Topic: Help With My Dodge Truck Transmission
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
As I've mentioned here before, my 97 Dodge Ram (5.9L V8 with Automatic, 2WD) has over a quarter million miles on it. It still runs well, but I think it may be getting tired.
manget1 2008-11-08 10:56:49
I was out of town this week on business and left the truck parked at work. When I got in and tried to take off, the gas went, but the truck didn't (I'll admit I did not let it warm up for more than 30 seconds or so 
). I gave it a moment and more gently pressed on the gas, at which point it started to roll.
). I gave it a moment and more gently pressed on the gas, at which point it started to roll. It doesn't slip, but I have noticed at times after it sits for a long time that it does take a little more to get it to go.
My question is - is there anything I can do proactively to prolong the life of the tranny? I had the fluid and filter changed at 200K (I put about 20K a year on it, so that was about 3 years ago). Time before that was around 90K. Are there any additives that I can put in that might help? I hate to put too much money in it, although as far as repairs go, I've only had about one car payment's worth a year on it for the last ten years (and it's been paid off for five), so I should be happy and invest in it to prevent a new payment on something else.
I will need to get at least 2 used tires soon. The cheap tires I have now haven't even lasted 65,000 miles. The Firestones I had before that made it almost 100K.
But I digress - any ideas on the tranny? Like I said, once it's going, no problems. Never a slip or hestiation.
Thanks
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Two things can/will cause this, Marshall.
1) The torque converter is draining back into the pan, sometimes overnight, and sometimes it may take a couple of days.
The issue 99% of the time is the clearance between the converter hub, and the bushing in the pump. Too much clearance will allow air into the converter, and the fluid drains out. Then, it takes a minute or so to fill the converter with fluid after starting, which causes the delayed engagements. The only solution is to fix the problem, which is replacing the converter and/or the bushing.
There are also some valve body concerns that can cause converter drainback, but that usually only occurs after installing certain valve body kits.
2) The lip seals on the pistons in the trans may be hard, and not sealing well when cold. This is fairly common, especially on high mileage vehicles, and extremely prevalent on Chrysler vehicles. Only fix is rebuild.
Do this....next time, before starting it, check the fluid on the stick. Mark the level, or make a note of exactly where the fluid is. If the converter is draining, the fluid level will be extremely high, compared to a normal, cold level reading.
If the fluid level is about where it normally would be on a cold check, but the delay is still present, then it is a seal issue.
NO additive is gonna fix either of these problems. Sure, some of them will soften the seals a little and maybe make it better, but...there's nothing in the chemical composition of those additives that tells the seals when to stop swelling, or getting soft. Eventually, the seals will simply fall apart, creating even more problems.
1) The torque converter is draining back into the pan, sometimes overnight, and sometimes it may take a couple of days.
The issue 99% of the time is the clearance between the converter hub, and the bushing in the pump. Too much clearance will allow air into the converter, and the fluid drains out. Then, it takes a minute or so to fill the converter with fluid after starting, which causes the delayed engagements. The only solution is to fix the problem, which is replacing the converter and/or the bushing.
There are also some valve body concerns that can cause converter drainback, but that usually only occurs after installing certain valve body kits.
2) The lip seals on the pistons in the trans may be hard, and not sealing well when cold. This is fairly common, especially on high mileage vehicles, and extremely prevalent on Chrysler vehicles. Only fix is rebuild.
Do this....next time, before starting it, check the fluid on the stick. Mark the level, or make a note of exactly where the fluid is. If the converter is draining, the fluid level will be extremely high, compared to a normal, cold level reading.
If the fluid level is about where it normally would be on a cold check, but the delay is still present, then it is a seal issue.
NO additive is gonna fix either of these problems. Sure, some of them will soften the seals a little and maybe make it better, but...there's nothing in the chemical composition of those additives that tells the seals when to stop swelling, or getting soft. Eventually, the seals will simply fall apart, creating even more problems.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Joel, is so right on the additives and their long term results of the seals, but if you must try...use the Lucas Tranny stop leak/fix, I have seen it used in older/just get me through this vehicles and it has bought them some time. http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=29&catid=9&loc=show&headTitle=%20-%20Lucas%20Transmission%20Fix
John
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
Thanks for the advice and the troubleshooting steps guys!
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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