Seems like everything is failing at once on my 99 Ram 2500 (something like 170k miles on it). Let me outline things.

* a couple weeks ago, my transmission started not shifting, or even downshifting when I was going way too fast. Had the same problem in 2009, and changing the governor & solenoid fixed the problem, so I did the same thing this time. Put in a new filter & fluid, of course. It may have run a little low on fluid for a couple days, as I kept having to go back and buy another quart of fluid. (Haynes manual said 4 qts when changing fluid, 9 in a dry system, so I started with 4. Ended up putting in 6.)
* still seemed to not want to make the first couple of shifts, but then it would run fine.
* while checking transmission fluid, smelled antifreeze. found tiny leak where radiator & tank join
* friend at work suggested Lucas transmission treatment. Guys at parts store said all the tranny shops swear by it, so I bought a bottle while getting antifreeze to top off the coolant (last Wednesday, 4 days ago)
* transmission--next day seemed to not shift (slipping?) even worse. I think it helps if I move shifter back and forth a couple times, or rev engine a bit. (not sure about this last part)

then this weekend...
* Saturday--while unloading and working near the truck had the radio running for a couple hours
* Went to move truck, was sluggish starting, and would keep running unless I kept my foot on the accelerator. Ran the engine (again, with help of slight bit of pressure on accelator) for a while, then parked it.
* put some epoxy on radiator tank, as a long shot to seal leak. Left radiator cap loose so there would be no pressure on system.
* Sunday--found antifreeze puddle under truck. Looking underneath, it seems to be coming from water pump.
* Tried to crank, just get repeated clicks. Battery dead?


First of all, I would normally say the transmission, coolant, and starting problem are unrelated. But all at once? Someone please check my sanity!!

Second--any ideas on transmission?

Third--how difficult is radiator & water pump to replace. I'm no mechanic, but am comfortable with basic stuff. I do oil, brake pads/shoes, and changed the water pump & radiator on my old 91 Silverado years ago. Should I go ahead and tackle it? I've heard people insist that timing belt/chain should always be changed with water pump. Can/should I do that as well? (I found DIY instructions in this forum. Doesn't sound too bad, but...)

Fourth--guess I'll take the battery in to be checked. don't think there's a question there.

thanks!
Jim

 

Yeah, I'd say they're unrelated.

I ran the radio off the battery for a few hours and killed my truck. Couldn't even get it jumped. Trickle charged the battery and it wouldn't hold a charge. Still not sure how I did that, but I can only figure that it was just the battery's time to go.

Most people will tell you that at 170k miles, your timing chain is probably stretched pretty badly. Replacing it with a double roller set will keep it from stretching as bad, and most swear that it improved how their truck ran.

The chain sits right behind the water pump, so once you have the pump out it's only a matter of a few bolts and a new gasket to get access to the chain. So if you decide to change the chain later, you're pulling the pump all over again. That's why most people say to change the chain with the pump in our setup. There's a couple of great write-ups on here. One day I'll get around to changing both of mine. Probably when I finally get around to fixing the plenum as well.

The radiator could be the cause of both the antifreeze and the missing transmission fluid. The radiator handles transmission cooling as well, (usually in addition to an external cooler). A leaky seal could cause you to lose both, slowly. Replacing it isn't that bad, just messy.

If you can't confirm a bad water pump via the weep hole, I might start with just the radiator. Pretty easy to change out, and since you know it's bad it could fix a couple of problems.

As for the shifting on the transmission, most people around here frown on Lucas. Others swear by it, although it's usually the anecdotal "My sister ran it in her Ford, it was fine." type comments. (Maybe Lucas is bad for only Dodge transmissions?) I ran a bottle through mine for about a thousand miles before i got around to actually changing the tired fluid and filter and was no worse for it. But of course, YMMV.

 

Thanks for the response. It's a late night now, most of which has been pouring over the forum.

I figured as much on the battery, as it's a few years old.

I couldn't find instructions dedicated to the timing chain in the forum, but it was mentioned several times. Sounds like the gears are marked well so there isn't much problem with timing. Hope they come off easily! There were some posts that suggested the harmonic balancer would be the hardest part, and I should rent a puller.

Pretty sure the water pump is leaking. It's actually running a slow drip from underneath, so I'll probably do the pump, timing chain, thermostat, radiator, and hoses as well. Add in a battery most likely, and I'll have a nice project for the long weekend. (Will have to find a way to work for the next couple days, though.) Ugh.

 

It happens to me too. Mostly with things rattling or squeaking. Make a checklist and do them one at a time. It's mopar anxiety.