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Post by Jersey on Jun 11, 2009 21:36:00 GMT -5
I took my truck in nice and early this morning to have an oil change and the transmission fluid flushed and replaced. It's been acting funky on the road, especially at higher speeds. Ever since I put in this stuff that cleans the fuel line, the carb, the injectors, and lubricates it all up, the truck has run pretty close to perfect from 0-55. But from 60-75 ( ;D) it's been running weird. It runs hot at 3000 RPM, refuses to shift, (auto) and I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep the speed maintained with the engine roaring the whole time. In the meantime, I know it's (for lack of a better word) completely raping my gas mileage. The full synthetic oil change, along with the tranny fluid flush and switch, cost me $230 this morning.  But I suppose it's better than eating the $4000 or more cost of a new frickin transmission. They showed me the fluid. It was black.  Apparently the previous owner didn't change it out before he sold me the truck two years ago, since which I've put barely 6000 miles on the truck. Check and change your tranny fluid every 50,000 miles boys and girls. Hopefully the clean fluids will help my truck perform properly now. |
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Post by Blastgirl on Jun 12, 2009 1:22:04 GMT -5
I read this about an hour ago and called my Dad for an opinion. He said that you should change the fluid about every twenty-thousand miles or so. But if you don't know when it was changed last you should leave it until you have a problem because if you change it all of a sudden, you could drain out some parts of internal clutches (just quoting if its wrong please understand my Dad is the mechanic not me.) ;D.
So if you do nothing and you finally experience trouble or hesitation you gamble by changing the fluid knowing that if will either fix or kill it but you are already having trouble so take the chance at fixing it and hope for the best. Your Transmission Fluid should be the color of red Kool-aid.
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Post by Mahnarch on Jun 12, 2009 22:37:32 GMT -5
Red Kool-aid is correct.
"NOT changing it because of internal clutch parts" is not correct.
Loose (burned up) parts will clog your filter, thus prohibiting that nutritious tranny fluid from reaching the critical parts.
Besetting all the technicals:
If you're driving a 4x4 type of vehicle that is 2003 or older, and it's going to see some work (plowing, climbing, dumbgently caresser) then it's best to do a 50/50 mix of regular ATF and synthetic ATF (I recommend Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF - because that's what I use/ have used for the last 12 years/ and am most familiar and happy with [as are my 1,000s of customers]).
Don't use a 100% synthetic ATF because you still need that petroleum base for the gruffier parts of the work.
I could get into technical points, again but, I won't.
Just do as I say.
Also, MY recommended ATF changing time (with a 50/50 mix) is every 50,000-60,000 miles - unless the fluid either looks bad, or smells bad.
ATF should smell sweet. Not make you want to puke up your lunch.
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Post by Jersey on Jun 13, 2009 19:02:35 GMT -5
I made a mistake when I said "running hot". I should have said "running hard". And to answer the question, it's still running like sh*t at higher speeds. Something is definitely wrong. I don't know much about trucks, but I'll describe it to the best of my ability. Even after the tranny fluid flush and the oil change, it still does the following: -Revs higher than normal at higher speeds. 2500 at 65 and 3000 at 75. -Transmission doesn't shift into a higher gear past 55 MPH. -Engine has to work very hard to maintain speed, since the transmission doesn't shift. I can't just cruise along easily like I remember doing, barely pressing the pedal to stay on par. Gas mileage suffers badly. -My gas pedal has about a 1/2 inch "sweet spot" where I can accelerate. Anything past the sweet spot, it hesitates and sputters. I couldn't speed up to avoid an accident if I needed to. My Dad and my brother seem to agree that my transmission is "set on 'haul', and need to have it switched to normal." I have no idea what this means. Ugh. I just want my truck to run like it's supposed to.  |
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Post by Blastgirl on Jun 13, 2009 20:22:18 GMT -5
I'm sure it's going to be easy to fix. Its a nice truck.
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Post by Jason O'Lewa on Jun 14, 2009 9:50:12 GMT -5
i like jerseys truck it has a loud and powerful pitch
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Post by Mahnarch on Jun 14, 2009 21:55:04 GMT -5
Hmm.... It's always difficult to diagnose something without seeing it.
(Is it possible for you to jump into the driver's seat and take a cruise [showing the dash, etc])?
Also, show me a """"slow"""" video of the underside of the hood? Driver's side to passenger?
More details the better.
Have you/Did you do any work to the engine or within it's compartment before the transmission problem? (i.e. - did you install an aftermarket stereo/CD player?)
Have you driven through deep water recently?
Deep enough to get your brake rotors wet.
Have you filled your gas tank at a re-fueling station that you've never used/rarely use recently?
Do you believe in Xenu?
When's that last time you had your fuel filter and distributor cap/rotor replaced?
Spark plug wires?
I'm trying to cover all my/your bases here.
The more info I can get the better.
Even something as unusual as "the neighbor's dog peeing on the left front tire" can tell me a ton of information.
How many miles on the truck?
Is the 'Check Engine' light on?
Any further info would help.
