I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 with Cummins Diesel and 3 speed auto transmission.

180,000 miles

I never had a problem with transmission leaks – no spots on driveway.

I took the truck to Grease Monkey and had the transmission serviced. They told me they could not use the pressurized cleaning system as my truck was “old” and that their pressurized cleaning system might cause a leak.

The alternative method was just to run fluid through the transmission until it came out clean. I told them to use the alternative method (more expensive but less risky).

Well, now I have a transmission leak. What I believe happened is as follows:

(a) the Grease Monkey guys used the pressurized cleaning system which causes a leak somewhere somehow (probably a seal);

(b) they come to me and give me the “we better not use the pressurized cleaning system as it might cause a leak” story;

(c) they then use the alternative method to clean the transmission knowing the transmission is now leaking; and

(d) they hope I will not make the connection (it did take me a while to realize what had happened).

Regardless, I have a transmission leak now and I am confident that it was caused by a pressurized cleaning system.

If true, anyone have any ideas what is leaking and the effort required to repair such leak?

 

do you know exacally where the leak is? if its a line theose are really easy to change, now if it was a seal...then IDK

 

Lets start by asking where that leak is? You sound by your post that the idiots at the shop told you that your tranny is leaking. Did you take it upon yourself to find out where that leak is? Please explain!

 

Pressurized cleaning? Do you mean power flushing? This is a bad idea on a high-mileage tranny as it can loosen up all kinds of crud and destroy the tranny. Often, the damage doesn't happen until some time after. I'm guessing the flushing loosened up something that was plugging a leak you already had. Hard to prove they did anything wrong. Knowing exactly where the leak is would help.

 

+1, and like has been said, knowing where the leak is would help!

 

i also found with mine, the tranny line that goes to top of radiator was leaking, and it turned out to be an o-ring. maybe you have a bad o-ring somewhere that the pressuizing did

 

Power Flushing may be the correct term. I am not well versed on transmission cleaning methods.

I have not crawled under the truck yet to attempt to locate the leak.

Just thought you guys may have experienced this and give me pointers.

I will look for the leak this weekend and get back.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Additional Questions

(1) Might be time to purchase a Jasper Transmission. Such a transmission is about $3,000 and I will likely change the transmission myself.

What are the other cost associated with swapping a transmission and what other parts should I replace and what should I expect to be my final cost?


(2) While I am at it, the transmission I have is a 3 speed with overdrive. I would rather have a 4 speed or 5 speed transmission. Is it financially feasible to go from a 3 speed to a 4 speed or 5 speed? If so, any recommendations?

 

DONT GET JASPER!!!! i know of four personal different eperiances withfriends using their trannys, andwith all four their tranny was junk by 12K (even though its warenteed, but still)

Id try to just rebuild yours with beefier stuff

 

If you have the 46RE tranny, it is easy to rebuild.

Here are several places to look for the leak. 1. bellhousing (TC home), 2. output shaft seal, 3. in/out lines, 4. linkages, 5. pan

Before looking for a leak, pressure wash the underside of the drivetrain (even the tranny cooler lines). Then drive it and check daily for t-fluid drops and trace the origin.

 

So, you dont even know if you have a leak? Huh????

Only if you want to go to a 5-speed NV4500 Manual transmission.

He has a 47RE.