Need help again - transmission overheating while towing

[15Ram64]

Well the shop just called with bad news. We need a new transmission. They said it will take about 2 weeks which means we have to cancel our summer vacation. We are devastated.

 

[caulk04]

I've not followed along that well, but you weren't yet having any issue beyond the high temps, right? Temps getting high enough for the truck to warn you of 'high temp' are certainly not going to help the life of the trans but if it weren't actively misbehaving I wouldn't go swapping the trans.

Like I think I mentioned before, change the fluid and eliminate the thermostat block in your trans lines. Even if you do go through with the new trans, get rid of that thermo block.

 

[15Ram64]

I've not followed along that well, but you weren't yet having any issue beyond the high temps, right? Temps getting high enough for the truck to warn you of 'high temp' are certainly not going to help the life of the trans but if it weren't actively misbehaving I wouldn't go swapping the trans.

Like I think I mentioned before, change the fluid and eliminate the thermostat block in your trans lines. Even if you do go through with the new trans, get rid of that thermo block.

No issues before this. We bought the truck last summer and towed with it three times since buying the camper in January.

 

[caulk04]

No way I'd be replacing the trans if it still operates normally, aside from reaching high temps while towing.

 

[crash68]

@caulk04 saying you wouldn't swap the trans just because of high temps, without knowing what the clutches look like or if there's a pile of metal shavings in the pan your just blowing smoke. The OP did mention it started shifting hard when it was running hot.
Supposed he does just have the fluid changed, what's to say the trans come apart once it's pulling a trailer up a grade. Now the truck, trailer and family is stuck on the side of the road, most likely a couple of hundred miles from home.

 

[caulk04]

No way I'd swap the trans. If there's no issue besides it getting hot while towing, it's not worth replacing. New trans or not, it needs the thermostat delete. New fluid and filters will run you what, $150 tops? Sure beats several thousand for a new trans.

Now, IF it's throwing codes and acting up then perhaps it's time. But I've not read any reports of such.

 

[OC455]

Well the shop just called with bad news. We need a new transmission. They said it will take about 2 weeks which means we have to cancel our summer vacation. We are devastated.

That sucks

 

[15Ram64]

That sucks

Yes it does. However we were able to move our campground reservation to the end of August. Although a hotter time of year, it’s $100 cheaper, so there’s that LOL.

 

[GsRAM]

So sorry to hear that. That is terrible news. Glad you were able to move the camping date.

If I were you, I'd have the transmission thermostat delete kit installed before it leaves the shop.

What is the cost of the rebuild?

 

[15Ram64]

So sorry to hear that. That is terrible news. Glad you were able to move the camping date.

If I were you, I'd have the transmission thermostat delete kit installed before it leaves the shop.

What is the cost of the rebuild?

I’m not sure because we purchased a full warranty. We just have to pay a small deductible.

 

[dhay13]

If it's covered then just get it done by a reputable shop. Not sure what went wrong but a rebuilt one should outlast the truck

 

[GsRAM]

I’m not sure because we purchased a full warranty. We just have to pay a small deductible.

Wow! That is excellent! At least that's some good news, I'm sure it'd be 3-4k at least. Hope all works out and the tech does a good job for you on the rebuild.

I'd also seriously consider going back to the stock tire size before you tow with it again. Some may say it's no big deal, I disagree. Any advantage you gain by going to the stock (shorter) tire will put less strain on that fresh transmission and also they will weigh less, which will also help.

Your truck, your decision, but if it were mine, after the rebuild I'd ditch the front level kit, go back to stock tire size, have the transmission thermostat bypass kit installed, and then ensure you service that transmission every 30k miles or 5 yrs, whichever comes first, going forward and that should help it live longer.

I have 14,600 miles on my 17 and next year I'm servicing the trans, transfer case, both differentials and installing the thermostat bypass kit and draining and flushing the radiator and overflow tank, because it will be 5 yrs old end of December, this year. That is long enough time wise.

 

[15Ram64]

Wow! That is excellent! At least that's some good news, I'm sure it'd be 3-4k at least. Hope all works out and the tech does a good job for you on the rebuild.

I'd also seriously consider going back to the stock tire size before you tow with it again. Some may say it's no big deal, I disagree. Any advantage you gain by going to the stock (shorter) tire will put less strain on that fresh transmission and also they will weigh less, which will also help.

Your truck, your decision, but if it were mine, after the rebuild I'd ditch the front level kit, go back to stock tire size, have the transmission thermostat bypass kit installed, and then ensure you service that transmission every 30k miles or 5 yrs, whichever comes first, going forward and that should help it live longer.

I have 14,600 miles on my 17 and next year I'm servicing the trans, transfer case, both differentials and installing the thermostat bypass kit and draining and flushing the radiator and overflow tank, because it will be 5 yrs old end of December, this year. That is long enough time wise.

I did a google search and everything I've found for a transmission thermostat bypass kit is for Diesel engines.

 

[WVRam68]

I did a google search and everything I've found for a transmission thermostat bypass kit is for Diesel engines.

Ats shows same bypass for hemi and diesel.

https://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/productdetail.asp?p=3100052392&D=1

A phone call would prove either way if OP goes that route.

I prefer mishimoto, had both.

If you have any kind of winter, ATS is full bypass, so no bypassing for winter.

Mishimoto offers both in same kit.

Sorry got on a roll.


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[dieseldave]

Ats shows same bypass for hemi and diesel.

https://www.atsdiesel.com/ats2/productdetail.asp?p=3100052392&D=1

A phone call would prove either way if OP goes that route.

I prefer mishimoto, had both.

If you have any kind of winter, ATS is full bypass, so no bypassing for winter.

Mishimoto offers both in same kit.

Sorry got on a roll.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What temperature is considered to high ?

 

[wgreggking]

I did the ATS lowered my temp from 205 to 180.
From my original post:
In July drove an hour in stop and go traffic, at outside air temp 119 degrees, tranny was 186, pulled into a store while the wife went in, sat in park on fresh blacktop and the temp spiked up to 205 - 210, AC on full. Shortly thereafter installed the AtS bypass never saw those temps again. Been towing he boat this summer, hardly gets over 180, during an hour drive in hilly desert terrain.

 

[WVRam68]

What temperature is considered to high ?

I'd school thought was always 195ish start worrying.
Cooler is always better

Not a expert in any way, just had Ian issue running 200+ Pulling camper in summer weather worried me.
I do know "can't find info", that 140-150 is the lowest for extended run.
I was running 120 during first winter with first bypass.

Now run 160-170 year round.

Makes me happier right or wrong.


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[15Ram64]

My dad is trying to convince me that we need to upgrade to a 3500/F-350 diesel. He thinks the camper is too heavy for our hemi. Buying a truck is not in the cards for us right now.

 

[2003F350]

My dad is trying to convince me that we need to upgrade to a 3500/F-350 diesel. He thinks the camper is too heavy for our hemi. Buying a truck is not in the cards for us right now.

That Hemi can handle the load, as can the suspension of your 2500. Would a one ton do it better? Maybe, but if it's not in the cards it's not in the cards, plain and simple.

I think the advice you've gotten in this thread (remove leveling kit, return to stock size tires, thermal bypass kit) will go a long way toward helping you keep this truck in good shape for a long time, even pulling that camper.

 

[Rado]

I’m not sure because we purchased a full warranty. We just have to pay a small deductible.

Now that is good news Hope all goes well after the rebuild !