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Dead Tranny

julman99

By julman99
in Ask A GM Technician

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julman99 New Member

julman99

Posted
Posted

Hi everybody,

 

I have a 2004 silverado 1500 single cab 4 speed 5.3 vortec with 200.000 miles on it. I bought it with 131.000. The previous owner never changed the transmision oil and when I got it I read everywhere that I should not change it because of the milleage and I should use it until it dies.

 

Well yesterday it died. The strange thing was how it died. I was doing like 60mph on the hiway, I had the accel peddal touched to maintain speed then suddenly I hear a loud loud CLAAANK and the engine stoped instantly. I shifted almost inmediately to N and pulled over. There I started the engine and it runned and sounded perfect. Then switched to D, and surprise, no traction, neither R and P also doesnt work at all.

 

Im taking today the truck to a repair shop but I live in Venezuela and here you need to be careful with people that repair your cars (even dealers), so if you can advise what should I expect that can be damaged I really appreciate it.

 

The transmision before failing was working very nice. I only had an issue when I was in a very hot traffic jam for 10min or more, it shifted hard into 2nd from 1st. Appart from that it was a very very fine transmision, I was very happy with it.

 

Thanks a lot

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted

well thats a pretty good life for your tranny, the 4L60E, mine only laster about 120k... just find a good rebuilder or do what i did and buy a brand new 4L60 from GM

Daryl LBZ Senior Enthusiast

Daryl LBZ

Posted
Posted

Dads 99 has 165,000 on it so far. Shifts pretty good and everything. Im suprised its still going.

Shu Enthusiast

Shu

Posted
Posted

Why would anyone recommend not changing the fluid and filter? Mine is an 05 with 108000 miles on it. I changed the fluid (flushed) at 50000 miles at a local quick change place and then I changed the fluid and filter at 100000 miles myself and put in the recommended synthetic fluid with a bottle of Lucas Trans additive. It shifts very good. At 100000 miles on the filter and 50000 miles on the quick change fluid and I could tell it was due for a change. I just don't see the logic in not doing the preventitive maintenance fluid/filter changes???

rodram Enthusiast

rodram

Posted
Posted

it is common for these transmissions (4L60E) to last only 130,000 to 140,000 miles before they fail for one reason or another....

 

... the sunshell is gone on this transmission ... you will need a total rebuild ... investigate getting upgrade parts for the rebuild

 

... I have heard that if a transmission has been neglected for a long time that having a transmission flush only redistributes all the loose crap in the transmission, effectively plugging up valves and cooling lines ... but there is never anything wrong with dropping the pan, changing the filter, and then topping the transmission up again.

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted
it is common for these transmissions (4L60E) to last only 130,000 to 140,000 miles before they fail for one reason or another....

 

... the sunshell is gone on this transmission ... you will need a total rebuild ... investigate getting upgrade parts for the rebuild

 

... I have heard that if a transmission has been neglected for a long time that having a transmission flush only redistributes all the loose crap in the transmission, effectively plugging up valves and cooling lines ... but there is never anything wrong with dropping the pan, changing the filter, and then topping the transmission up again.

 

 

hmmm wow. i never ever heard that before. i think that might of happened to me but idk.

 

at about 110k on my 2003 suburban i had the trans flushed at some quick lube shop and at 120k the tranny completley blew. i have always questioned flushing trannys but i have no idea i may be crazy.

ColoradoSkiCountry Senior Enthusiast

ColoradoSkiCountry

Posted
Posted

If you flush em from the beginning you'll be just fine. EVEN WITH it being flushed, fluid changed and filter changed and all that other jazz very rarely will you see 200k miles on the same tranny unless you do a ton of highway miles.

julman99 New Member

julman99

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi, turns out the transmission was fine, but the diff is completely blown up. Some retainer failed and some pin fell out and you can imagine the rest.

 

Ill have my truck repaired by next week, thanks a lot

ken1mod Senior Enthusiast

ken1mod

Posted
Posted

Gentlemen,

 

Never flush a transmission. Pan drop and filter change is what is required. The filter is what is important. Plugged filter = burnt box. Happened to my father last week. Trans was fine but filter clogged at 100k miles . 2500 for rebuilt trans. Nissan transmission.

 

Ken

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted
Gentlemen,

 

Never flush a transmission. Pan drop and filter change is what is required. The filter is what is important. Plugged filter = burnt box. Happened to my father last week. Trans was fine but filter clogged at 100k miles . 2500 for rebuilt trans. Nissan transmission.

 

Ken

 

hmm. thanks for the advice im definatley gonna do that in hopes that i get more then 120k out of my 2nd 4L60

  • 1 month later...
tvincent New Member

tvincent

Posted
Posted
it is common for these transmissions (4L60E) to last only 130,000 to 140,000 miles before they fail for one reason or another....

 

... the sunshell is gone on this transmission ... you will need a total rebuild ... investigate getting upgrade parts for the rebuild

 

... I have heard that if a transmission has been neglected for a long time that having a transmission flush only redistributes all the loose crap in the transmission, effectively plugging up valves and cooling lines ... but there is never anything wrong with dropping the pan, changing the filter, and then topping the transmission up again.

 

My 1999 GMC 5.3L w/ 4L60E still has the OEM engine and trans at 205,000. I must be one of the lucky few

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted
it is common for these transmissions (4L60E) to last only 130,000 to 140,000 miles before they fail for one reason or another....

 

 

If you flush em from the beginning you'll be just fine. EVEN WITH it being flushed, fluid changed and filter changed and all that other jazz very rarely will you see 200k miles on the same tranny unless you do a ton of highway miles.

98 1/2 ton 4WD with 194,000+ miles on it with the original trans. Hauls all the time and sees mostly two lane country back road duty. Still shifts every gear chrisply with no leaks or other ailments.

 

Gentlemen,

 

Never flush a transmission. Pan drop and filter change is what is required. The filter is what is important. Plugged filter = burnt box. Happened to my father last week. Trans was fine but filter clogged at 100k miles . 2500 for rebuilt trans. Nissan transmission.

 

Ken

 

By changing just the pan drop fluid and filter you are lucky to get 1/2 of the total fluid out of the trans. By only exchanging half the fluid you get all of it out, figure out the math. I flush mine, on the machine, every 30-40K and replace the filter every other flush. Clean as a whistle on the inside and still works perfectly with 194,000+ miles on it.

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