How long will my transmission last?

kstruckcountry · August 11, 2015

I don't think changing the filter and refilling will hurt anything. But at this point I'd just save the money towards the rebuild/ new transmission.

Don'tGiveATruck · August 11, 2015

What about extracting some fluid and getting it back to the appropriate level? Or just leave well enough alone?... Especially considering at this time I am not in the position to afford the rebuild/new transmission.

nadrojcote · August 11, 2015

If your transmission fluid is really brown I would change it. Burnt fluid isn't going to help it last any longer, and could even be the cause of the issue.

http://transmissionrepairguy.com/transmission-slipping/

Don'tGiveATruck · August 11, 2015

It is pretty brown and overfull like I mentioned. It would be good if all it is ends up being is ineffective fluid.

nadrojcote · August 11, 2015

It is pretty brown and overfull like I mentioned. It would be good if all it is ends up being is ineffective fluid.

yes, start by draining some, make sure you get it up to good hot operating temperature before checking.

WilliamBos · August 11, 2015

175000 km sounds a bit premature. I bought my truck with the transmission just rebuilt at 185000 miles. Actually my transmission had reverse go out, the previous owner told me. The shop told them it cost the same to rebuild the entire transmission so it seemed like a no-brainer to go ahead and do that. I don't expect the rebuild to last 185000 miles though. If it goes 50000 miles at the rate I put miles on it, it will be completely rusted out by the time that happens. If its slipping now, don't expect it to go years like that. You might get it to last a little longer but expect it to completely fail at any time now. Its reliability is greatly compromised. A rebuild shouldn't be that expensive, around $1000-$1500 depending on where you go. A lot less than buying another truck.

My 04 had 217,000 miles/350,000 km on it when I traded it in, all original.

He will be looking at $3,000 for a complete rebuild, that R&R too...

Don'tGiveATruck · August 12, 2015

So if the fluid is pinkish brown could that be causing the transmission to slip? Based on that color chart that projectsummit provided mine is somewhere between "Borderline, plan change" and "Burnt, change". It's a little hard to tell on the dipstick.

What I'm really asking is can burnt transmission fluid cause this very minor slip between 1st and 2nd. It only seems to do it when the transmission is warm/hot.

nadrojcote · August 12, 2015

Wipe it on some paper towel and compare it to the chart.

Don'tGiveATruck · August 12, 2015

It definitely looks brown enough that it should be changed. I'm getting a lot of mixed responses here and not really sure what I should do. Could burnt fluid and being overfull(foaming) cause the 1-2 slip I've been experiencing?

It just seems a little strange that it's only between 1st and 2nd that it slips, so I was thinking a shift solenoid but the transmission place I took it to said it was probably a worn band. So I'm not really sure what to think at this point.

Keep in mind, the transmission is getting the job done for now but I'm worried the bad fluid is damaging/causing the transmission to slip.

NitroCherokee · August 12, 2015

My opinion, as an ASE Master Technician is to get the fluid back to the correct level (overfull 1 pint is way worse than low 1 pint) and drive it.

nadrojcote · August 12, 2015

My opinion, as an ASE Master Technician is to get the fluid back to the correct level (overfull 1 pint is way worse than low 1 pint) and drive it.

Exactly, you're causing a lot of excess pressure in the transmission with that extra fluid and it may be causing the slip.

NitroCherokee · August 12, 2015

Exactly, you're causing a lot of excess pressure in the transmission with that extra fluid and it may be causing the slip.

Pressure is good, foamin/airaiting is not which is what happens when over full. Air compresses under pressure and actually causes a loss of pressure internal

Don'tGiveATruck · August 12, 2015

Ok, so just get it to the correct level and drive it, sounds good. Since I have to check the fluid while it's hot and running, should I take some out with the truck running so I get a better idea of how much to take out?

nadrojcote · August 12, 2015

Ok, so just get it to the correct level and drive it, sounds good. Since I have to check the fluid while it's hot and running, should I take some out with the truck running so I get a better idea of how much to take out?

I'm not sure how you drain on your truck, is there a drain plug? I happened to have a transmission oil cooler line leak on my 2014 so I replaced it with a clamped on piece of line, now I can undo the clamp while the truck is running and it pumps out the fluid. If you drain too much you can always top it up.