2006 H3 - Base Model on 33' tires

[daKat81]

Hi Mike

I got a a new set of AT2 305/70R16 for the H3. I feel the truck is very underpowered.
I now have a computer message P0894 - that calls for a slipping tranny.
Do you think these new tires might be the cause of the bad transmission? The truck when cold has a slipping tranny on 1-2. Sometimes when the AC on, also gears slip. After an hour of driving,the slipping goes away. When on highway going 63mph or more, the transmission switches back to 3rd. (not always but most of the time).
:huh:
Are these symptoms of a bad transmission or of a very underpowered engine?

 

[3Hummers]

The tires are not something that would cause your tranny to slip. The 3.5L I5 is a slightly underpowered motor for the H3.

 

[05Mudiak]

how many miles are on the truck?

 

[daKat81]

the H3 has 91k
transmission mechanic just told me it was a leak on the tranny. He put oil and said to wait overnight to see if problem persists.
I hope is only that...

 

[alrock]

It's time for a drain and fill on that transmission. Besides the fluid being low it is also surely tired and some of your symptoms could come from that as well.

 

[Bigunit]

...tell me about it...

 

[alrock]

Ooh, I guess that P0700 isn't going away? :whaa:

 

[Bigunit]

So far, so good, as it hasn't come back on...but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

 

[daKat81]

It's time for a drain and fill on that transmission. Besides the fluid being low it is also surely tired and some of your symptoms could come from that as well.

it seems that the transmission has a leak so fluid levels will go low igniting the computer to put that message of a slipping transmission. So dismounting and sealing it will b necessary.
Repair cost $675.00

What do you think?

 

[Mr_Rich]

it seems that the transmission has a leak so fluid levels will go low igniting the computer to put that message of a slipping transmission. So dismounting and sealing it will b necessary.
Repair cost $675.00

What do you think?

That is a lot of money for what might be a simple fix. I'll explain since I had a similar problem on my 700R4 in my old '89 K1500. I was packed up and heading south on 101 on a weekend in 100 degree heat. We had a spell there that was difficult for a while. Anyway, I had stopped to give my dog some water and noticed oil spray on the back of my truck and dripping trans oil from the bottom of my truck. Uh-oh. I topped off my trans with a quart of trans oil I had on hand and headed back home. Checking out my trans I had a loose plug in the test port on the driver's side of the trans, loose TV cable on the trans (found backed out 1/4" and re-tightened), and loose pan bolts. I re-torqued those, but eventually dropped the pan and found the gasket ripped in three places. New pan gasket, filter, and re-fill along with tightening up the previously mentioned fittings seems to have solved the problem for me and much less than a cost you've been quoted. I was taking a lot for granted; I watch my engine oil level but tend to ignore my trans oil. I'll watch it more closely from now on. Another thing that was mentioned to me is that the trans oil can boil and leak out the vent in the top of the trans and could be likely if the trans is slightly overfilled. I try to keep the underside of my vehicles clean so that any leaks can be traced quickly. That's what seems to work for me and I hope this helps.

 

[rsc]

Just removal and reinstallation of the transmission in my area runs $600. Then add in the price of repairs.

 

[Mr_Rich]

And I'll add that when my problem first started my truck would start oscillating between 3 & 4 gear on the flat and level. At first it felt like an engine miss until I determined what the problem really was. I topped off the trans oil level before I started troubleshooting the fact I had other problems to fix.
And I want to add that dropping the pan and inspecting any possible residue or metal particles may yield a clue to the health of your trans. In my case the pan was clean so I felt confident my trans was in good shape and has many more miles to go yet.

 

[daKat81]

That is a lot of money for what might be a simple fix. I'll explain since I had a similar problem on my 700R4 in my old '89 K1500. I was packed up and heading south on 101 on a weekend in 100 degree heat. We had a spell there that was difficult for a while. Anyway, I had stopped to give my dog some water and noticed oil spray on the back of my truck and dripping trans oil from the bottom of my truck. Uh-oh. I topped off my trans with a quart of trans oil I had on hand and headed back home. Checking out my trans I had a loose plug in the test port on the driver's side of the trans, loose TV cable on the trans (found backed out 1/4" and re-tightened), and loose pan bolts. I re-torqued those, but eventually dropped the pan and found the gasket ripped in three places. New pan gasket, filter, and re-fill along with tightening up the previously mentioned fittings seems to have solved the problem for me and much less than a cost you've been quoted. I was taking a lot for granted; I watch my engine oil level but tend to ignore my trans oil. I'll watch it more closely from now on. Another thing that was mentioned to me is that the trans oil can boil and leak out the vent in the top of the trans and could be likely if the trans is slightly overfilled. I try to keep the underside of my vehicles clean so that any leaks can be traced quickly. That's what seems to work for me and I hope this helps.

Well that sounds like you have a garage at home with the right tools and you also have good knowledge of what you are doing.
Unfortunately I live in a condo and do not have all those things with me. I have to ask someone to do it for me.
I was recommended by two trans mechanics; one said I needed a rebuilt transmission (total cost of $1,500) and the second one who is a better known mechanic in the area and who was recommended by a good engine mechanic here in Midtown told me to repair just the leak ($670). It seems like a more reasonable and honest repair. He refilled the transmission with fluid, the truck now runs great, has power and good responsiveness. So I will take the truck to him for the leak problem. I could probably negotiate a few dollars or so.