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Post by Jersey on Jun 14, 2009 22:32:54 GMT -5
(Is it possible for you to jump into the driver's seat and take a cruise [showing the dash, etc])? Also, show me a """"slow"""" video of the underside of the hood? Driver's side to passenger? More details the better. I think I can do that. The camera shots showing the dash and the underside of the hood should not be a problem. Have you/Did you do any work to the engine or within it's compartment before the transmission problem? (i.e. - did you install an aftermarket stereo/CD player?) I have a custom stereo system, but that was installed pretty close to right after I got the truck. The most recent work done on the truck where the engine might have been touched was when I had the cat-back dual exhaust system put on this past winter. There was no problems immediately after, but now that I'm thinking hard about it, I remember the guy telling me: "Come back when you want to talk about headers. One of yours is leaking a little." Hmmm... Have you driven through deep water recently? Deep enough to get your brake rotors wet. Not that I can recall. Maybe, probably, but not before this problem was already happening. Have you filled your gas tank at a re-fueling station that you've never used/rarely use recently? I rarely fill my tank because I don't have much money. Usually 20 here and there, but my most recent filling was at a station up near school two weeks ago. I filled it because I was also putting in the bottle of fuel cleaner/stabilizer in an effort to correct these problems. So no, not before the problems.  I may be a lot of things, but insane/stupid/gullible are not any of them.  When's that last time you had your fuel filter and distributor cap/rotor replaced? Spark plug wires? Never since I got the truck. These were my next set of considerations. I was hoping to avoid a tuneup because I can't afford it, but my plugs, cap, filter haven't been switched out. I noticed my air filter is pretty dirty. I was thinkink of replacing it with a K&N sometime this summer. How many miles on the truck? Is the 'Check Engine' light on? I just passed 192,000. The new engine only has about 9,000 on it. And the check engine light is off. Hopefully this gives a new direction. |
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Post by weasel2htm on Jun 16, 2009 19:12:23 GMT -5
Well, I just put four new tires on mine and had the wheels aligned. I need to replace the air filter and do a oil change on mine. Mine runs fine other being a way underpowered 2.2 liter engine.
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Post by Blastgirl on Jun 16, 2009 23:19:21 GMT -5
I just have a simple Monte Carlo. But now that the Boys are getting a little bit bigger I'm thinking of getting a four-door next.
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Post by Mahnarch on Jun 17, 2009 0:29:33 GMT -5
(Is it possible for you to jump into the driver's seat and take a cruise [showing the dash, etc])? Also, show me a """"slow"""" video of the underside of the hood? Driver's side to passenger? More details the better. I think I can do that. The camera shots showing the dash and the underside of the hood should not be a problem. {Sweet. What I really need it the dash [tach and speedo (NOT yours - lol) and the sound of what's gong on. I need to BE in that driver's seat. ......stop at McDonald's, if you can. I like the Double Cheese Dollar Menu. No. This isn't it. Your truck is too old. It only takes one apple to spoil at bunch.... Change out your fuel filter and get back to me. $15 and 15 minutes of your your time. A 20mm wrench and a 15mm line wrench. Alternatively, two crescent wrenches. .....just,......don't be laying directly underneath the filter (driver's side, mid span, under frame) when you loosen it... Be sure to blow through the INLET side after you take the old one off (the side facing the rear - the 'round' side). Compare it to the new one before you screw it into place. .......OH.....and DON'T use a propane torch to loosen the line nut!!!! ....it won't end pretty. Trust me.  I may be a lot of things, but insane/stupid/gullible are not any of them. Never since I got the truck. These were my next set of considerations. I was hoping to avoid a tuneup because I can't afford it, but my plugs, cap, filter haven't been switched out. I noticed my air filter is pretty dirty. I was thinkink of replacing it with a K&N sometime this summer. How many miles on the truck? Is the 'Check Engine' light on? I just passed 192,000. The new engine only has about 9,000 on it. And the check engine light is off. Hopefully this gives a new direction. |
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Post by Phil on Jun 17, 2009 14:01:09 GMT -5
You know what I drive for myself. The truck I usually drive at work is an older Ford. It's about a 1990 or 1991 dual wheeled crewcab with a 460 and 5 speed.
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Post by weasel2htm on Jun 17, 2009 18:06:56 GMT -5
My "Work Truck" is a 1994 GMC Safari Minivan, 4.3L V6, the back is all open, just the front two seats, it was intended to be a work vehicle when it was sold new.
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Post by Blastgirl on Jun 18, 2009 0:12:10 GMT -5
I feel so left out everybody else has a work vehicle.
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Post by Jersey on Jun 21, 2009 15:44:32 GMT -5
This shows how little I know. I don't even know what the fuel filter looks like or where it is. I'm taking it (on a good friend's recommendation) to KMart tommorow morning for a free diagnostic.
At least it will give me a direction. I'll post up what they tell me. The gas pedal issue is getting worse, as I used up and entire half a tank of gas in about 70 miles. Not good.
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Post by Phil on Jun 22, 2009 13:39:11 GMT -5
Your fuel filter will look like a canister with a tube on either end. It will be located towards the back near the fuel tank and screwed in the fuel lines.
If it's never been changed or hasn't been changed in a long time I'd change it anyway weather that fixes it or not.
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Post by Blastgirl on Jul 1, 2009 0:52:24 GMT -5
I just got my Air Conditioning recharged. YAY!!
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Post by Phil on Jul 1, 2009 15:55:01 GMT -5
Before we get back to the winter season I might be getting some more aggressive tires for my truck for extra traction plowing. The thing is 4 knobby tires for my truck are almost 900 so I might decide to get through 1 more year with the stock tired before I do that.
If it weren't for snow plowing the stock tires would be fine. And as it is I plowed all season with them this year.
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