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Thread: Scorched Tranny Fluid

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Hoopeston, Illinois
    Posts
    9

    Default Scorched Tranny Fluid

    OK I will back away from the ledge, but it is so very disappointing after looking at these web sites for years and finally buying my first diesel and being so excited and proud about it, to find out it will not pull 8500 lbs up a hill without overheating. GM dealer is now telling me that they will order the parts to replace the air box whch will cool down the motor and in turn cool the tranny. My next question is does this work. Truck is a 2004 3500 4x4 LLY, 22,000 miles with no modifications.
    04 LT 3500 4 x 4, LLY
    No Mods

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    13,573

    Arrow

    I'm not sure what they mean by "air box", under your description, but let them try. If it doesn't work, take it back. Let them fix something else, and try again. If anything works, then you will have a good truck, only suffering some inconvenience (which they should compensate you for).

    In the meanwhile (on the QT), look into your state's lemon law requirements. Some states require a specific number of attempts to correct a defect over a specific period of time, then the manufacturer is required to buy back or replace your vehicle. If you use your vehicle in accordance with the manufacurer's specifications, and it overheats, it is not performing as advertised (what you paid for), and is defective. Do not mention the "lemon law" to your dealer until they have met all the criteria. It will only create friction. The best option is to keep the dealer "working" for you. Try to be polite, but don't bend over for them.

    Good luck!
    1985 Blazer 6.2
    2001 GMC 2500HD D/A
    dmaxmaverick@thedieselpage.com

  3. #3

    Default

    I once had transmission/transfer case issues with a 2003 K3500 (6.0L gas, 4L80E) that were repaired under warranty.

    After the repair, the truck started to exhibit slippage in reverse when loaded with a trailer. I took the truck back to the dealer, they checked everything, and basically suggested that I not "tow such heavy trailers".

    The next day, I stopped by with a properly loaded and tarped 30' gooseneck behind my truck, and asked the service manager to take a ride with me. The dealership's back lot has a pretty good grade to it, so I simply started backing up this grade until the transmission slipped, bucked and chattered enough for him to see.

    2nd new transmission rebuild happened the next day. They had made a mistake on one clutch pack during the initial rebuild.

    If you have a defective torque converter, transmission, or both. Don't give up, load the truck up and take your Service Advisor for a ride. Don't discount the whole package for a defect. You have a good truck, overall. We all can attest to that.

    Question: Was your truck purchased used? If so, what do you know of its previous owner's use? Has it ever been chipped or turned up? If it was in the past, you might have glazed clutch packs, causing the slippage and overheat.

    I tow commercially with heavy loads and can tell you that overheating can happen with everything functioning 'normally' if your torque converter isn't locking up or if your expected speed is too high. The difference between 60mph and 65mph under towing/grade conditions can be the difference between 210 and 260 on your transmission temp.

    BTW, unless your temps were sustained for long periods of time, I really doubt that your fluid was 'scorched'. Replacement never hurts, and makes sense for the dealership to do if you brought them a truck that had been 'hot'. Did you see/smell the fluid? Was it red, brown or black?

    I'd like to hear alot more detail about the conditions and situation leading up to this overheat. We may be able to find a root cause that will save you alot of headaches and time arm wrestling with the dealer, or pinpoint the componant that they need to focus on - i.e. torque converter vs. clutch packs.
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2000
    Location
    Loyal WI US
    Posts
    10,792

    Default

    The first thing that I would do is change the spin on trans filter. If it hasn't been done in 22k, that could well be a key issue.

    The air filter change is the 2006 air box upgrade/update or whatever you call it. Be sure that they apply the proper ECM programming to match this box.
    Kennedy Diesel-owner
    More than just a salesman-I use and test the products that I sell on a daily basis!
    Superflow Lie Detector in house
    2002 Chev K2500HD D/A CC Long LT 11.77@ 124mph at 7700# fuel only-e.t. needs help
    2005 Chev K3500SRW D/A CC Long LT(SOLD)
    2007 Chev K2500 Classic EC Short LT (Sold)
    2012 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC Long LTZ Happy Birthday to me! Built 1 working day after my birthday and delivered 7 days later.
    2016 GMC K3500SRW D/A CC short LTZ

    Custom tuning in house using EFI Live tuning software!

