Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) what oil to use in NV5600that is shifting hard when it is cold

[MGloeckler]

I just bought a 01 HO that the previous owner was running Amsoil in the transmission and diffs... . the trans mission shifts pretty well when it has been driven for an hour or so but if you start up cold and drive across town it will grind in every gear especially 4th it goes through the synchro but the gears are not spiining the same speed after it goes through the synchro so it will either grind or you will feel a little bump bump as it goes the rest of the way into gear... any help with this would really be appreciated...

Thanx Lowell

 

[Supermod56]

Put Redline MTL in it, should help.

Tom

 

[Straight6Jeff]

I tried many different fluids, all produced rough shifts when it is below 20deg. Double clutching solved teh problem. When it warms up, it shifts fine. I am running the Mopar fluid. I get it for about $8 qt, so it is comparatively priced to the other stuff

 

[RW]

when it came time to change my nv fluid (20k) i had read all the posts. i decided to stay with the mopar fluid, i'm glad i did mine shifts great hot or cold.

 

[Tcolesanti]

I will give my vote to Redline MTL. I have never had a problem shifting it cold, the weekend before last I was in ID, and northern NV where it was 11*. I have been running Redline MTL for about 40,000 miles, no problems at all, shifts much better than the stock stuff in *my* transmission.

 

[Dane]

Ditto on the factory fluid. Mine shifts like warm butter. I change the transmission oil every 15K miles.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I recently switched from the DC stuff to Redline MTL - my transmission shifted well before the change even in cold weather - can't say I see the slightest improvement or difference with the Redline stuff.

 

[Hohn]

Gary's case is an example of just how much these trucks can vary. MTL works great in my trans (compared to stock), but I have occasionally had instances where I could NOT get it into gear. It wasn't like it would shift and grind-- it just didn't want to go into gear, even when I pushed hard.



I found that in these cases, letting the clutch out in neutral and trying the shift again often helps. Sometimes I've had to do this even 2 or 3 times.



The 5600 doesn't seem to like cold any more than the engine does-- both perform noticeably better after even just a few miles of driving after a cold start.



JLH

 

[CajunDieselMan]

I noticed my trans doesn't like to wake up in the morning. I've got 20,000 miles on my truck and want to change the trans fluid. Once I take the side plate off to clean off the magnet, do I have to buy a new seal or coat the plate with sealant when I re-install it?

 

[Tcolesanti]

I noticed my trans doesn't like to wake up in the morning. I've got 20,000 miles on my truck and want to change the trans fluid. Once I take the side plate off to clean off the magnet, do I have to buy a new seal or coat the plate with sealant when I re-install it?

All you have to do to drain the oil is remove is the bottom bolt in the cover, not the whole thing. If you do remove the whole cover, just use some black RTV and put it back together.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Gary's case is an example of just how much these trucks can vary. "



AIN'T it the truth!



Both the trannies AND LSD differentials seem to vary widely in performance, and the way they DO or DO NOT react to various excellent lubes - it boils down to individual trials as to what will work for YOU and your drivetrain, and sometimes that can get expensive! Some (most!) of these lubes ain't CHEAP!

 

[JKinney]

Mopar oil in mine have changed it every 15,000 have 40,000 on it now Im up here in Maine and it shifts fine when cold

 

[CajunDieselMan]

Thanks, Tcolesanti!

 

[Tomscreek]

I just changed mine for the first time at 70,000 miles. Oil looked real good but the magnet was pretty gunky. Use black RTV sealant and let it dry a little first. In order to get all the oil out you have to raise the back of the truck some. I found this out after it was too late and it took about 3/4 quart less than it should. I had to pour the oil in an old gear lube container with the pointed spout to get it in the transmission. A little slow but it worked good.

My transmission has always shifted very smooth except for when it's well below zero then I have to double clutch 3rd gear for a couple shifts then it shifts fine.