My transmission was rebuilt a little over 6k ago, I noticed today on the way home with O/D off (all town driving, want to reduce shifting, seems to help MPG a tiny bit) it seemed to hesitate when downshift around 30MPH while going over a railroad track. At first I thought the truck died, it was really weird.

I noticed a bit more slight hesitation when accelerating around 30-40Mph. The torque converter is supposed to lock in around 45mph, correct?

Anyways, with the engine running, normal temp, tranny in neutral parking brake on I checked the fluid level, this is where I'm not 100% sure. There is no color to the fluid unless you wipe it off with your finger's then there is a slight bit of red. It does appear to be around the "safe" level, maybe a little more. It's so clear and thin it's kinda hard to tell.

I did post in a previous thread that I noticed a dent in the tranny fluid pan with some drops of fluid on the very bottom of the pan.

Could this be as simple as just low fluid? I know I'm gonna have to replace the pan and gasket. I just dont wanna go in and screw something up.

Thanks.

 

Tranny fluid should be obviously red..... if it isn't, there may be some additive or other in there thinning it out. Probably wouldn't hurt to change the fluid and filter, (and install a new pan...... or fix yours.....) and see if that doesn't improve its attitude any.

Nother possibility would be a failing TPS sensor.

 

+1 on changing the fluid. I bet they did not use ATF+4 when it was rebuilt.

 

Okie dokie. Will change fluid and filter first and see how she does. Today is the first time she's done this soooooo..... Hopefully fluid is all it is.

 

I called AutoZone, their computer says it holds 4Quarts of tranny fluid. Is that correct?


Thanks again.

 

You'll probably want to get 6qt's. And I hate to spend your money, but I'd get 12 and 2 filters. Change it now and next week change it again, to help get out as much as possible, of whatever they put in it. Install a drain plug while you are at it. Makes situations like these a lot easier.

 

Alright. Thanks for the help

 

No prob. Check the TPS too, as HeyYou suggested. The procedure is in the Haynes or FSM.

 

I have noticed lately that some atfs aren't bright red anymore. Some of them are just light pink out of the bottle new.

My ATF +4 has the same light pink color, from the bottle. I too have trouble seeing mine on my dipstick. I angle it against the sky to see where the fluid is.

I've noticed this with ATF +4, and some autopart store branded Dexron/Mercon blends.

What gives?? Is that red dye expensive or something?

 

When it's thinned out like on a dipstick, it will be a lot more translucent, compared to what it looks like in a full bottle.