Hey man I'm not going to either, but wouldn't you agree that if you got sludge, chances are you're on borrowed time to? I mean sludge is a pretty good indicator that the trans hasn't been taken care of. Can we agree to that? I don't really care what people do one way or another... hey it's there truck! No hard feelings?

-Robb

 

Sorry for any confussion. I agree, I think the thing is on its way out. I am on a couple of boating sites at times. And my gosh, you try to give someone a little advice or kindly disagree with someone and all hell breaks loose.

Its all good

 

Hahaha hey it's all good . Just trying to keep things more civilized than the OTHER site....I won't mention any names though *dieselstop.... cough cough* lol.

-Robb

 

Yep, bad luck....Is that the only time you had that happen?

I have successfully serviced many trannies with too many miles on the oil/filter...with an occasional failure. You wouldn't believe the color of the fluid and the smell! Those trannies get a second oil/filter change after one heat cycle (20-30 miles). Reason: Any sludge that broke loose will get caught by the filter. Then the filter gets plugged. There is no filter bypass in a trans like in an engine. When the filter get plugged......there is no oil flow...poof! junk tranny

 

No Sir, I have had it happen to me personally 3 times. And I have had it happen to several friends. I have discussed this with several mechanics and some real good transmission people. The concensous is always the same, if it hasn't been changed in a long time dont do it.

 

Well thought out response .. rep sent

 

I wonder if a lot of these "flush failures" are due to the method of the flush being done. I would NEVER flush a transmission with anything other than the fluid it requires, especially not a solvent. And adding extra pressure seems like it could cause issues too. I used to work at a shop with a high dollar Snap On flush machine. I never ran it, but from what I saw the only thing it used was Dexron III/Mercon. So I think that's what all the Chryslers and newer Fords we serviced got in them too.

I've done many flushes myself with no machine by unhooking the return cooler line and adding the correct fluid until it comes out clear, then changing the filter. (Why flush all the old fluid through a new filter?) Never had a problem dong it. My personal opinion is if the transmission can't handle this, it wasn't going to last long anyway. Like someone previously said, a customer bringing one in thinking "It's not shifting right, a flush should cure it".

 

Other than that....

Did they give you a reason?...

Swapping crappy fluid for new ...

I'd have to say ..coincidence.. Unless they used the wrong fluid ...

 

I would do the service, make sure you get the right filter (2X and 4X4 different). Drain everything including the converter. Add a new filter (make sure you get the o-ring in right after removing the old one). Add new fluid in steps to the exact right level and then install a nice, new, huge cooler. Your tranny will love you and that will give it its best chance for survival.

Oh yeah, the reason that some trannies fail immediately after a long-overdue service is that the tranny had a considerable amount of internal wear with nowhere near in-spec tolerances. The old fluid was dirty with very fine metal and clutch band material in it in suspension that made it thicker than new, clean fluid. The dirty, thicker fluid helped the tranny to build the necessary pressures whereas the thinner, new clean fluid washed everything clean. Then the over-sized worn-out parts couldn't build enough pressure to make it work or maybe almost enough pressure that made it sort of work but internally there was slippage that generated a lot of heat and then, suddenly no more tranny. I've seen it happen but more often than not a decent tranny that was acting up a little worked 100% better with a complete drain/service.

 

Most of those folks would not have been flushing the fluid if they were not having trouble. There seems to be two schools on changing fluid, those that do and those that never heard of or claim everyone they talked to lost their tranny after changing it.

I personnally don't like the flushing service now offered as they don't change the filter.

If you fluid is in good condition, I would simply drop the pan change the filter and and top off the fluid. Run it through the summer and do the same in the fall. Then service it ever 30k mile.

Welcome to Gods Country. God Bless Texas. In 10 -15 year folks will stop calling you a Yankee.

The thing to remember about heat is you don't have to shoval it.

 

I am with you in thouse concepts, seem very reasonable.

 

thanks guys for the help I'm gonna change it next week and see how it goes. like I said I haven't been having any problems with it but want a piece of mind.


LOL. Texas is great I love it here I don't miss the north at all. I mean I don't know what kinda drivers y'all got down here especially in the Dallas/ft worth area (damn near got ran over) but it's nice people are alot more friendly.