Hi, I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 4wd, I use this truck as a mud/tow truck. Now the other day I got quite dumb and tried helping a friend get unstuck but ended up sinking my truck. Water filled my transmission. I drained with new filter. Twice. Truck drove fine then slipped out of gear. All I had was reverse when I was pinning it. So I had to be trailered home. The next day I tried driving it and it hit all gears like it should of. What would cause this? Also will I need to remove the transmission? If so should I rebuild it or buy a used one? I’m right on money. If I do need to rebuild it, what should I upgrade to beef it up. I don’t know a lot about transmissions so I’d have to have someone rebuild it. Please help me find this problem. Any input will help.
Did water go above the level of the dipstick-filler tube? Was the transmission pan full of water? Have you cleaned up connectors that were submerged? You might want to check out the differential as well to see if that flooded.
The adhesive that holds the clutches in the transmission are water soluble. So if water got in the trans it is most likely time for a rebuild as the glue doesn't work anymore.
I bought a motor from a guy that had been wheeling and sunk the truck to the point getting water in the trans. I verified it by dropping the pan and there was indeed dirt at the bottom. He drained the fluid so most of it was gone. I didn't see any issues with the bands. The trans was a freebie because he had to get rid of it anyway. Guess it depends on how long you ran it with water in it. On the second fluid change did you see any pieces of anything in the fluid and was the fluid still pink? The breather for the trans is at the top of the pump housing so that's where the water got in.
I bought a motor from a guy that had been wheeling and sunk the truck to the point getting water in the trans. I verified it by dropping the pan and there was indeed dirt at the bottom. He drained the fluid so most of it was gone. I didn't see any issues with the bands. The trans was a freebie because he had to get rid of it anyway. Guess it depends on how long you ran it with water in it. On the second fluid change did you see any pieces of anything in the fluid and was the fluid still pink? The breather for the trans is at the top of the pump housing so that's where the water got in.
I drove the truck home after submerging, (was the only way for us to get back) the truck drove fine for about 30 minutes then I parked it. I changed the fluid once and it was like a Greyson yellow color. Lots of gooey contents in pan. No large chunks or anything, just the weird peanut buttery type stuff in the pan. I flushed the fluid and put it back together knowing I still had to get the rest out of the torque converter. So I drove it about 5 more minutes and let it run. The fluid was then pink again. So I changed it again with a new filter and some stop slip (was not the Lucas kind) and fresh fluid and so now we’re up to date. I Drove it about an hour and it stopped using any forward gears. I trailered it home. If I get in it right now it will move. You see where I’m from it’s hard to find my type of transmission, so if it’s something I could try and change at home it would help.
The peanut butter gooey stuff is water contaminated with the oil. These transmissions hold 12-13 quarts of fluid so just draining the pan and adding new oil won't flush it out. You're looking at getting it rebuilt or another transmission. Some useful info on water getting in the trans, https://www.mistertransmission.com/w...-transmission/
They are pretty heavy so a transmission jack or a floor jack with a trans adaptor is really recommended. On my 2001 1500 4x4 I cut the tail pipe about 4 inches in back of the catalytic converter and dropped the whole exhaust pipe, it gives you a lot more room to work in. I bought a coupler to join the 2 pipes back together. The transmission/transfer case crossmember is slightly shaped like a wedge so when taking it off you'll need to push it up out of the frame of the truck, hammering it down just makes it tighter and won't come out. Drop the transmission down a bit in the rear to be able to access the bolts on the top of the transmission. I put the truck up on 4, 6 ton jack stands Review the service manual here https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html
The peanut butter gooey stuff is water contaminated with the oil. These transmissions hold 12-13 quarts of fluid so just draining the pan and adding new oil won't flush it out. You're looking at getting it rebuilt or another transmission. Some useful info on water getting in the trans, https://www.mistertransmission.com/w...-transmission/
They are pretty heavy so a transmission jack or a floor jack with a trans adaptor is really recommended. On my 2001 1500 4x4 I cut the tail pipe about 4 inches in back of the catalytic converter and dropped the whole exhaust pipe, it gives you a lot more room to work in. I bought a coupler to join the 2 pipes back together. The transmission/transfer case crossmember is slightly shaped like a wedge so when taking it off you'll need to push it up out of the frame of the truck, hammering it down just makes it tighter and won't come out. Drop the transmission down a bit in the rear to be able to access the bolts on the top of the transmission. I put the truck up on 4, 6 ton jack stands Review the service manual here https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html
Thank you, where could I maybe find another trans? It’s hard to find one near me. If not what exactly would I need to rebuild on the trans? Would it need to be fully rebuilt or could I get away with a certain portion? Sorry I know these are probably dumb questions, I’m just short of money. Also what could I do to help preserve the new transmission as much as possible? I heard there’s a trans cooler line that doesn’t allow fluid to move as freely as it should? If so what could I change to fix that?
Thank you, where could I maybe find another trans? It’s hard to find one near me. If not what exactly would I need to rebuild on the trans? Would it need to be fully rebuilt or could I get away with a certain portion? Sorry I know these are probably dumb questions, I’m just short of money. Also what could I do to help preserve the new transmission as much as possible? I heard there’s a trans cooler line that doesn’t allow fluid to move as freely as it should? If so what could I change to fix that?
Junkyard or online
Full rebuild
Drill the check valve from the line or just use a hose, don't get water in the trans (could move the vent up higher), and don't drive it like it's stolen
car-part.com It's a used parts for the JY to sell their stuff. I've gotten a few things from that site. Shipping isn't to bad. Heck you might see a JY in your area.
(could move the vent up higher), and don't drive it like it's stolen