Hello All.
My f250 01 ford deisel 2wd trany has a raddle noise when the converter is loose. When it locks up the noise goes away. It sounds like loose change inside the bell housing. It isn't killer loud but noticeable. You think it is the TC ? Is normal for such a sound? Should i replace it ? Recomendations on a place to buy a TC from? A ball park $ to have a garage fix? It has almost 80k miles on it. Easy job if i get a helper ? Were is the Flex plate located that i read about? Could that be it? I am just doing a little bit of research to figure out my options.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. I was reading and searching this forum almost all night. Figured i would just ask..

Thanks in advance
Dan

 

Welcome to FTE Dan.

I am sure one of our trans guys will be here soon.

Good luck.

 

I don't think so. If it is the rattle I am think about, you should replace it.

Buy a replacement from Ford.

Should be a couple hours but under 4 hrs.

That is why I wouldn't put an expensive TC in it. Besides, you might have the dreaded diode which can break anytime.

You can do it but I wouldn't want to be lying on the ground doing it. Best done with a lift and a transmission jack.

Between the TC and the motor. It's what connects the TC to the motor and gets turned by the starter. It could be the problem only if the bolts are loose.

 

I read a little about the diode. Not sure what is meant by a DIODE. TC ? I havn't crawled under to get to the ID plate yet to get Date code.

Thanks
Dan

 

01-13-5***TRANSMISSION - 4R100 - DELAYED OR NO 2ND GEAR - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0781, P0755 AND/OR P0756 - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4R100 TRANSMISSION WITH TRANSMISSION BUILD DATES BETWEEN 7/27/2000 AND 3/23/2001 ONLY

Found it here. Never mind. Maybe i stop up at ford on way home from work.

 

Autozone also has the TC cheaper than Ford. I have broken a couple of flexplates and it sounds like a Rod knocking. If you have a jack to hold the tranny, its not toooo bad to replace.

 

AFAIK, the only way to know for sure is to take the trans apart. Some have rumored that there is another way where you suspend the rear and and turn the wheels around and if you hear a clicking sound, you have the diode. Not sure

 

That sounds like a TC issue. If it sounds like marbles in a can rattling and goes away when TC locks up, 9 out of 10 times it's the TC.

Let us know how you make out.

Austin

 

It don't sound like a rod knocking. No way. It sounds like a bobbly rattle like a bad bearing or clutch plates banging against each other. Or a tow chain in the bell housing bouncing around when the torgue converter isn't ingauged fully. Once engauged it is quiet at a mouse. (SORTA hehe) Everything shifts smooth and works super.

Thanks for you input. I will keep you posted.

 

The TC could be rattling, and you could be fine. 99-00 had some TC issues (noisey before lock up), Mine has 268K on it and has been rattling since day one. FOMOCO only changed them when they failed ,or if the customer griped enough about the noise.

 

Mine rattles all the time except when in it locks up around 1900 rpm. And it starts rattling again after it unlocks about 1200 rpm. In park or in gear, over drive or not.. I have heard other trucks sound this way. Just curious. My Fathers 2000 don't do it. I can here it lock and unlock with a low pitch whining noise. But not nearly as much as mine. That is why i am comparing because his sounds more peaceful. When mine is engaging and disengaging it is smooth no shudder or obvious noise.

I stopped at local transmission place that everyone talks greatly about at work. They were swamped and Very nice helpful, curious. etc... They had no idea what noise i was talking about. They hooked up eclectically and took for a ride. Checking codes/etc. After he came back they said it was running good electrically but was concerned about the TC disengaging properly. Then two mechanics left for a ride again for another set of ears. They still didn't know about "MY Rattle noise"

This was there take before i left:
They stated there must be a hydraulic leak causing the converter to stay locked out when i take foot off gas. It won't disengage properly. They gave me a hefty price to rebuild transmission with new converter and a bunch of transmission repairs lingo. I would be ok with it as long as it was a correct assessment. But i kind of disagree about the converter unlocking times. Because my fathers truck does the does it at almost exact time in RPM/loads.

Does this sound right? Gentle take off it will lock up around 18/1900 rpm(noise goes away) then OD will kick in around 40/45mph. Then take foot off gas. While the truck is slowing down the motor is almost silent. Then about 11/1200rpm (around 37MPH) the converter disengages (rattle noise comes back). Exact same behavior as my dads. (except his is quieter). I am concerned about the shops assessment because it is behaving the same as my dads. Just noisier an they didn't hear that.

Funny, Dad just text me and said pull cover off and see if bolts are loose. ??

I crawled under. Dang, Under truck is in super great shape. Like new almost. Not a drop of oil anywhere. sweet. Tried to locate the ID tag. Idea's were it is located?
This is all i could come up with:
Tail shaft marking RFF-81P-7A040-00
On transmission itself RFF-81P-7006-CA

Also an interesting note. It appears to be worked on before. There was a magic marker (sharpy) Written on it.. " T.S.B. " on one side of the bell housing. and on the other side marked " R & R J.W. 8-16-04"

Now my curiosity brings up more questions it seems.. I appreciate all your inputs greatly.
I will pull the cover tomorrow and see what i can see and check bolts/nuts
Thanks.
Dan

 

Check the Oasis report for a repair done on that date. If someone wrote T.S.B then it was most likely done at a Ford Dealer. There is no TSB 8-16-04 that I could find so I assume it's a date.

And I seriously doubt J. W. stands for John Wood

 

Couple more thing i noted this morning.

Rattle quieter when cold. TC engages fine at high speed when i rump on gas to accerlate fast.

Tonight
Going to stop at dealer and see the tsb is about that was marked on trany.
Going to pull cover and see what i see.

Auto zone TC any good?

Dan

 

Tonight stopped at FORD. Asked about TSB marking. They had no clue. Nor how our were or what markings those were. They guessed it was a replaced transmission in 04. They didn't have much to offer. I made an appointment for Friday for second opinion.

Got home Pulled off TC cover. Checked TC nuts. All tight. Started it up with cover off and grabbed flash light. Was louder with cover off. Looked up and swore it was the starter rubbing the teeth of the fly wheel. Right in my face. Pulled that out and checked. Lots of room. Flywheel looked original. Little surface rust. No obvious scrapping. Can't see any cracks. Probably have to yank to see that and doubt that anyways.

Also: seen that is very constant noise under 38 MPH. Noise goes away after 38MPH 1900 RPM and then comes back when i drop below 38mph 1100 RPM. Rattle scrapping noise. Easy driving.

Took a couple pictures with my cell phone.
http://www.geocities.com/dirtsplat/tc1.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/dirtsplat/tc2.jpg

Dan

 

When you go in Friday ask them to pull an OASIS Report. May tell you allot.