Torque Converter question
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Torque Converter question
Alright...I just found out today that my torque converter is bad. My main question is this...is it my driving style that messed it up or is it something that just happens over time? I know ya'll don't know my driving style...but I kinda drive hard...would driving too hard possibly cause the TC to go bad? I'm pretty sure it's covered under the Extended Warranty I bought...the paper workd says it is...but I have a feeling they are going to try to tell me that it was my driving style that caused the converter to go bad. We'll see. Alright...any help is much appreciated.
B~Dub
B~Dub
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
How many miles are on it?
What year, what model etc?
Torque converters can go bad due to age, lack of maintenance or bad luck. Usually it is lack of maintenance that causes particles to get loose in the system which gets to the converter which slowly destroys itself.
Also hard use or just lots of use will eventually wear out the lock up clutch.
One abuse which can kill a converter quick is powerbraking or holding the brakes and reving the engine. This builds up a lot of heat at best, and in severe instances can bend the vanes in the converter and even Balloon or expand the converter case. If your converter shows any signs of powerbraking, I bet you get to eat it.
If it is just every day enthusiastic driving, with say 50K miles or more I bet no one asks any questions. If you have say 20K miles then one would wonder what you did.
When a converter goes it often takes other parts of the tranny with it.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
What year, what model etc?
Torque converters can go bad due to age, lack of maintenance or bad luck. Usually it is lack of maintenance that causes particles to get loose in the system which gets to the converter which slowly destroys itself.
Also hard use or just lots of use will eventually wear out the lock up clutch.
One abuse which can kill a converter quick is powerbraking or holding the brakes and reving the engine. This builds up a lot of heat at best, and in severe instances can bend the vanes in the converter and even Balloon or expand the converter case. If your converter shows any signs of powerbraking, I bet you get to eat it.
If it is just every day enthusiastic driving, with say 50K miles or more I bet no one asks any questions. If you have say 20K miles then one would wonder what you did.
When a converter goes it often takes other parts of the tranny with it.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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The truck is a '99 F-250 Super Duty 4x4 with just over 50,000 miles on it. I've only powerbraked it once...and it wasn't very drawn out. It doesn't seem like it would be enough to cause such a problem as that. Thanks for the help. Here soon I'll be looking for some upgrades to improve my gas mileage...it's got the V-10 and it pulls about 10-12 depending on whether I baby it or not.
Thanks again,
B~Dub
Thanks again,
B~Dub
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Under normal driving conditions a driver cannot damage a torque converter. The vast majority of torque converter failures are torque converter clutch failures. The clutch typically is only applied in 3rd and 4th gears.
Also, a torque converter clutch failure is either a defective piston seal or a fluid feed problem originating in the pump.
If you have an extended warranty you need to read your contract carefully. A good extended warranty will cover most such failures without problems. However, not all warranties and/or warranty companies are so friendly. If you bought a low end warranty it may have a total dollar limit or they may only pay a portion or they may have the option of installing a used unit. In some cases the warranty states it only covers a finite list of components and everything else is not covered.
Most importantly, the guy at the warranty company that handles your claim is not there to protect you. His/her job is to limit the warranty company's losses.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Also, a torque converter clutch failure is either a defective piston seal or a fluid feed problem originating in the pump.
If you have an extended warranty you need to read your contract carefully. A good extended warranty will cover most such failures without problems. However, not all warranties and/or warranty companies are so friendly. If you bought a low end warranty it may have a total dollar limit or they may only pay a portion or they may have the option of installing a used unit. In some cases the warranty states it only covers a finite list of components and everything else is not covered.
Most importantly, the guy at the warranty company that handles your claim is not there to protect you. His/her job is to limit the warranty company's losses.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Powerbraking once usually is no problem. It is the yoyos who stand on it and let the tires smoke for a minute, or the poor soul who gets stuck and tries to rock his truck out of a tight spot that causes the damage.
Your description sounds like routine driving so now it is upto how good is your warranty.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Your description sounds like routine driving so now it is upto how good is your warranty.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Well I got the warranty from the Ford Dealership that I bought the truck thru. It's Universal Underwriter's Group. I would assume they are pretty decent if the Dealership uses them. We'll see how it goes...only time will tell.
Thanks again,
B~Dub
Thanks again,
B~Dub
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
You are probably right. I do wish you luck. One sure way to tell is what you paid for it. $1695+ and you are probably fine. Less than that and I would be very carefull. Less than $1000 and you are probably out of luck.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
