Tranny slow going into gear

[AKbigsub]

vehicle spec: '90 burb with TBI 350, TH400, 241c, D60 front (open), 14bff (detroit), 4.10 gears.

The problem: when I drop it into drive or reverse, it is really slow going into gear. The problem is magnified when the ambient air temperature is colder (think winter in Alaska). By "slow" I mean 30 seconds right now (it is 40 degrees outside) and 15 minutes when it was 10 to -10. Once I am driving, it shifts the same as it has since I owned it (4 years) but slips out of gear at a stop sign but will engage when I rev it up a few hundred rpms.

The fluid is full and does not smell burnt.

There was a small leak at the after market add-on cooler so I removed it. After removing the cooler, it seemed to take less time to drop into gear, but the temperature has gotten warmer at the same time.

When it was really cold out, there was a whine coming from the tranny that went away after the rig warmed up.

Has anyone had this type of problem? What should I look for before I take it in to a tranny shop and spend some coin for them to tell me what the problem is?

 

[dyeager535]

Usually slipping is a sign of bad internals. Pump could be weak, clutches could be shot, internal seals could be leaking, etc.

 

[andyblack]

Sounds like it's low on fluid, but you said it was full, right? It could be the pump.

 

[topless jackass]

your torque convertor is draining out. I can't remember what causes it, i think it is a check valve in the pump. Anyhow, it takes time for the pump to reprime and that results in delay.

 

[noJeepshere]

I'm thinking the pump, as it whines when it's cold. And it pops out when you're stopping.

 

[lectric80]

Subscribed to see all the replies, my TH350 started doing this this winter. Exact symptoms you are describing, although our temps never drop as low as yours. I just figured I will plan to pick up a new trans when I can.

 

[noJeepshere]

Subscribed to see all the replies, my TH350 started doing this this winter. Exact symptoms you are describing, although our temps never drop as low as yours. I just figured I will plan to pick up a new trans when I can.

Is the fluid level up on yours? It sounds like it's time to tear Krusty apart and make it into the rig you want.

 

[lectric80]

Is the fluid level up on yours? It sounds like it's time to tear Krusty apart and make it into the rig you want.

Yeah, I keep a close eye on the fluid level since it sits so much. I am hoping to baby it out for a bit longer, then I should be able to afford the 700r4 from BTO that I want.

 

[AKbigsub]

Well, I finally was able to drop the pan and inspect. The fluid was not burnt smelling or black/dark. I wasn't pink either (a little darker - toward red). The filter seemed loose but the bolt was tight. There were two small pieces of material (see pics) in the pan and one larger piece in the filter. They are flexable, yet stiff. They are black on one side and brick red on the other and look similar to gasket material. I am guessing a rebuild is in my future.

 

[RockinChevy]

I wasn't pink either (a little darker - toward red).

Too much info for us

 

[bigbadchev84]

Looks like that could be old pan gasket material? My old transmission did the same thing, Tranny guy said that the seal for the 1st/reverse clutch pack was getting hard, so fluid would go past it eventually heat the seal up enough to swell it and it will go into gear. You can try some seal swelling stuff to get you by, But that causes another problem of the seals dont know when to stop swelling