I have a 2001 Ram 1500 with the 5.2 v8. When I shift the transmission into reverse a loud whinning /humming noise is heard and it seems to be getting louder over time. I've serviced the trans. and put the recommended chrysler trans fluid and filter. Any suggestion on what I need to do with the transmission?

Warranty Question: I'm the second owner & the truck has 55000 miles on it. Will dodge still honor the their drivetrain warranty?

 

If the extended powertrain warranty transfer were paid then Yes, they honor the warranty. The trans "buzz" is a 50/50 deal 50% of the time we fix it, 50% of the time it gets worse. It is a valve body concern because the valves and surrounding body are different materials it causes the valve to "flutter". It is annoying but in no way detremental to trans life or trans shifting abuility.

 

it could also be a front pump, but I only have experience with sounds from the RS bodies and sedans.

but the fluttering noise can just be some air in the fluid too...when you sericed the trans did you remove the filter and install a new one? Because if you didnt remove the old o-ring, you will suck air out of the top of the case, and that can be very bad...does the trans lurch into gear? Does it only make this noise on cold startups and get softer after it heats up?

hit me with some details and I will tyr to get back to you with some TSB notes from work tomorrow

 

It could be rust, since the fluid container is of metal could have rusted and some particals might have gone through
the system. you might change the entire fluid to see if its dirty.

 

I very seriously doubt the rust theory...I have never once seen a trans pan rust from the inside out..let alone rust through sealant paint...but you rasie a good issue nonetheless. Take down the pan and check for any sort of small debris...here is that to look for:

small metal pieces - if you find small metal pieves that are jaged and sharp, DO NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK ANY FURTHER, because you probobly have a sun gear that is about to shave all of its internal mating splines, and then youll never be able to get it out of 2nd

large condensation of sludge/metal on the magnet - it is not uncommon to find a bit of metal on the trans magnet, but if the debris covers the entirs magnet and almost looks like it branches out, or seems to be abnormally large, seek some technical help in person with a real mopar mechanic.

very fine, gold-looking, debris - finding some debris that looks like glitter is not uncommon, and you shouldnt give it a second thought, it is from the bearings for the front pump, and over time the wear a bit of the soft copper mating surfaces into a very fine shiny dust, and its too soft to hurt anything.


...now

when you are reinstalling the pan on your truck, you may use the preformed gasket from mopar, but I would highly recomend against using a cork gasket, or orange rtv. The reason is that both of these mating materials do not adhere to the smooth contoured pan, or the machined transmition case, and they can lead to a very bad seal issue, and a lot mre work for you in a short amount of time. I recomend using the mopar rubber gasket, or the metal gasket, and using a generous amount of black rtv sealant on the top and underside of the gasket, to affect a good seal, and make labor a bit easier for you. And when you are torqueing those pan bolts down, use low air, or a 1/4 drive tool to tighten them down, otherwise you will probobly strip the holes, and tyhen youll really be up a creek without a paddle

 

I have serviced it twice my self and i did remove the oring and replaced the filter. No it does not lurch into gear goes in seemingly normal it makes the noise most of the time when its cold but have heard it on occassion when hot I have a friend who was a trans man and he said it might be air and about a kinda of check valve or something in one of the transmission lines going to the cooler but he wasn't sure on the 2001 model he told me to remove it ?? any suggestions thanks for the other info anymore would be greatly appreciated p.s. I have read that these transmission were bad about poor lubrication causing failure read it on a web link with jasper transmission everheard that?

 

The reverse "buzz" is a very common concern, there are multiple TSB's discussing it. It is simply an annoying problem. Heat is the number 1 problem ALL Chrysler transmissions have. The lubricating circut works quite well until something (lack of maintence) plugs the cooler or checkvalve and then it's all over.

 

HELL NO---DO NOT USE ANY FORM OF RTV ON THE PAN OR GASKET. Guys who do this cause me all sorts of headaches and grief. Anytime there is a gasket being used you NEVER use RTV also, RTV is a replacement for the gasket, use one or the other, NOT both. Sometimes a LITTLE bit of gasket adhesive is needed to hold them in place, thats it.

 

well I consider lack rtv to be my best friend in trans work...especially on durnagos a truck trans'

I admit that I use it more on rs transmitions and the auto 4 speeds in the front engine front drive cars, but I have also used it in small amount as insurance against leaks in rwd chrysler transmitions aswell...what kind of problems does it cause you? Dooes it make the removal of the soft pan too dificult, because I have noticed that it definatly make the pan far more stuborn in most cases, but I consider that par for the course when doing trans work, the tighter the seal the better

 

yeah, it makes removal more difficult, clean up more difficult, and it is unnesessary. If you make sure the pan rails are straight and use the factory gasket and torque properly they go 30-40K with no leaks-no problems.