Air Bubbles in Transmission Fluid

TheEnder · Nov 18, 2020

Burla said:
My guess is it isnt sump filter, if it is on right I don't seeing that vent being able to cause this. If you see fluid moving under a pump, it is a very violent process. What was the longest trip you took and then seen air bubbles? Has it happened like after driving an hour?

After an hour yes, that’s the longest i’ve seen it. I’ve also noticed a degradation in shift quality after a time period too, from there being some in the beginning to not much after.

I’ve checked the fluid cold with the engine on, and it still has bubbles in it.

I’ve been asking around, and i’ve heard some people say it could be the seals inside the trans. This doesn’t make much sense to me as the only thing the pump is doing in park is recirculating the fluid back into the pan?

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TheEnder · Nov 18, 2020

More news:

I checked the fluid again at proper temp to make sure i wasn’t going insane, absolutely perfect level.

Start driving around after this and it’s shifting beautifully, theyre quick but not rough shifts. Similar to my Chrysler 300 actually.

Get into town, hit the gas and make the engine go past 3K RPMs, after i do this the shifts go back to being very soft. Check the fluid when i get home and there’s bubbles in it, but they quickly dissipated, so i had the idea to rev the engine again and see what happens. This is what happened below:

The bubbles at first were a tad worse but i didn’t have the time to get my phone out in time. This leads me to believe it may actually have something to do with the main sump filter, but at the moment i’m way too worn out to drop the pan AGAIN.

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TheEnder · Nov 18, 2020

I am going to post the 2 page fluid measurement chart the dealer uses on the RFE for fluid measurement below, in case anyone needs it for future use. This was downloaded from TransEngineer, who used to be just that, a Chrysler trans engineer.

View attachment 65RFE Oil Level Chart.pdf

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TheEnder · Nov 18, 2020

Burla, i think i know what could’ve caused it.

When i was doing the vb upgrades, i tightened the **** out of the sump screw as i found it laying in the pan from not being on tight enough before, and i’m thinking that might’ve split it, but i’m not sure. I ordered a new sump+canister mopar filter off eBay so we will see.

I tightened it down to where it felt like the screw itself would break..

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TheEnder · Nov 19, 2020

Issue solved (to my best knowledge.)

Took the truck out this morning to it shifting amazingly well at low speeds, but once i got it up to higher speeds with more RPMs i got met with 2 CEL codes, P0868, and P0944. (Which sums up everything to do with a bad flat sump). It was also jerking around a lot too, like it was slipping, but i never saw the tach move and the trans temp stayed far below 180. Around 110-120 so i know i didn’t do any damage.

Park it in a Chevron gas station parking lot, and in Park i floored the engine for around 2 seconds. Checked the fluid and it was so bubbly that it looked like when you shake up Dawn dish soap in a bottle and pour it out.

So, it’s out of order until i get the new truck or until the eBay seller decides to ship my new filter set.

I managed to limp it home by dumping a **** ton of fluid in, i know it’s a horrible horrible horrible idea but it worked and she still got me home. I’m just happy i know what’s wrong now!

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TheEnder · Nov 22, 2020

Issue solved

Busted sump filter. Shifting very beautifully now.

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Burla · Nov 22, 2020

how does a sump filter bust?

TheEnder · Nov 22, 2020

Burla said:
how does a sump filter bust?

From the side, forgot what to call it.

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Burla · Nov 22, 2020

Point being, something broke that, so replacing the filter wouldn't necessarily fix it. You think it was just faulty?

TheEnder · Nov 22, 2020

Burla said:
Point being, something broke that, so replacing the filter wouldn't necessarily fix it. You think it was just faulty?

Faulty is the only way i can explain it really, unless the pump is somehow turning backwards and unloading into it.

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JS4024 · Nov 23, 2020

You have a major issue take it to a dealer!

TheEnder · Nov 24, 2020

JS4024 said:
You have a major issue take it to a dealer!

No reason to take it to a dealer anymore, the truck is fine.

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TheEnder · Nov 24, 2020

Burla said:
Point being, something broke that, so replacing the filter wouldn't necessarily fix it. You think it was just faulty?

Should i preform another relearn since i performed the other one with bubbles in the fluid from a bad sump filter? Truck is still shifting quite soft at low throttle and i don’t know if it’s normal, but it took care of literally every other issue it had. The shifts when flooring it are very firm.

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Burla · Nov 24, 2020

how does it shift in tow haul?

TheEnder · Nov 24, 2020

Burla said:
how does it shift in tow haul?

I don’t know yet, i’ll let you know in a minute.

TheEnder · Nov 24, 2020

Shifts much worse with T/H on.

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indept · Nov 25, 2020

Can't hurt to do the relearn again.

CVX20 · Nov 25, 2020

TheEnder said:
Issue solved

Busted sump filter. Shifting very beautifully now.

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Pretty sure I mentioned sucking air at the filter was one cause for bubbles.LOL.
Shift relearn might not help because of driving it with it sucking air.May have already done some damage to the fibre plates(soft shifts).The PCM can compensate for low pressure somewhat and that can mask a real issue.I'm not TransEngineer but I built tranny's for GM for 15 years

TheEnder · Nov 25, 2020

CVX20 said:
Pretty sure I mentioned sucking air at the filter was one cause for bubbles.LOL.
Shift relearn might not help because of driving it with it sucking air.May have already done some damage to the fibre plates(soft shifts).The PCM can compensate for low pressure somewhat and that can mask a real issue.I'm not TransEngineer but I built tranny's for GM for 15 years

I’m 50/50 on damage done to the trans as my last transmission went through much worse and didn’t have any metal in the pan every time i pulled it, but, if it’s damaged i’ll know soon enough, right?

I remember Wild one saying metal in the pan that’s light bronze/gold is from the torque converter, so that’s really the only thing i worry about. I know fully well it won’t last 100K though.

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CVX20 · Nov 25, 2020

TheEnder said:
I’m 50/50 on damage done to the trans as my last transmission went through much worse and didn’t have any metal in the pan every time i pulled it, but, if it’s damaged i’ll know soon enough, right?

I remember Wild one saying metal in the pan that’s light bronze/gold is from the torque converter, so that’s really the only thing i worry about. I know fully well it won’t last 100K though.

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For sure you'll be the first to know.The first thing I used to do on a failed or failing trans was to open up the filter and see what was in there.A lot of the time even on a failed trans you only see alum mud laying in the pan but inside the filter will tell the tail.Installing a new trans without flushing the lines and coolers is asking for trouble also.

Air Bubbles in Transmission Fluid

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