Can a leaking rear freeze plug make the transmission get hot ? Could it interfeer with the way the tranny shifts? I tested the compression and i got 60 lbs on cylinder 2 - 2 times and then 135 2 times on cylinder 4 I stopped doing the test after i noticed # 2 was so low and #4 was near 135. The engine has an unknown number of miles on it but more than 150000.I got the specks from Dodge and it was set up for plow from dealer in Ma. The speedometer didn't work when i got truck. I was not concerned then. I started working on truck and started upgrading it.It got a new transmission about 14 months ago i think because the radiator leaked tranny fluid and water.The rad was replaced with stock from NAPA The line was modified with the ball removed. I have put hundreds in to in front end. Then Transmission Stage 1 from Trans depot. No problem until 2 months ago and it got hot I stopped the truck and cooled it for hours then drove home. The od light came on 2 times on way home so i stopped and let it cool. I changed transmission fluid and filter. thats when i noticed freeze plug. It was ok for a few weeks on short trips under 35 miles. 3 weeks ago i took a longer trip and about 60 miles into it then it started with the od light . I stopped again then waited. No codes set .It has tow package so it's got tank in radiator and an external cooler.I don't know when freeze plug started leaking because i never noticed until after i did the intake mod about 3000 miles ago.I used the truck to haul a 4000 # total load with trailer right after the intake mod. and that's when it got hot. The truck leaked oil and water until i did the intake mod. After that it leaks water only. When i changed the tranny fluid, there was no metal in the pan that i could tell but it had no magnet. The last time,the 3rd time, it had twice as much dark grey powder in pan, i'm thinking it's clutch material or converter not sure. I towed with od off after i read it here. The issues with tranny only started after the intake mod. unable to post to garage for unknown reason..98 ram 5.9 4x4 3/4 ton . Ideas please.

 

A leaking freeze plug will not make the transmission get hot or shift weird. Excessive slipping will cause a transmission to het hot and once its hot parts wear. Once parts wear the trans will shift weird. Sounds like you have multiple issues. Start by figuring out why the compression is low on cylinder 2. Do a compression check on ALL cylinders. Then you'll likely have to do a leak down test on the low cylinders.

How many miles are on the trans? What exactly was the stage 1 upgrades? Odd that it has no magnet in the pan. Yes that dark grey was friction material. Did you do a band adjustment while you had the pan off? The slipping could be as simple as an adjustment.

 

Did compression test because got code for misfire. I got drug away from it by wife and though to myself aw hell got issue that's not easy fix. So put on shelf till i have few days free.I just thought if it's leaking water maybe it's passing the heat from engine to tranny because it's in the back. Anywhere else would have gotten fixed quick.The only thing is engine never even gets really warm. Runs much cooler after intake mods new thermostat. Have e-mail to transdepot for the stage 1 difference than stock. Supposedly upgrade in shift kit hell i forget now but i told them i will tow 10000 lbs at times. Haven't yet but it's possible .

 

What truck do you have??

 

Bottom of first post... 98, 5.9, 2500.

 

Think I would run the compression test, check ALL cylinders, and see what things look like. Motor has to come out for the rear freeze plugs in any event.... if you have low compression on several cylinders, a motor swap might be a better plan.