Transmission problems

[Stebbo]

Hi Everybody,

I've just joined the forum and have tried to search for my particular problem but with no luck. I'm on the other side of the 'pond' to most of you guys - in England and have owned my 2WD 2500 V10 for coming up to 10 years this next month. I must confess that it was a 'mid life crisis' and a weak moment on e- bay, and if I'm totally honest one too many gin & tonics. It originated from Miami Beach so you can imagine it was a real hardship to come over to check it out and arrange for it to be shipped back to England !

It had 58,000mls on the clock and I've added a further 70,000 and other than two front brake calipers and two catalytic converters I've had no problems and for the most part got 12 - 13 (indicated) mpg.

Anyway enough of the background, the problem is the transmission. Recently I've noticed that all too often when I start to accelerate, even moderately, the revs will increase to 3000 + but it won't change up, unless I back the revs off and then it generally does change gear. It only seems to happen when changing from second to third. I must confess that the transmission fluid hasn't been changed for 40,000 mls - could it be as simple as that ? and even when it was last changed I'm not sure it would have been flushed as the local garage specializing in American vehicles did the work and I don't recall flushing was mentioned ! I know they used Dexron 2 but I get the impression that's not very well liked ? I did ask that the bands were checked.

So before I bore you all to tears, is there enough information here for anybody to suggest what might be the problem. I'm not sure what gearbox it is and I'm basing the year of manufacture on the plate on the door pillar although it wasn't registered until April 2000. Oh, it was made in Mexico !

Any help would be very much appreciated

Thanks

Stebbo

Correction : - Fluid actually used was Mopar + ATF 3 7176 Any better ?

 

[BAILEY1]

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have ya.

From the information you have given its sound like your going to need a rebuild on the trans. You could try just changing the fluid and filter to see if that would fix the problem but from what you have explained it sound like you might be past that point.

 

[Stebbo]

Thanks for your speedy response. Sadly it's the kind of news I was dreading from the mechanic while he slowly drew breath through clenched teeth. Do they do that in the States or is that just and English habit ?

I've just remembered another symptom that started around a couple of months and I don't know if it's connected. There seems to be a very slight 'rumble' that can be just about be felt through the floor when travelling at around 70mph, although recently it's happening at slightly lower speeds - 65 ish. Any thoughts as to whether that's connected or just another expense waiting to happen?

 

[Stebbo]

Thanks for your thoughts but he story so far, is that I've had the transmission flushed (so the garage says - he only charged for 5 litres of oil and I'm not sure if that's cos he likes me, feels sorry for me or didn't flush it ?) the oil and filter changed, the bands adjusted. He did say that the oil wasn't bad but the filter was pretty clogged. Perhaps not surprisingly it's made no difference.
The specialist trans guy, who I spoke to next and apparently knows these boxes well said that a common fault was the servo. If not, then a thorough check over and likely rebuild ! Likely cost £700/800 and £1400 respectively + 20% tax ($1000 -1200 & $2100) How does than sound ??

Thanks again.