I don't see that at all.

The delay in engaging when cold is often a drainback valve that is leaking. As mentioned above, check the trans fluid after it's been sitting overnight. Check it BEFORE starting the engine. If it shows overfilled, the torque converter has drained into the pan. The delay is the pump refilling the torque converter.

I have never seen one with symtoms like this be a transmission problem. It's ALWAYS been an engine problem.

Another clue that it isn't the transmission.

Another clue that it isn't the transmission.

I recommend looking harder.

Another clue that it isn't the transmission.

They are not mechanically connected when the torque converter is unlocked, and especially not connected when the trans is in neutral.

Probably not. I'm nearly 100% sure this is an engine problem, not a trans problem.

 

I just had to ask, didn't I. OK... I have a game plan for the engine.

I'll also check the fluid for drainback.

Thanks for all the feedback everybody!

 

Mark thank you for confirming what I was thinking might be the problem. It was the only thing I could think of as far as being able to hear trans fuild flowing? I would think the metal sound IF it was the drainback valve would be the stator being unbalanced due the TC NOT being full of fuild. Now on Sonnax web page for the drainback valve it says that "OD planetary failure" but I would think that it would also cause premature wear on the TC stator and stator bearing. If it is a stock TC the stator only has a bushing and not a torrington bearing.

So my question for you is what kind of damage would you think could happen if a drain back valve went bad and not replaced?
Thank you as always for your input it is much appreciated!!

Rich I have found in working on boats with inboards and I/O's that harmonic vibrations can sometimes feel like a pulse at just the right rpm's. And as odd as this might seem I have had where changing the harmonic balancer cured the problem. I know I have suggested to you before a Fuildampr and I still think it would help with some of the minor issues you are having.
The problem is you are too astute.
Ford Powerstroke

 

I think that's possible, I hadn't considered that.

Maybe they know something I don't (and that is CERTAINLY possible!) but I can't imagine a way that the drainback valve could possibly impact the OD planetary.

I can't say that is impossible. I don't think it is likely because the converter can never drain below halfway. Within a second or so of engine CRANK, not start, the converter starts filling again. So the bearing and stator should have fluid almost all the time.

None. I do not believe it will hurt anything if this isn't fixed.

If the drainback leaks, in my opinion, the only downside is that after it's sat for enough time for the converter to drain you're going to have to idle before the torque converter will allow the truck to move. That's it.

 

Thank you Mark for your insight !!

 

I remember the Fuildampr conversation, it's been on my mind. I need to be sure the pulse is at full RPM and not half RPM. If it's half RPM, then it leads big time to an injector flow imbalance, since the compression checks out.

As astute as I might be - I need to be more "asstute" to sort out vibrations... my butt makes a lot of mistakes.