68RFE Temps of 205 and Black in Fluid. Grateful for any Transmission Advice
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Monmouth, Oregon
68RFE Temps of 205 and Black in Fluid. Grateful for any Transmission Advice
Question: Will just a flush and filter suffice or should I seek more in-depth diagnosis?
Halfway through 3k road-trip. 2016 Ram 3500 Cumins with 68fre Towing 8,500lb Airstream pand using about two thirds of my payload.
Just towed through Mohave from Vegas to Big Bear and took the stupid route up Hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley. I had been monitoring temps carefully the whole trip and did have a previous mountain tow into The Springs Mountains (Las Vegas) with sustained 180s.
Today, Trans temperatures sustained in the 190s for several miles and peaked at 205 for about 10min. Once past the hairpin switchbacks, I was able to use 4-Low and bring the temps back into the 180s and then about 7 miles back to comfortable 170s.
Fluid is now slightly burnt, still pink, with plenty of black streaks, I am assuming clutch material from past experience. Could be Torque Converter damage too (I have eaten a couple 518s and TCs in my First Gen) When I left home it was still bright pink and sweet.
Truck now has almost 101k on the odometer.
We are in Big Bear for the next two days. Under no circumstances am I going to do nothing, but will just a full service with a flush and filter suffice or should I seek a more in-depth repair and have a full inspection?
Thank you for your input it will help decide if I head for Jiffy Lube or an actual trans shop/dealer. Not risking being broke down in a desert during a heat wave.
PS. I will use Hwy 38 out of Big Bear and into Anaheim when leaving. 18 is unadvised.
Halfway through 3k road-trip. 2016 Ram 3500 Cumins with 68fre Towing 8,500lb Airstream pand using about two thirds of my payload.
Just towed through Mohave from Vegas to Big Bear and took the stupid route up Hwy 18 from Lucerne Valley. I had been monitoring temps carefully the whole trip and did have a previous mountain tow into The Springs Mountains (Las Vegas) with sustained 180s.
Today, Trans temperatures sustained in the 190s for several miles and peaked at 205 for about 10min. Once past the hairpin switchbacks, I was able to use 4-Low and bring the temps back into the 180s and then about 7 miles back to comfortable 170s.
Fluid is now slightly burnt, still pink, with plenty of black streaks, I am assuming clutch material from past experience. Could be Torque Converter damage too (I have eaten a couple 518s and TCs in my First Gen) When I left home it was still bright pink and sweet.
Truck now has almost 101k on the odometer.
We are in Big Bear for the next two days. Under no circumstances am I going to do nothing, but will just a full service with a flush and filter suffice or should I seek a more in-depth repair and have a full inspection?
Thank you for your input it will help decide if I head for Jiffy Lube or an actual trans shop/dealer. Not risking being broke down in a desert during a heat wave.
PS. I will use Hwy 38 out of Big Bear and into Anaheim when leaving. 18 is unadvised.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 416
Likes: 7
From: Monmouth, Oregon
Update: Had the trans rebuilt and a new torque converter thrown in too. The torque converter was failing on mine.
Inglewood Transmission handled the project superbly and 2000k miles later we are home.
Inglewood Transmission handled the project superbly and 2000k miles later we are home.
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