I have a late model 03 with Automatic (48RE I think). Well, I bought a filter kit from Genos when I had about 30k and have had it sitting in its box for a couple of years. I now have 85k on the truck and have never changed fluid or filter . I now notice that from a stop and especially when towing, the engine revs high and the truck barely moves. However, once I am moving, I have no problems on the highway or passing. I'm hoping that a flush will do it.

My question for the group is should I go to the dealer or an independent shop. If I have a warranty problem, will DC not honor the warranty since I have not changed the fluid and filter for 85k.

All deep thoughts and sage advice appreciated.

Guy L

 

85K miles and NEVER changed the fluid???? YIKES!!!

As for warranty, your tranny warranty ran out at 70K miles...so you don't have to worry about transmission warranty with D-C.

As for the tranns, the fluid is probably the consistancy of jelly....and burned up.

You can try a flush, but I would probably be getting ready to drop a new tranny in.

As for taking to a shop, it doesn't really matter, as along as they are trust worth shop, preferrable a transmission shop. But a flush is only part of the job, they need to drop the pan and get the old filter out of there, it probably plugged up with clutch material from it slipping.

Just out of curiosity, do you tow??? and how heavy????

I hope the best for you......and the tranny.

 

Actually, the fluid looks fine and dosen't smell burned. I have the 100k extended warranty. I'll tow a tractor, 16 ft. trailer (dirt) or 32 ft trailer (hay)

 

Sounds like its not starting off in low(first gear)try manualy pulling it all way down to low manually and see if it starts out ok.May have a solonoid in the valve body thats failed not allowing it to downshift to 1st.Got friends that have run them 90k plus before first flush! In fact never changed a fliud in the drivetrain until 90k plus towing 90% of the time.Fliuds looked ok! I was shocked but both those trucks now have 150Plus on them with no failure other then a pinion seal.