transmission paranoia?

[Piersol]

I have my 1996 cummins with the auto transmission. 76,000 miles on it. I built my new garage for it and have the floor filled with gravel. When it is cold (less than 25 degrees I really have to floor it to get it to move out of the gravel. Granted I only let it warm up about 45 seconds before I start out. Once it gets going no trouble; it shifts crisply and does not slip at all. If I have it plugged in at night the problem goes away. I don't remember having this trouble before, but never had that initial resistance in the loose gravel. Is this a clue of pending problems or am I just not letting things warm up enough?

 

[illflem]

JJP,my '95 has always done the same thing ,don't have to floor it, but can't do it idling. I think it's probably a combination of cold fluid and the TC draining back when parked. If mine is parked for more than a couple of days it takes 30 seconds to do anything after engaging R. Try doing your 45 second warm up in gear.

 

[dpuckett]

Originally posted by illflem:
Try doing your 45 second warm up in gear.

I read somewhere that you should try that, too. It worked for my 92. Since I live in a colder climate, I let it warm up 5 min or so, so I put it in Neutral and set the brake. Put it in "R", and it goes just fine.

Daniel

 

[KatDiesel]

<font color=blue>Try shifting to neutral before ya start it up, this will get the transmission fluid moving. Leave it in neutral for bout 45 secs and then go into gear and see if that helps any... ...

 

[Cooker]

I agree with Kat 100%. Letting it warm up in neutral will start to circulate the fuild and eliminate the, what sound to be, TC drainback.

 

[Midnight]

If i am not mistaken , isnt there a TSB on this?

 

[CumminsPower98]

The torque converter drain-back when sitting seems to be a common problem with the 727. I work on a lot of Dodge vans which do the same thing. When I go to drive one I just put it in reverse and let it idle until I feel it starting to pull and then I gas it. Or you can just put it in neutral and get the fluid flowing that way like the others are saying.

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Red '98 12valve 2500 4X4 Quad Cab, Long Bed, SLT, 5-spd Manual, 3. 54, Dana 80 Rear,Camper/Town pkg, 33x12. 50x16. 5, Yet to be Bombed.

 

[Piersol]

Thanks guys, the "neutral" trick seems to work well.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I'd worry more obout overreving a stone cold engine. Maybe you could park it on some long 2 X 12's or two rows of those flat concrete blocks?

 

[Joe G.]

Torque Flite transmissions have always acted this way as far as I know. My Dad's '63 Plymouth "factory hot rod" did the same thing, especially if it was parked with the nose up hill over night. I just get mine cranked up and let it idle in D until it decides to go. Then I take it easy for a while. That does it for the rest of the day.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Piersol]

Dennis, I might have been exaggerating a bit when I said I have to "floor" it. To me half throttle is flooring it. My engine has never seen past 2250 rpm.

 

[Hyper]

The torque flight only pumps full presure in nuetral... . please shift to "N" before leaving even in warm weather... . trans will last longer... . ever wonder why they say check fuild in "N" ? because this anit no chevy and the pump gets full flow in "N" not park.

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1993 Dodge Prostock Daytona 7:70@172, 1987 Grand National 11:77@115, 1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually. Stock with a 5 speed, Home page http://www.home.earthlink.net/~whra3