Rjf95

Hello all,
I seem to have developed a problem all the sudden with my 1993 d250 Cummins automatic and am looking for advice and opinions.
Yesterday I went to back out of the driveway when the truck quickly started to lose the ability to move. The engine revs freely but the transmission slowed down to a crawl. I tried to pull back in the driveway but the truck would not move in any gear or reverse. I had to leave quickly so I was unable to mess with it further at that time. When I got back home I started the truck and checked the trans fluid in neutral. The fluid appeared red and did not smell. I tried to move the truck and had the same problem again. I checked the fluid again and it was very foamy. I do not see any visible leaks under the hood or truck, driveshaft is in place, and the truck rolls freely in neutral. Is it possible my transmission failed without any warning and very suddenly? Anything else I should check?
Oddly, I changed the oil, fuel filter, and valve gaskets while the truck was parked. I can’t imagine this has anything to do with it but figured I would mention it.
My trans has already been rebuilt twice so if it really has failed I am going to just manual swap it… but I was really needing the truck on a job site soon so bad timing.
Thank You

oliver foster

Is it making a decent amount of noise?
Like maybe the flex plate has ripped out the center?.

Rjf95

There is a very faint noise when the rpm’s get to about 1600. Sort of a whine. No major grinding or anything like that.

oliver foster

Does the truck free roll in gear?

Rjf95

I just went out to check. The truck rolls freely in gear but stays put in park.

dguru

It is odd to lose everything at once. Mr Foster may have a good point. Have you been messing with the TV cable? I would add some fluid. The Torque Flight has issues with fluid levels and foaming that fool you into thinking its full of fluid when it is foam taking space. I always check in drive warm with park brake applied.

Rjf95

I pretty embarrassed to report I have found the problem. The fluid was foaming up and giving a false reading. I put the truck in drive as you suggested and found it was low. All in I ended up adding 6 quarts to the trans and it popped into gear and took off. I did not know these were so finicky with how to check the fluid level.
thank you to all.

oliver foster

Glad you got it fixed cheaply and easily.

A gallon and 1/2 low on ATF is pretty low.

dguru

Foaming is why I don't use recommended fluid. It foams way too much! If you put it in the power steering your truck will be all over the place because of foam. It is a well known problem.

This is why I only use Hy-gard equivalent "TDH" oil for tractors. Works better than OEM and is very grippy. Plus provides much better protection than other fluids.