Ouch, discusted AT toasted

[Brickhouse]

Hello everyone, I'm new here, and have a fun one. (Well, not so much).

A bit of a back story, I got a 01 F550 about two years ago. At time I got it, I had it fully services to include trans service. Well, I got into a head on with it last year. About 8 months from getting it. It sat for about two months before shop got approval to start working on it. Trans oil cooler destroyed, and lost 3qts. Got rig back just over a year after hit. Had for about two months now. Odd trans problems to include slippage, inoperable, conditions started last Friday, and the conditions were all over the place. No steady same problem. We ran for codes and all, and if needed, I will post them, but after reviewing receipts and other documents from the rebuild, the shop installed a new states "aftermarket OEM" cooler. No mention of new lines, flush, drain, etc. But they did sent to another shop for trans slippage back in March. That shop did not run codes, just added 3qts after seeing fluid level was low. This secondary shop stated runs fine, checks good.

Stopped at a trans shop I know, and we pulled pan and filter yesterday. WOW. Clutch, metal, gummy mess possibly dirt, and possibly water, and could be anything like bondo dust for all I know. The shop also pressure washed the area very hard, with the destroyed cooler open, before even bringing it into the shop from outside compound.

Just got a hold of Blackstone and asked for an expedited kit for analysis.

I would like to have two independent analysis reports, maybe three if I have enough sample material collected. Who would be another lab you would recommend for this type of analysis and contaminant reporting?

Lastly, I know this question is a hard one, and can never be exact, but as a speculation, approx how many miles could a 4R100HD run before catastrophic failure (500miles, 1k, 2k, 5k)?

Thanks.

 

[c3po]

As far as catastrophic failure, it depends how hot the fluid got. Sounds like you have a loose transmission line somewhere, or maybe a kink in the line .

 

[Brickhouse]

I will look for any kinks in the lines when I get home. Good idea. No leaks. As for catastrophic failure, I didn't mean the fluid, I meant the transmission mechanically, I was meaning running with dirt and water contaminants in the fluid.

 

[c3po]

Brickhouse, do you have an infrared gun, you basically aim it anywhere on your car and it will tell you the temperature.

How bad was this head on crash if you do not mind me asking.

Did you retune the computer, since I see you wrote AIH mods. You have 4.88 gears and a Gear Vendors Overdrive underdrive setup. I am thinking you must have reprogrammed the computer.

Did you see dirt or water in your transmission fluid. I do not know about running with dirt or water in your transmission as to how this may shorten the life of the transmission, but I am sure it will not extend it.

 

[c3po]

Brickhouse, was your vehicle sitting outside for 2 months and then they did work on it, you said trans cooler was destroyed. I am thinking maybe from sitting out that:

1) Moisture
2) Dirt

These things may have gotten in from sitting out in the weather, was your truck close to being totalled.

 

[Brickhouse]

I have guages, with trans temp. Didn't git hot, or even to warm. Maybe around 120 when I twoed a car back from Az.

Yes, PCM, ICM, banks chip reprogrammed. Everything seemed to be great. But trans has thick muck and is disfuctional. Fluid is red when let set overnight so it seperates.

Dirt / water. With all the clutch material, it's hard to make out is sand/dirt is there. I wan't an analyses report that can break down the cantaminents. Hence asking for other companies other than Blackstone.


The hit was BAD. two large live stock and anouther clipped. 28k damage. Long story, but if on side of road and you want to warn trafic, please don;t use high beams. If I was in a smaller vehical, I wouldn't be here. Sometime with insurance would have totaled it, but it's, well almost, back to normal.

My work computer will not show these photos, so not sure if they will post right. but here's two.


Brickhouse429

brickhouse429

 

[c3po]

If you were in a smaller vehicle then you definetly would not be here.

I have an 04 Mercury Marauder and everything I have read on the message boards about retuning your computer is that you may have problems with your transmission since it works in conjunction with the computer.

I would call up whoever gave you that chip, the problem may or may not be the chip, that was such a hard hit that you took, maybe you broke the chip. I saw the pictures, this truck needs to be looked at again.

I am thinking lose wire or connection, or maybe something was not put back together right.

