Tranny Problems???

[TX250]

I just bought a 6.0 w/ 38,000 miles, drove it for three days problem free and then pulled my boat down to the coast for the first time. Every time I went over an overpass my truck would "shrug" or "skip" briefly. I was pulling a very light weight tandem axle trailer. The problem occured when I was driving 65-70mph and happened with tow-haul on and off. I have the automatic torqshaft 6.0 2004 crew FX4. I hope I didn't buy a lemon. Any thoughts???

[mschn99]

dont jump to conclusions, the "skip" could have come from the motor too, which would be still under powertrain warranty. we have seen very few problems with the torqueshift trannies.......have it checked for codes......dealer may be able to fix it under warranty if it is engine/fuel system related.

[TX250]

Thanks for the quick response. I felt comfortabe buying this truck used as I have loved my wife's 7.3 excursion. I have been worried sick since my trip down to the coast. What are the other possibilities??

[mschn99]

almost sounds to me like it could be fuel related.....possible injector, fuel filter that has not been changed (there are two on your truck).......something along those lines. tough to spectualte for sure without having the truck right in front of me, but i would definately change those fuel filters and see if that makes any difference. at least that way you know where you are on your maintanence also.

[Rodslinger]

Welcome TX250! I wouldn't worry about the whole lemon issue because you said it happens on every overpass therefore it has to be the overpass's causing the problem. Avoid them and it'll be fine.
OK bad attempt at humor. You're still within the powertrain warranty which covers both engine and tranny, if it keeps up I'd take it in and have it checked out.
What part of Texas are you in?

[mschn99]

rod, the powertrain warranty does not cover the trans, the trans is only warrantied during the 3/36 bumper to bumper unless you buy an extended coverage plan

[TX250]

Rodslinger, mschn99,

Thank you both for the replies. I have driven the truck for the last three days, with out trailer, and have not experienced the problem again. I checked the fluid levels and topped it off with Lucas earlier today and have already noticed a smoother shift. I have only had this truck for a week now and will be changing all fluids and filters as soon as I can. What should I expect when changing the tourqshift filter? That one is new to me. Will I loose fluid when I change it? The fuel filters shouldn't be a problem. Any suggestions as to brand and synthetic vs. standard tran oil?

Rodslinger...I live in San Antonio but grew up just west of where you live.

mschn99...Love the old red truck. My old man used to have a one that was about as old and was the same color. A director actually used it in a movie and there was a love scene filmed in the truck with Ashley Judd.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by TX250

Rodslinger, mschn99,

Thank you both for the replies. I have driven the truck for the last three days, with out trailer, and have not experienced the problem again. I checked the fluid levels and topped it off with Lucas earlier today and have already noticed a smoother shift. I have only had this truck for a week now and will be changing all fluids and filters as soon as I can. What should I expect when changing the tourqshift filter? That one is new to me. Will I loose fluid when I change it? The fuel filters shouldn't be a problem. Any suggestions as to brand and synthetic vs. standard tran oil?

Rodslinger...I live in San Antonio but grew up just west of where you live.

mschn99...Love the old red truck. My old man used to have a one that was about as old and was the same color. A director actually used it in a movie and there was a love scene filmed in the truck with Ashley Judd.

you need to get mercon SP fluid, which is already a synthetic. that is the fluid ford used from the factory. this still requires 30,000 mile service intervals. there is two filters on a torqueshift. one in the pan like a standard trans, and one on the front passanger framerail just behind the bumper. this one is a "spinn off" style filter, it takes a 7/8 socket to take the cap off, and they almost feel like you are going to break it before it unscrews, but they do come off. the filter in the spin off looks like a small roll of toilet paper and is critical to the trans filtration. there are two fuel filters on the vehicle, one on the drivers side frame rail, just in front of the tranny cross member, which requires a 36mm socket to take the cap off of, and one next to the oil filter housing that can be taken off with either a half inch extention(square) or a 7/8 socket. the oil filter housing also requires the 36mm socket, which is available from sears for under ten bucks. hope this helps, and dont use anything but mercon SP in that trans, no matter what anyone esle tells you, there are special additives in that fluid your trans requires due to its filtration proccess and also its overall function.

[Rodslinger]

Originally Posted by mschn99

rod, the powertrain warranty does not cover the trans, the trans is only warrantied during the 3/36 bumper to bumper unless you buy an extended coverage plan

Lying SOB's........imagine the dealer lying to me - and all the research I did on the truck before I bought it I never bothered checking that bit of info. Over 20K and she's still rock solid so oh well.
Thanks!