blwnsmke

I noticed the trans going into gear a little different. So I pulled the dipstick. Its pinky milky!!! Which cooler busted? The one up front is air cooler right? Is it the one on the side of the motor??? Anyway to just do away with that and bypass it or should I put a new cooler on it? How often do these fail? I got 102,000 miles on the truck. Let me know asap!! How much is a new cooler?

madhat

Are you sure that it's the cooler?

When was the last time that you were in water over the tranny pan? I have seen when someone is offroading or in deep water, their cases might fill with a little water.

As for the coolers... I don't know...

06RAM2500

Cooler is all on it's own.

blwnsmke

I think the heat exchanger on the side of the drivers side engine block went out.. It ties into the cooling system and the trans lines hook into it also.. Is that possible for it to go out and mix with the trans fluid? Thats the only thing that is really possible. Im glad I caught it when I did and didn't drive around for a long period with it.. The trans started slamming into gear when I put it in drive so I checked it out and the fluid was milky. How much is a heat exchanger? Anyone know?

chrleb1

It is very possible for that to happen. Not sure on the price of them, but you might be able to find one off ebay.

blwnsmke

I looked and couldn't find one. Going to pull the cooler tomorrow and check it out. Man this sucks! Im just glad i caught it right away and didn't mess my EXPENSIVE trans up

no_6_oh_no

Ummm, if you have coolant in your trans it is messed up. If you do not tear it down and completely clean it out you will be rebuilding it. Right now you can probably get away with just a good cleaning and a few seals. You run it until it blows and you will be replacing more than that.

greg_bingham

explain why this would be the case, i'd think that if the unit had the oil flushed, and it was good and emulsified IE no standing water in unit he'd be okay...

how would milked trans oil kill seals?

greg

no_6_oh_no

Water is not the problem, the antifreeze is. It reacts with the additives and creates a hostile mix for seals and clutches. Coolant mixed with oil will create a sludge that is impossible to remove without fully dissassembling and boiling the parts in cleaner. It plugs passages and creates agrit that will etch even metal parts.

Coolant in the trans or engine is bad, bad, news.

greg_bingham

ah....

that sucks... the clutches and their friends have a hard enough time as it is...

greg

blwnsmke

You dont think Ill be ok putting it on the machine and having it power flushed? My trans builder said for me to do that and Ill be fine.. Ahhh this sucks! Im not driving the truck. I pulled the pan. I am 100% positive I caught it right after it blew. Im going to have it flushed by that machine probably 2 times just to be safe..

vzdude

There was a recall on those trucks for the trans cooler!!!!!

Dealer Service Instructions for:
Customer Satisfaction Notification No. C44
Transmission Cooler Line
2003-2004 (DR) Dodge Ram Pick-Up Trucks
NOTE: This notification applies only to the above vehicles equipped with a 5.9L
Cummins diesel engine (Sales Code ETC or ETH) and an automatic transmission
(Sales Code DG8 or DGP) built through November 24, 2003 (MDH 112407).
The transmission cooler line on about 97,000 of the above vehicles can transmit
high pressure pulses when the vehicle is operated at heavy loads. These pulses
may cause the engine-mounted transmission cooler to crack and leak fluid which
could result in significant transmission damage.
The transmission cooler line must be replaced on all involved vehicles. In
addition, the engine-mounted transmission cooler must be inspected and replaced if
necessary.
Models
IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer vehicle inventory.
Dealers should complete this repair on these vehicles before retail delivery.
Dealers should also perform this repair on vehicles in for service. Involved
vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.
Subject
Repair

04DEEZELRAM

I told you not to go through that pond....haha jk!!!

no_6_oh_no

I would get that in writing and a statement about the warranty also.

Your truck and your choice. T'was me it would be pulled, torn down and thoroghly cleaned, and a seal kit before I trusted it. Had several of them do the same thing on gassers and the trans never lasted 2k after the flushing. Irregardless of what your guy says my experiences tell me otherwise.

You have my sympathy. Its never fun to get something fixed right and have to do it again.

blwnsmke

Its under a recall. I called my dealership. I already have the cooler off though. Anyone think I can get the cooler for free and just install it myself since its a recall?