[VAC] Dodge Diesel Trans. Troubles

[Patrick Ewing <pre52@xxxxxxx>]

Jim,

So that was you that had the transmission troubles. I'm sorry that you're having
all these troubles. I wasn't personally signaling you or your driving habits out,
................... and my sincere appologies to you if that is how you
understood things.

In my younger years I worked in automotive repair and usually when there is a
repeated failure of a mechanical componant that there HAS to be a cause. Improper
driving may (and only may) be one, ............... poor factory design/materials
may be another, ............... improper repairs that really didn't PROPERLY
repair the componant is possible, ..............or a light duty vehicle being
used for heavy duty use might be another. If not one of these it could just be a
fluke.

In your case you had a sufficient vehicle for the job. You had a good trans.
cooler installed, .............. it seems that you were aware and tried your very
best to avoid further troubles. In fact wasn't it you that had the Mexico trip
cut short right at the start? .............. That was a bum deal to say the
least. ........................... I've heard that some of the Dodge diesels with
manual transmissions have had the sort of transmission problems that you
experienced. If I remember correctly I heard this from Rick Davis,
................ who has a newer Dodge diesel. He might be able to enlighten you
on this.

The Trade Wind should not be putting much strain on that truck of yours at all in
my opinion. That truck with the diesel should be designed for heavy use. However
that Cummins diesel does have a lot of torque and this puts a strain on
transmissions, ........... but the transmissions should be designed for this use
when hooked up to the diesel.

Jim, it does seem that you have had more than your fair share of mechanical
troubles and expensive ones at that. I'm sorry that this has happened and if I
was in your shoes I'd probably feel the same. I would probably be afraid to hit
the road. I don't really know just what to tell you other than when the Dodge
dealer repaired your transmission did they do any factory updates to make any
changes so this will not happen again? A lot of times when there are obvious
problems with design they will make the needed changes to hopefully eliminate the
problem. Again, I feel that Rick Davis just might know of any recalls or
modifications for your rig.

Rick, are you out there?

Pat