I finished a trip from Kansas to South Carolina to Florida back to Kansas with my 12K 5er in tow. Just prior to the trip, I did a normal maintenance item of changing the spin-on filter and the fluid was pretty bright red, at least for 4 years and 40K miles of driving since my complete switch over to TES-295 fluid. On my return, I did an oil change then looked at the trans fluid level and noticed it it was no longer the nice bright red it had been before the trip.
During the trip, there were a few situations where it seemed that the engine would speed up, say 200 rpm, then slow down without changing gears, which I interpreted as the torque converter unlocking and then locking again. I don't recall for sure but don't think I had tow haul engaged when this happened. The engine speed changes happened only on uphill pulls, not steep as 6% but maybe 3% or 4% grade. No engine or trans over heating happened. Truck uses a 30 HP tow tune and a PPE trans cooler.
The change in color of the trans fluid over the 4000 mile trip indicates a problem, although the trans seems to be normal in every way (exception pulling 5th wheel noted) . Is it more likely a torque converter problem or slipping clutches or ?? Is there is diagnostic way to make a determination, such as with a Tech 2 or a proprietary Allison tool?
During the trip, there were a few situations where it seemed that the engine would speed up, say 200 rpm, then slow down without changing gears, which I interpreted as the torque converter unlocking and then locking again. I don't recall for sure but don't think I had tow haul engaged when this happened. The engine speed changes happened only on uphill pulls, not steep as 6% but maybe 3% or 4% grade. No engine or trans over heating happened. Truck uses a 30 HP tow tune and a PPE trans cooler.
The change in color of the trans fluid over the 4000 mile trip indicates a problem, although the trans seems to be normal in every way (exception pulling 5th wheel noted) . Is it more likely a torque converter problem or slipping clutches or ?? Is there is diagnostic way to make a determination, such as with a Tech 2 or a proprietary Allison tool?