I am thinking those 2 large livestock weighed more than your truck.

 

[c3po]

Sometimes when a trans service is done they do not drop the pan, if you got a trans flush they may not have dropped the transmission pan.

Look through your old receipts to see if they put a new trans filter in, this is just a thought.

 

[Brickhouse]

Originally Posted By: c3po
I have an 04 Mercury Marauder and everything I have read on the message boards about retuning your computer is that you may have problems with your transmission since it works in conjunction with the computer.



The banks chip is not that type. They have a seperate modual for the transmission, the Trans Command. Seperate unit near trans. Only turns on when the tow/haul mode is on, and basically ups pressure and TC settings (if I recall correctly).

Some mentioned the gearvenders, well I talked to them too, thier unit is also passive. Two wires into harness, one so unit turns off (or not on) when truck goes below a certin speed (speed sensor), other is so GV isn't on when trans is in OD.

Originally Posted By: c3po
Look through your old receipts to see if they put a new trans filter in, this is just a thought.


Good idea, will check the papers.

 

[Steelhead]

front tranny shaft driven back into clutch packs by impact
transmission should have been replaced at minimum.
any frame damage. how does it drive and handle?
rig really should have been totaled.

damage would have been worse if you had been towing

sounds like a low ball body repair shop insurance job. cheaper is not always better

 

[Steve S]

Look up Brians truck shop for trans info.

 

[Brickhouse]

Yep. I will investigate the clutch impact.

No frame damage. They were just over the front bumper. The one that went on the rig rolled up and over. Front of engine had some miner damage like pulley's bent, water pump and fan crushed, A/C system damaged, batteries were still giving juice and not broken, but battery pans pushed up and over wheel wells. Hood crinkled horizontally into windshield (with animal). Above windshield sun shade, not a mark. Doors all aligned and work good. (minus drivers side fender pushed into drivers door made crease). Second animal was hit by first, knocked sideways, then bumper hit, and sent it down the road. Passengers front fender clipped 3rd in the rear. Wasn't a hart hit, but enough that it needed to be put down.

There was only one insurance approved shop, and being rig is so big, they said they couldn't handle it or have it in the shop. Second shop I used before, but did not know one of the owners left. Current one, his wife went into second bought with cancer, and his mind wasn't on the ball all year. His shop walked all over him. by the time my rig was "almost" done, most if not all the good workers quit.

now I'm in a rut. If I can get these samples analyzed and it proves negligence, I can bypass the shop, right to insurance.

Yes, I feel do to how long the repair was going to take, and the est. cost, they should have totaled it. But they valued it at 40K and it didn't reach the 80% mark. By the time all this trans and stuff is finish, I would think it WILL go past the applicable mark. now it's toooo late. They have to fix.

 

[Brickhouse]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Look up Brians truck shop for trans info.


Yep, a custom BTS is what I'm going to go for, or John Wood. But have to get insurance backing for at least a 4R100HD rebuild value to cut cost.

I have one of my 71 mustang's coming to a head at other shop, and that bill is going to hurt. Right now, I can't handle both at same time. My mustang shop said he will work with me if need be, but I've known them for 10 years, and I know his shop needs the cash these days. I keep business and friend ships apart. best and only way.

Last ditch, I will loan myself from my 401k. it's doing nothing but going down anyways these days......

 

[Brickhouse]

Well, this is off subject, but here's what it looks like today. So big change.

Current pic

 

[Steve S]

Good luck,,, it would be great to have part of the trans paid for by the insurance company, and what an upgrade over a stocker.

 

[benjamming]

Originally Posted By: Brickhouse
[snip] Hence asking for other companies other than Blackstone.


Dyson Analysis is the best place for an interpretation with more data to boot.

 

[Brickhouse]

Dyson Analysis is the best place for an interpretation with more data to boot. [/quote]

Thanks, I will get in touch with them.

 

[99]

There's only a couple of ways that crud got into your trans..........either from a external opening or from internal failure.

 

[VK56VD]

Very attractive truck. Good luck with the transmission.

I've recently drove a new '08 Chevy 2500HD with the Duramax and Allison combo. The thing felt like it could pull anything. I love the Diesel powered P/U's especially for their tuning capability.