Transmission whine...

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Sep 16, 2003 | 11:49 AM

RA72925

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Transmission whine...

Hello all, first post here. Been sifting through the message board since July. You've all helped me out a great deal already. I'm sure the help will continue.

Alright, I've got a '94 Ranger, 4.0 L V6 that has got this bad transmission whine. Every time I put it into any gear and drive, the transmission whines as if it were out of fluid. I know this sounds because just over a year ago I had to replace my transmission after the drain plug fell out from Pep Boys not tightening it too much. Let's just say it turned out worse than I thought, the mechanic I took it to handed me my first gear and it fit into the palm of my hand.

To ensure I was not having a repeat of a year ago, I have already flushed the fluid once and checked the fluid level about once a week. This sound has been going on for a good 3 months now and it's VERY disturbing. Oh, I forgot to mention the transmission that I was put in is a rebuilt transmission. I'm not sure if that will help any.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks - Oriteon

Sep 16, 2003 | 12:08 PM

Mike W

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From: Central Kali

Transmission whine...

Hi and welcome to FTE!

I would hate to think that the tranny is going out. There is a shop in Phoenix that deals with manuals. I forgot the name but a search would find it. You might call them. How much was the re-built one?

Sep 16, 2003 | 12:37 PM

WXboy

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From: Central KY

Transmission whine...

When the tranny in my Chevy Z71 started whining like that, I just blamed it on the fact that it was a GM product...but a mechanic told me it was probably the synchronizers inside the tranny that caused the whine. I just kept driving it anyway...and when it died, it died. Locked my rear tires down on me while traveling on the interstate!

Sep 16, 2003 | 08:55 PM

seagull369

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From: poughkeepsie ny

Transmission whine...

Sounds like your tranny is on borrowed time. If the one you have in their now was rebuilt, perhaps someone goofed when they slapped it together.

Anyway, to help try and squeeze a little more time out of it, I would keep changing the fluid in it every several hundred miles and at some point switch to some kind of synthetic fluid to see if that helps. I never have put much faith in the claims of these synthetic brands make, but I think it would be a cheaper option than to having to replace again.

Sep 17, 2003 | 06:55 AM

RA72925

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Transmission whine...

I was afraid of those answers. It's alright though, I expected it. I only really need to make it last another month or so. After that, it's not my problem for another year. By then, I'm hoping it will need to be replaced. Mainly because I'll have the money to build my first engine and get a decent tranny. Thanks for the info guys.

Oriteon

Sep 17, 2003 | 10:37 PM

seagull369

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From: poughkeepsie ny

Transmission whine...

Quote:

Thanks for the info guys.

Youre welcome. I just noticed you mentioned it WAS a rebuilt trans. Maybe the next go around you can go for a used one that hasnt been tinkered with and you can trust has low miles on it.

So you know, It is not uncommon for rebuilt transmissions to suffer from quality control issues due to mistakes made by technicians. Unless the tranny you have in there now was abused, it should have lasted you an exponentially longer time than it did.

Out of curiousity, have you told the place that did the rebuild what has happened?

Sep 17, 2003 | 11:08 PM

fordstergk

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: Carrollton,Tx

Transmission whine...

I have a 94 xlt 4cyl with the same whine.I was almost out of fluid and was fortunate enough to ask a tech about it before I added 90 weight.I filled it up and even put some of that synthetic (lubrifilm) in it.The tech told me that the synchronizers were almost gone and that he added 1 qt of 40 weight oil to the tranny fluid to aid in viscosity.I have whine in all gears but 4th.The sound muffled a bit and I know ,like you,I'm on borrowed time.I have made it 4 months since and it is ok.Just hoping for 800$ before the bottom falls out.That is the price for a correctly rebuilt one if you want to compare not including install.Good luck.I wouldnt trade this truck for any except another new one.Its been a dream.Not hard to work on either!