, it went out at home this time instead of on the road so before having it repaired, I would like to see what some of you think may be the problem. When towing, I never shift to overdrive below 60 mph and I never allow my speed to drop below 55 mph before shifting out of overdrive. See sig. for type of trailer.

 

[JFaughn]

Not a trany guy but I would guess becouse of multible clutch packs the 1st one damaged or maybe defect in case. Next since you're a costumer , do they have any sugestions ?

 

[Fishin Guide]

I have no idea what the cause is. But how much power are you pushing throught the trans when towing? What kind of trans temps do you see and where is the gauge located? How long do you go between fluid changes and band adjustments?



Sounds like an internal problem, but without tearingit down and pressure testing everything, I don't think there's a wayt to tell for sure.



Dave

 

[Ramboy]

John-- The other gears plus overdrive always look good and the techs have no idea what is causing it.



Dave-- When towing, I only run about 320 hp. I have the Mag-Hytec 2 extra quart pan and the temp probe is in it. I have a digital gauge and have never seen over 160* on it. After the upgrade at 49K, I had fluid and filter change at 71K with necessary adjustments. It was burnt up when I was having it serviced at 97K and I have never been able to get over 16K out of it since so it gets serviced regularly.

Phil

 

[JFaughn]

You might want to start over , go to one of the 4 aftermarket place's that you see talked about here [ DDT, Georend , I can'nt remember them all ] but do not get that one rebuilt , do a swap and tell them whats going on , its a big chunk of money but at this point it cheaper to do it write the 1st time , and now you chance to do it right the 2nd time , were you getting any warentee's on any of the other repairs , I read that Georend Broths have a 100,000 with there units. I plan on going there as soon as the $$$ shows up.

 

[nutter3]

Ramboy, man! that is some bad luck. I have had a little trouble with my transmission, and I know what a pain in the rear it is.

Good luck!

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

Phil, if you keep having multiple 3rd gear failures from different builders it can be a multitude of causes. See a lot of the shops do not have the testing equiptment in house that DTT does so it is more difficult for them to diagnose. That coupled with the excess of 17,000 lbs trailer weight you were pulling may have been contributory but you have something else going on as well. Eventhough we did not build your units we still kept records on your truck . For what it is worth, Bill does not think it is anything you are doing per say, but just putting in another set of clutches is going not to get the job done. Guys today with your set up run billet drums but even so that may not help you if you have a case issue or pump assembly issues. You may need to consider starting with another core unit if your case is not any good because sometimes only testing equiptment can detect the case problem. It is not visible to the eye. That is where we would suggest you start looking before throwing parts at it again.

 

[pro99]

I have to say 160 in the pan temps is pretty high because thats the coolest place fluid is. I would install the 97 pressure trans line so you could see what the converter is doing for temps instead of the pan. But if you do install that line make sure you dig out the plastic check ball in the end of the line. You don't want 2 drain back balls it just causes more restriction. Even I would have to say cut your ties with this trans and start over with a good core.

 

[Ramboy]

Stefan-- I was fortunate enough to have this happen at home this time so I don't have to be in any hurry to get this fixed. Is it possible that the pressures are lower than they need to be to keep the clutch plates locked up?



protwinturbo99-- I stated that 160* was the highest I had ever seen and that was backing into a camp space. On the highway, I normally see 120*- 130*.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

Bill read your post this was his response. It is definately going to be a lack of pressure or impropper clutch pack clearance that is causing these issues. However it is impossible to isolate the circuit or in better words if there is a pressure loss where the pressure loss is without the proper testing equiptment. The other thing he said is that with your trailer weight , and the locked to locked shifting you are doing it can also do in 3rd gear. Without actually seeing the unit he cannot really say for sure. I have a pretty sharp dealership tech we work with i New Mexico if you want us to give you a hand give us a call. Another thing to note is your temp reading is pretty low. Either you have a problem with the gauge or you need to take the reading from a different location. But give us a call if you need a hand .