[Bigred4x4]

I took my 2004 Dodge Cummins 3500 dually 24v with auto transmission into the Dodge Dealership today for a service and to check out an intermittent rough idle problem. The dealership asked me if I had noticed any torque converter chatter as thats what they told me was causing my idle problems with it wanting to surge. They told me that this would lead to transmission failure at some future point and cost me in the neighborhood of about $3,500. :thud: At the same time they also informed me that I needed the tie rods ends replaced on the front end for about another $1,000.:thud::thud: Is there anything I can replace to fix this torque converter chatter, like the torque converter or am I doomed to just wait it out until the transmission goes? Anybody know a good transmission place in Georgia or possibly suggest an Internet solution that I can purchase and then put in myself as these dealership prices are unreal??

 

[DieselRookie]

Do you have white smoke? Do you know yourself that it's a tranny problem?

 

[kdhrick]

buddy had the same (or very sim) prob with his 03
We replaced the filter, put in amsoil atf flushed the system and all is well
Its worth a try
Good luck

 

[countrycummins99]

yes there is hope for you yet there are any number of replacment torque converters u can get most likely next day shipped i would probably go with an ats,dtt,or suncoast their some of the best out there prolly cost you anywhere from $500 to $1600 to replace and as for your tie rods you would be getting raped at that price go to the nearset auto parts store or online and order MOOG!! ends their the best out there prolly cost u bout $150 how this helps you out pm me if you need to know any specifics

 

[Teen wolf]

mine chatter like that right before they blow, usually converter and pump ive been through three stockers so far and not on dodges dime either!

 

[Cookie]

I just went through this on a manual, the problem, 4 broken springs on the flywheel, solution, spend the money and get it fixed now before it cost you more later.

When you have an imbalance in the flywheel it will make the truck shake as if it is idling rough, I went through the whole rigamaroar, of cleaning injections, amisol, fuel filters, strange looks by mechanics when they said I don't know what is wrong with it.
I thought I had dropped some injectors and it wasn't coding.

I even had a few DODGE mechanics tell me I needed a new turbo and or a whole set of injectors, uh duhhhhhhhhh I am a blonde but not that blonde.

 

[Bigred4x4]

No Smoke

Do you have white smoke? Do you know yourself that it's a tranny problem?

No smoke at all and I'm very skeptible that I have a transmission problem as it seems to shift just fine, just has intermittent times when it doesn't idle that well. Some days its alright and some days its rough idling...

 

[Cookie]

stupid question, deisel right? have you drained the water.

 

[Bigred4x4]

Rough Idle Imbalance

I just went through this on a manual, the problem, 4 broken springs on the flywheel, solution, spend the money and get it fixed now before it cost you more later.

When you have an imbalance in the flywheel it will make the truck shake as if it is idling rough, I went through the whole rigamaroar, of cleaning injections, amisol, fuel filters, strange looks by mechanics when they said I don't know what is wrong with it.
I thought I had dropped some injectors and it wasn't coding.

I even had a few DODGE mechanics tell me I needed a new turbo and or a whole set of injectors, uh duhhhhhhhhh I am a blonde but not that blonde.

I don't believe I have this as it would be doing it all the time, wouldn't it? Mine is intermittent and some days very good idle and then others where it almost idles down to stall, but doesn't..

 

[Bigred4x4]

Water Drain

stupid question, deisel right? have you drained the water.

No I haven't. Does this mean a possible head gasket problem?

 

[Cookie]

There is a drain next to the fuel filter, where you can open a valve to drain the water off.

No now head gasket problem, I am talking about water in the fuel not engine

 

[Bigred4x4]

Water in Fuel?

Cookie,

Shouldn't be any water in the fuel as they just replaced all the filters 2-days ago while doing the service. However, I will go out and check the water drain just to cross that possibility off the list...

 

[Teen wolf]

unless after market tC id say its converter bearing chatter as stated earlier, its as common as lack of common since , ive seen new stock trucks do it with as little extra power as intake and exaust....:thumbsup

 

[Bigred4x4]

Diesel Mechanic in the Columbus, GA area needed...

I go the front-end looked at by a very honest place in town and it cost me a third of the $1,000 on what the dealership had quoted me and it wasn't even the tie-rods, it was the lower balls joints. This same shop foreman also recommended a good transmission guy who I will go to next. Now my biggest problem is I can't find anybody who recommends a diesel mechanic in the local area so I was wondering if anybody here knows of one within an hour or so drive of here that is honest and does good work on the Cummins?

 

[mhiggs84]

This could be a possible transmission problem, but usually when the torque convertor chatters that means the internals are worn or damage to the point that you would notice it at any outdoor temperature as long as you have driven the vehicle enough to get the tranny hot. If you are having an idle problem I would check your fuel system such as filter, air/water in the system, low oil pressure, or leaks. I am very positive this is not a head gasket problem but if you would like to check for yourself, run the vehicle to normal operating temp then shut it off and watch and listen to the coolant reservoir for bubbles which would be pressure built up in the cylinder escaping through the cooling system. You should also notice coolant getting lower and lower as it tries to escape into the cylinder on the intake stroke. These are just a few pointers to help you out. Also check the idle air control. When they get dirty they tend to lose their idle position. Good Luck!