Fuzzy magnet?

Posted By: 1E2C

Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 02:03 AM

Dropped the pan on the transmission in my 93 W250, no huge amount of deposits noted but the magnet at the bottom of the pan is loaded with small particles that kinda look fuzzy once disturbed. Yeah, I know it's because the particles are so small and obviously magnetically permeable, I'm just unsure if the amount is normal or not. The truck has ~ 120K on it, lots of use with a snowplow, so mild abuse at least; to my knowledge the trans has not been opened up before but don't know for sure. Trans is a 42RH/A518. Dropped the pan for a look-see since it's been whining very loudly and getting worse - sounded exactly like a hydraulic pump with no fluid to pump, so I was thinking possible clogged filter. Filter doesn't look great, but not as bad as I was expecting.
Thanks,
Mike

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Posted By: In_The_Pink

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 02:12 AM

I'd say that looks good/normal for the mileage and condition you describe. Wear on the steels is normal- it's chunks/chips of metal you don't want to see.

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 02:25 AM

There were a couple small chunks in the pan, didn't think to check them for being magnetic or not, may have to do so, but it was only 2 or maybe 3 small pieces I saw.
Mike

Posted By: challengermike

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 02:38 AM

If it has a whine i would think somethings coming apart.

Posted By: Bill MeLater

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 03:07 AM

Quote:

If it has a whine i would think somethings coming apart.

As long as the whining is coming from the right side it can simply be ignored....Uhmm...You are married ,right?

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 03:12 AM

Yeah, I'm married.......... good thing she doesn't read this board.

But, this truck is for working with that snowplow, so she doesn't get in it too often.
Nice idea though.

Posted By: Bill MeLater

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 03:19 AM

Sorry I can't offer real help, don't run any automatics myself. Did you try a Google search?I've had fair luck with similar problems.

Posted By: astrobuf

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/29/10 04:05 AM

Quote:

Yeah, I'm married.......... good thing she doesn't read this board.
But, this truck is for working with that snowplow, so she doesn't get in it too often.
Nice idea though.

Read it again, I think you missed the joke!

Whining coming from a tranny, (as opposed to the right seat) is due to a chipped or otherwise damaged gear tooth. Once it starts, it snowballs. I'd advise shopping for a replacement.

Astrobuf

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/30/10 01:47 AM

Yeah, actually I did get the joke and a good laugh when I read it. I was kinda trying to keep it playing by pointing out it's a work truck so she doesn't ride in it... Truth is, I had to share your response and my reply with her since I knew she'd find it funny also, was good for another round of laughs. (Took two tries to get a good one, but I'm gonna keep this one.)

Mike

Posted By: 4speeds4me

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/30/10 02:48 AM

And I was gonna say if you've got a whiney tranny in your truck maybe you should try a different dating website...obscure, in poor taste, but I couldn't help myself!

Posted By: Sixpak

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 11/30/10 01:58 PM

Do the bands ( if any adjustments on them...), change the fluid and filter and you should be good to go. Just make sure you put the correct fluid in it as Mopar got real picky about which fluid to use. I had plenty of Chrysler automatics whine a little when either low on fluid or needing a band adjustment. That little bit of wear you see with the magnet is nothing - don't sweat it at all. Just did a 32RH in a 96 van that would whine and slip a little when starting off on a hill. Band adjustment fixed it.

The page below (when it loads...) may have the specs you need...
http://arrc.epnet.com/autoapp/9107/9107CH07_ADJUSTMENTS.htm

Posted By: 383man

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/01/10 02:53 AM

90% of the time a trans whine its because the filter is restricted. Some dont even look that dirty but I find the filter is it most of the time. I have also had clogged coolers cause this. The whine is from the pump trying to suck the fluid in or pump it thru the cooler and converter. Once I had a pump cause a whine also. Ron

Posted By: challengermike

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/01/10 03:25 AM

whine can be caused by a few things,a bad torque converter,a bad pump,low on fluid, and If its when its moving it could be the plantaries.If the filter is pluged its because theres something coming apart.And thats alot of materal from something.Post pics of the magnet,it will be real easy to tell if the trans needs a rebuild.

Posted By: In_The_Pink

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/01/10 04:10 AM

Quote:

Post pics of the magnet

See the first/original post.

Posted By: challengermike

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/01/10 04:32 AM

Quote:

Quote:

Post pics of the magnet

See the first/original post.

OOPS,i read it yesterday and didnt reread it before i posted again,lol.Looks like a decent amount of metal on the magnet.some is normal but i think that looks to be more than normal.

Posted By: 383man

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/01/10 07:13 AM

With the milage you have on it thats normal. Of course you will have clutch material from the converter clutch and the tranny clutches in the filter that you cant really see from normal wear at 120k. I have seen this many times before. Change the filter and fluid and get another 30k out of it. I see tranny's look like that at 30k with just tiny particals that are normal. As long as its no bigger pieces then I would service it with a filter and let it go. Ron

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/02/10 03:44 AM

Yeah, think I'm just gonna set the bands as long as it's apart, clean it all up and bolt it back up. We'll see what happens next........ Oh, here's a shot of the filter, of course it's still draining, makes for a bit of a gradient look to the media.
Mike

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Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/02/10 03:57 AM

that's what I'd do, ch filter/fluid/adj bands/clean pan. Holler how it turns out. Filter looks bad, hope that takes care of it.

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/16/10 04:35 AM

Well, finally back together with new filter and bands adjusted per the FSM and took it to work today. It's still got a little bit of a whine on acceleration which is louder when it's cold, (was ~ 9 degrees when I left this AM), but quiets some after getting to operating temperature. Barely noticeable at steady cruising, so that's a significant improvement. It also seems to shift a bit smoother, so overall I'd say it was worth the effort.
Thanks for the input, all.
Mike

Posted By: 1E2C

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/16/10 04:46 AM

Just for gits-n-shiggles, this is the rig I've been cussing the most lately.....

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Posted By: challengermike

Re: Fuzzy magnet? - 12/17/10 12:43 AM

Thats what i would of expected the responce to be.Bands will help the shift if they are loose but dont cause any noise.I would bet if you drop the pan in alittle while it will have metal again.