You bought a diesel truck because you trust in its reliability. Many truck owners prefer diesel transmissions for this very reason. In theory, your diesel truck should not need as many serious repairs as those that use gasoline.
But, you can only expect your diesel truck to last if you take care of it. One of the surest ways to shorten the life of your rig is to ignore transmission issues.
A diesel engine is more efficient and has greater torque than its gasoline counterpart. However, many truck drivers find diesel transmissions a challenge to master. If you own a diesel, you need to know what potential issues could look like and how you can prevent them from happening again.
Understanding how a diesel transmission works will help you reduce the risk of encountering problems in the future. Read on to learn about diesel truck transmission issues all owners should be aware of and how to handle them.
The Diesel Truck Transmission
The transmission of a diesel truck can handle high torque and heavy loads. For this reason, their design allows them to work under a lot of stress.
The high-stress level on the engine makes it even more important to maintain your diesel engine. After all, you invested in a diesel truck so it could last you for many years.
The diesel transmission is a system of gears that transfers power from the engine and into the drive wheels of a truck. The power produced by the engine moves through the gears of the transmission. Then, out onto the drive wheels.
In this way, the diesel transmission does much more than changing the speed of the engine’s power. Because of the hard work the transmission is responsible for, you must keep it in good shape. You can do this by providing it with adequate lubrication, properly maintaining it, and not overloading it with too much weight.
Common Transmission Issues With Diesel Trucks
There are a few common diesel truck issues that you should look out for. These issues can often lead to major problems in the future, so you need to deal with them as soon as you detect them. Here are a few common signs of transmission issues:
Slipping When Shifting Gears
If your transmission slips when shifting gears, it usually means that the clutch inside the transmission is slipping. This can happen for a variety of reasons. It could be that your transmission fluid is too old and has lost its viscosity.
This can cause the clutch to slip and make it difficult to shift gears. It could also be that there is too much friction inside the transmission resulting in the clutch being overworked. The issue here can be caused by having too little transmission fluid.
Stalling While Idling
If your truck is idling and then suddenly stalls, it could be a transmission issue. This is especially true if the truck stalls as soon as you start driving or after you have been driving for a few minutes. A transmission issue can result in the engine being unable to get enough power to keep the truck idling.
Hesitation When Shifting Gears
If you notice that your truck hesitates when shifting gears, it could be that there is too much friction inside the transmission, causing the gears to grind when trying to shift them. Another reason could be that the transmission fluid is too old and the gears are overworking.
If you do not have enough fluid, it makes it difficult to shift gears and can cause serious problems. If your truck hesitates when shifting gears, it may be time to have the transmission looked over. You do not want to wait too long, or damage to the transmission may result.
Grinding When Shifting Gears
Do you hear a terrible grinding sound when you shift gears? It could be too much friction inside the transmission and the gears grinding against each other.
It could also be that the transmission fluid is old, and the gears are overworked, like when you experience hesitation in shifting. If your transmission fluid has lost too much viscosity, it can cause the gears to grind.
If your transmission grinds when you shift, you should have it looked at as soon as possible. This can be a sure sign of a transmission issue. If you ignore it, it could cause some unwanted damage.
Overheating While Idling and When Shifting Gears
If your transmission is overheating when you are idling and shifting gears, there could be a few things going on that you need to consider. The first would be not having enough transmission fluid in the transmission. This problem can result in the transmission overheating and not being able to cool itself.
The second reason could be that there is too little room for the transmission fluid in the transmission. The fluid cannot circulate properly and causes the transmission to overheat. If your diesel transmission is overheating when you are idling and when you are shifting gears, have it checked out as soon as possible.
What About Faulty Parts?
Some parts of your diesel truck’s transmission are more likely to break than others. These can include the transmission filter, the transmission pressure differential, the transmission torque converter, and the transmission fluid coupling.
These parts can break over time. Especially if they are not properly maintained. There are a few warning signs that you can look for that can indicate a faulty transmission part.
These include a burning smell, crunching or grinding sounds, and trouble shifting gears. If you notice any of these signs, have your transmission looked at by a professional.
Do Not Ignore the Warning Signs
The longer you ignore potential transmission issues, the more likely they will get worse over time. You rely on your rig and cannot afford to be out of commission.
Have you noticed something is not quite right with your transmission? We can help! We service small and medium-duty vehicles and have a knowledgeable staff on hand to answer any inquiries you may have about your truck.
Do not waste time that can cost you money. Contact us or check out our Blog for helpful information. We can get you back on the road!
