Shifting issues after flush

[greyphox]

I recently did a tranny flush as well as a filter replacement. Initial test drive everything was fine. After i drove back to school (about 80 miles) i noticed that the tranny was hesitating to engage when i went from reverse to drive. When i back up and then put it in drive, it goes into neutral until i hit the gas, and it does a hard shift going into gear at about 1.5 - 2k RPM. Going from park to drive its fine.
Fluid used was Amsoil ATF
Original Trans w/ 152k
4x4 5r55e Tranny

Any ideas on what this might be? :scratch:
Thanks in advance

 

[IZwack]

Check the fluid level - sounds like its low on fluid. Also check for leaks, when I brought mine to the shop to get the ATF changed, they forgot to tighten the hose clamp on the fluid cooler and it was slowly leaking fluid.

 

[greyphox]

No leaks. And i checked fluid level after driving several highway miles. Let it sit in park running for a min, checked it twice, both times fluid was about 3/4 the way up the crosshatched area. Also, this only happens on a cold start. If i go to the store or something and the tranny warms up, she shifts fine the next time i go to reverse/drive again. Any other ideas? Is is possible its too full perhaps?

 

[greyphox]

Any ideas?

 

[IZwack]

Its probably the fluid used.. I know people are going to chime in and say Amsoil this Amsoil that but I would have stuck with the original MercV

 

[Glacier991]

I'd add 1/2 quart of fluid and see if that helps.

 

[96eb96]

I recently did a tranny flush as well as a filter replacement. Initial test drive everything was fine. After i drove back to school (about 80 miles) i noticed that the tranny was hesitating to engage when i went from reverse to drive. When i back up and then put it in drive, it goes into neutral until i hit the gas, and it does a hard shift going into gear at about 1.5 - 2k RPM. Going from park to drive its fine.
Fluid used was Amsoil ATF
Original Trans w/ 152k
4x4 5r55e Tranny

Any ideas on what this might be? :scratch:
Thanks in advance

I have to ask: Did you put the rubber orings on the filter? Was the filter tight?

Other than that I agree with the posters here about adding a bit more fluid. These trans are VERY sensitive to fluid level with any delayed engagement issue. Especially if you aren't on a level surface.

 

[greyphox]

Yes i made sure that the filter was in there good.

One thing i noticed on the old filter is that the gasket that goes around the pan had these little metal spacers in it, which i found rather odd. The new one was just a regular one. Although I doubt that has anything to do with it since there are no leaks or anything.

I'll try adding some fluid this week when its not freezing and the wind blowing 30+ mph.

 

[2doorsplor]

i always hear about problems after people flush the trany if it hasnt been properly maintaind and flushed at regular intravuls. somehting about loosing the metal fillings that have been lubricating the gears for a while makes the tranny act funny. you may need a rebuild.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto... Flushes always seem to create more problems than they solve. About 4 out of 5 people here that use a flush seem to have problems afterwards.

Change the fluid and filter regularly and it should last a good long time.

-Joe

 

[96eb96]

What kind of tranny flush did you do on the vehicle? Was it the fluid exchange thru the cooler or the BG where they use a chemical? If they used any chemicals there is a good chance it is toast. Was the filter changed before or after the flush? What brand of filter did you use? There could be one last hope that the flush clogged your new filter and you could try a new filter and hope for the best. Delayed engagement on these things usually is fluid starvation, due to a low fluid level, clogged or loose filter, barring any internal sealing or leaking issues.

A local independent trans shop here won't flush a customers transmission for any money. Only a pan drop and filter change with Merc V for Ford units. If the fluid is really dirty they will repeat the fluid and filter change at 5000 miles. If you ask for anything else they tell you to go elsewhere and hand you card to call for a tow to their shop when you need a rebuild.

They have 3 valve bodies on their desk from what happened shortly after BG chemical flushes on older non maintained trans. It is not pretty.

 

[Vinniety]

i always hear about problems after people flush the trany if it hasnt been properly maintaind and flushed at regular intravuls. somehting about loosing the metal fillings that have been lubricating the gears for a while makes the tranny act funny. you may need a rebuild.

2doorsplor - you are correct. I used to do mechanic work when i was in school just to make some extra cash and there has been a few times where people would want a FULL flush and we didnt have the machine to do it. We have told them that we wouldnt recommend it but if you want go to SO and SO who ever it was at that time doing the full flushes and get it done. Maybe a month later we would have one person return complainning about not shifting right. Especially the people that buy a car or truck with about 150,000 miles and say well the previous owner said he always did a tranny fluid change but no receipt to prove it.

Listen to the others and put in a little bit more fluid and see how it goes. If that doesnt work make sure the filter is correct and not starving the tranny of fluid. Basically do another tranny service and cross your fingers, but be prepared for the worst.

keep us posted.

good luck!

 

[greyphox]

I did the flush through the cooler, adding fluid as it came out, using the engine to pump it. No other chemicals used. I did the flush and THEN changed the filter as to not prematurely foul it. I don't remember the brand of filter used; whatever Auto Zone had in stock. The filter is the 4x4 version with the extended pickup, so that is not the issue.

I added about 1/2 quart to it and it seems to be doing a little better, but it still has the occasional hesitation, albeit not as bad now. So should I add the remainder of the quart, even though when i checked the fluid before adding 1/2 qt. it was about 3/4 up the crosshatch?

Also, does anyone know why this would only happen on a cold startup, and only when engaging 1st? All other gears shift and engage smoothly just like before the flush, and there is no hesitation once it has been driven for a short distance, like it had something to do with fluid temperature.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[BrooklynBay]

A temperature related problem could be the result of a bad valve body gasket. Since it's a delayed 1st gear, does it also delay in reverse? Did you check the torque of the valve body bolts when you replaced the filter? Did you see any fragments of gasket in the fluid?