16 replies to this topic

[dakota1820]

So my buddy has a 97 ram 318 2wd auto. Once k. Awhile while cold and cold out side like freezing he will jump in and take off right away and on the hill by his house when taking off it'll Rev and not go for a couple seconds after she has been running for a minute or two it wont do it . Its running bg tranny fluid which we thought may ne the issue. Fluid looks good if you shift it from park to any gear it'll grab right away know delay. It also shifts great while driving . Any help is appreciated thanks guys

[ImperialCrown]

If the transmission slips on an incline but is OK on level ground, recheck the fluid level. Low fluid or a loose/wrong filter will allow the pump to suck air instead of fluid.
Cold ATF will be lower on the dipstick than warm ATF.

[dakota1820]

We checked the fluid and it was good. I'm not sure about the filter. Once the truck has ran for a minute or 2 it wont do it .

[440_D50]

Sounds like cold tranny fluid issue to me. It's not good on any tranny or engine to just jump in and run cold, especially on a cold day. Dodges need to be in neutral for the pump to run while idling in the morning.

[Bob Lincoln]

Which is why I start in Park, and then shift to Neutral right away while I set the other controls.

[dakota1820]

Its running bg fluid if that means anything

[dakota1820]

A local tranny shop told me it was either hard seals or the check valve

[dana44]

It may be the fluid, but as long as she shifts fine once she is running a couple minutes it should be OK. Dropping it into neutral to get the fluid flowing/pumping when it is cold sounds like a good thing to do, the old 727s and 904s were always good for no pressure after they sat overnight, but were fine otherwise, but the cold weather may be a big factor, too.

[dakota1820]

Should I buy a truck like this for 1800 or is it to risky?

[dana44]

Depends on the condition of the rest of the truck, and whether or not the cost to replace the transmission would still be a good deal if it does fail in say, 12 months. Another thing to consider is the number of miles the truck has, less than 150Kish would be good for another 50-100K before timing chain and a few other little items, but again, it depends on you, not me.

[dakota1820]

Rest of the truck is typical. Some dents dings. Needs a pitman arm. Tires tune up. Headliner is coming down seat has a tear and cracked dash. Has 186k mechanically has been maintained. He said he would take 1800

[dana44]

Sounds pretty typical of a good truck, but I can't tell you to purchase it, do some online comparisons with a few places for work trucks. Timing chain will be the first thing to go, somewhere around 235K, just so you know.

[dakota1820]

What makes you think the timing chain will go? Would you worry with the transmission issue I talked about ?could the bg fluid bg causing the issues

[valiant67]

If it were mine and I suspected the seals, I'd drop the pan and put a new filter in.  Then I'd try a driveway flush to get the as much of the old fluid out as I could and new ATF+4 in.  If it is a seal problem Lucas Tranny Fix may help.  I'd be torn on spending $1800 myself because if the transmission keeps getting worse it may not be cheap to replace the transmission.

[dana44]

The 318 5.2/5.9 is a very strong engine with few problems, just saying the first thing that would go awry with this many miles would be the timing chain, they only last so long, so it is more of a heads up for a future repair, nothing more. I can also agree with Valiant67 that changing back to the original ATF+4 transmission fluid, historically, most of the problems with the transmissions, where people figured there was something wrong with the transmission and all, turned out to be improper fluid vice actual problems. If the problem started when the temperature started dipping, or when the fluid was changed to other than ATF+4, the reason for the change in operation increased dramatically vice failure from something else. If you want the truck this badly, make a repair deal warranty, say, if the transmission goes bad within six months, you have to help me change it or something like that, or you owe me half the price of the transmission less labor, some kind of protection from getting a worn out transmission.

[dakota1820]

We are going to change to fluid tomorrow and see if it helps. We are using the filter kit from oriellys and Valvoline atf+4

[dana44]

Well worth a try to see if it corrects this situation.