T-converter slipping? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Nevada Ben · 05-13-2011, 11:45 AM

I was driving up a steep hill (close to 100% grade) on rock and compacted dirt at low speed. My '98 Disco 1 with 4.0/auto stopped making progress on the hill. The engine was spinning but the wheels weren't turning. The center differential was in locked position, transfercase in low. I pressed the accelerator down more but I could not get forward progress or even wheel slippage. What's going on? It seems like it has to be the torque converter slipping. I did the hill with a higher speed approach but it worries me. It's bad enough I can't skid down a hill with the ABS, but roll down faster than I'd like -- now I can't get up a hill and might end up rolling down backwards!

Do I need a new torque converter? Any help appreciated.

R_Lefebvre · 05-13-2011, 12:19 PM

Could also be clutches in the trans not holding. Either way, have a look at your fluid.

Nevada Ben · 05-13-2011, 12:38 PM

Yeah, that could be it because I just changed the fluid (quick drain and fill way). I wonder if it doesn't like the new fluid I used.

BigBlueToy · 05-13-2011, 12:57 PM

Not enough transmission particles in the new fluid, all that clutch material and metallic dust float in the fluid was what kept it functional.

Nevada Ben · 05-13-2011, 02:34 PM

Seriously? Is that like the protective coating that seems to keep my dog functional too?

Yeah, so I checked it and it was about 6 oz overfilled but I corrected that. The new fluid is Castrol Transynd which I buy for my Allison. It should be backward compatible with Dexron IV and III. I guess I'll give it a little time and see if it works itself out.

PTSchram · 05-14-2011, 06:03 AM

How many miles on this truck?

There are many husbands of old wives who tell tales of autoboxes failing shortly after having had the old fluid flushed out. The theory is that the friction material that was suspended in the oil was what was making the transmission work.

Flush that stuff out and it don't go no more.

Then again, you used something other than Dexron and I'm not sure that was something I would have done.

Nevada Ben · 05-14-2011, 10:14 PM

111,000 on this Land Rover. According to Carfax, the transmission was replaced under warranty at 39K (three owners ago), so there's about 81k on the transmission.

It seems to be working ok at this point. I tried another steep grade today but lost traction on loose rock. At least it was spinning the wheels fore and aft. I need to test some more.

05-13-2011, 11:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nevada Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Member # 190223 Posts: 226	T-converter slipping? I was driving up a steep hill (close to 100% grade) on rock and compacted dirt at low speed. My '98 Disco 1 with 4.0/auto stopped making progress on the hill. The engine was spinning but the wheels weren't turning. The center differential was in locked position, transfercase in low. I pressed the accelerator down more but I could not get forward progress or even wheel slippage. What's going on? It seems like it has to be the torque converter slipping. I did the hill with a higher speed approach but it worries me. It's bad enough I can't skid down a hill with the ABS, but roll down faster than I'd like -- now I can't get up a hill and might end up rolling down backwards! Do I need a new torque converter? Any help appreciated. Last edited by Nevada Ben; 05-13-2011 at 11:52 AM.

05-14-2011, 06:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
PTSchram Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Member # 12499 Location: In a Snap-On truck tryin' to make it pay Posts: 10,560	How many miles on this truck? There are many husbands of old wives who tell tales of autoboxes failing shortly after having had the old fluid flushed out. The theory is that the friction material that was suspended in the oil was what was making the transmission work. Flush that stuff out and it don't go no more. Then again, you used something other than Dexron and I'm not sure that was something I would have done. __________________ Wrenchin' to riches! If you want peace, prepare for war.

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05-13-2011, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
R_Lefebvre Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Member # 169188 Posts: 80	Could also be clutches in the trans not holding. Either way, have a look at your fluid.

05-13-2011, 12:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nevada Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Member # 190223 Posts: 226	Yeah, that could be it because I just changed the fluid (quick drain and fill way). I wonder if it doesn't like the new fluid I used.

05-13-2011, 12:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigBlueToy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Member # 88052 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,116	Not enough transmission particles in the new fluid, all that clutch material and metallic dust float in the fluid was what kept it functional.

05-13-2011, 02:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Nevada Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Member # 190223 Posts: 226	Seriously? Is that like the protective coating that seems to keep my dog functional too? Yeah, so I checked it and it was about 6 oz overfilled but I corrected that. The new fluid is Castrol Transynd which I buy for my Allison. It should be backward compatible with Dexron IV and III. I guess I'll give it a little time and see if it works itself out.

05-14-2011, 10:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nevada Ben Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Member # 190223 Posts: 226	111,000 on this Land Rover. According to Carfax, the transmission was replaced under warranty at 39K (three owners ago), so there's about 81k on the transmission. It seems to be working ok at this point. I tried another steep grade today but lost traction on loose rock. At least it was spinning the wheels fore and aft. I need to test some more.