  5. #5

    Default

    JK - is the airbox really improved? Anyone flow tested it over the stock peices?

    Also what circumstances would allow the Allison to be towing, but not locked up? I think this is the root of his overheating problems - I have experienced the same once while loaded, limped, and in a traffic situation that would not allow me to pull over. It got hot enough to send a message to the dash (2001 layout) and set a TCM 'Transmission Overheat' code that my dealership recently found and cleared when doing my injector work.

    I have since changed the tranny fluid and external filter, but it wasn't scorched at all. Still pink, not stinky, and probably not necessary. I was in the RED zone for 10-15 minutes with GCVWR of 25,500# on uphill grades western PA...big boat, uphill, headwind, hot day...
    Last edited by Mark Rinker; 10-02-2006 at 11:06.
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Hoopeston, Illinois
    Posts
    9

    Default Scorched

    I purcahsed the truck new. and have cahnged the fuel fiter once and the transmission filter twice. This was the first time pulling in moderate heat (85 degrees) and fairly substantial long steep grades. I pulled the same route with the same trailer when the truck had app. 3 k on it but it was in the fall with cooler temps and to tell the truth I can not remember the operating temps. but I know they were not as high as I just experienced. The dealer is telling me that since the engine was creeping up to 235 degrees that this in turn was heating up the tranny, due to both cooling lines running thru the same radiator. I guess I will let them attempt the fix and take off and run the same route once the temps heat back up next year.
    04 LT 3500 4 x 4, LLY
    No Mods

  7. #7

    Default

    Was the fan clutch fully engaged continually during the high water temps? Anyone suggested testing its function?
    2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3L daily driver
    • Previous owner of two 1994 6.5L K3500s, '01, '02, and '05 6.6L K2500s, '04 C4500, '06 K3500 dually, '06 K3500 SRW, '09 K3500HD SRW, '05 Denali
    • Total GM diesel miles to date : ~950K

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    683

    Default

    Huntington, Mark is right. If the fan came on you would absolutely remember. They do roar.
    02 2500HD LT D/A SB CC 4X4 BLACK, Westin stainless nerf bars, BW GN Hitch,Racor 60S post oem fuel filter, Oil Guard bypass engine oil Filter. All synthetic fluids. Kennedy boost valve, edge, Modified air intake,EGT & Boost digital gauge,TransferFlow combo fuel & tool box, Air Lift Suspesion Bags Rear & compressor with remote, Bilsteins front & rear, Frontier front replacement bumper.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Hoopeston, Illinois
    Posts
    9

    Default Clutch Fan

    Fan would come on when the engine temp went towards 235
    04 LT 3500 4 x 4, LLY
    No Mods

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    39

    Default

    LLY's seem to have a problem with overheating. Your best bet is to keep up on your maintenance and log/document all your trips. Weigh the truck at a certified scale and keep the slip to prove your vehicle was not over weight when it overheated. Take pics and/or video of the trailer and rig, temp gauge, or any other signs of overheating. Presenting a good case to GM when dealing with the overheating will aid you in getting it fixed right or bought back. It will take you some time to do all this, but it will help you in the long run.

    There are some mods that you can do to fix the problem. They cost about a grand and I doubt GM will pay for them. One is a radiator mod and the other one is a engine oil cooler. They both claim to stop LLY overheating.
    Twin Turbo LLY

    EFI Live Tuned by Me
    11.8 @ 118+ 1/4 on #2 only

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Calgary, AB. Canada
    Posts
    87

    Wink Tranny temp

    Mine was starting to run a little hotter in the 100F this summer. It hadn't in the previous year. I looked in the grille and found that 2 rows of the tranny cooler had been pushed close (self car wash??).

    Once they were opened she ran a lot cooler.

    Maybe have a look ???
    2003 GMC 3500HD D/A, EC/LB, 4x4


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    144

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Hunnington
    The dealer is telling me that since the engine was creeping up to 235 degrees that this in turn was heating up the tranny, due to both cooling lines running thru the same radiator. .
    He was correct. The tranny would be better off in this case, bypassing the rad. Most of the time the radiator is heating (not cooling) the tranny fluid.

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