I have this 2000 PSD with about 190k on it.....I pull a pontoon in the summer and push snow in the winter with it, otherwise, its my daily driver.

The last few thousand miles the transmission fluid seems to be disappearing...It doesn't ever smell like something is hot or burning, nor has there ever been a puddle under truck on the garage floor. However, every now and again, while plowing snow or pulling the boat, the truck just says "no" when I put it in gear and it revs up without moving......Add some fluid (about a quart or so) and I am good to go???

My brother in-law says maybe it is overheating and boiling over when Im moving....my dad says maybe the filter is plugged and I should consider a flush?

I haven't had the transmission flushed since I have owned it, (99,000 miles) and don't know if it has ever been done....that being said, I am not sure if a flush is the answer...

Any help would be greatly appreciated....


Mike IN MN

 

Mark K will be along to lend his knowledgeable hand.

 

I assume this is a 4x4, correct? If so, the fluid could be going into the transfer case. Take out the fill plug on the transfer case, if ATF comes rolling out fast, you have your answer.

 

It will only push fluid out if it is overfilled. If the filter is plugged a flush won't help. It would need a rebuild. The only way the filter can plug is if the transmission has failed.

I think we have a winner. If it isn't leaving red spots wherever you park it this is about the only other place the fluid can go.

Now will come the people that say it's leaking into the radiator from a failed cooler. That's possible, but most 2000 model year trucks didn't HAVE a radiator cooler, and if it fails ATF goes into the radiator and coolant goes into the trans. The trans usually ends up overfilled because the cooling system has pressure after the engine is off and it will continue to leak coolant into the trans for a while after shutting the engine off.