42RLE - One Tough Transmission

[libertybob]

Have been looking for a Liberty 4x4 for a few months but every one I saw was too expensive or had serious rust issues. Hate rust. So when I found an '03 Liberty Limited with perfect body and filthy but perfect interior with an inoperative transmission for $1500, had to have her. I bought the Liberty with the intent to replace the trans with a used one. But I have a good friend who used to own a transmission shop. He wanted to trouble shoot the trans. It would not move in drive or reverse and made a whining noise like a power steering pump low on fluid. The trans fluid was a dark pink without any burnt smell. My buddy said the trans pump was cavitating for lack of fluid - probably clogged filter. Dropped the trans pan and sure enough - badly clogged filter. Changed the filter and added 5 quarts ATF+4. Drove the Liberty on several short trips and she shifts great. Now to service her properly, will change all fluids and filters, replace leaking power steering hose, replace leaking valve cover gaskets, and replace tires and inspect brakes. Will have about $2500 in an excellent condition Liberty 4x4 with new tires. I know a lot of people don't like the 42RLE as well as the 45RFE, but my respect for the 42RLE has really gone up! It is one tough trans to survive the neglect it received.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Welcome to the Liberty club! :waytogo:

Keep an eye on the ****** - I wonder why the filter was so badly clogged. What was it clogged with? What was wearing so bad that it clogged the filter?

How many miles are on her? You're right to change all the fluids - a good idea to change the serpentine belt, plugs, transfer case fluid and differentials too.

Keep us posted!

Bob

 

[CactusJacked]

I'm sure the clogged filter restricting fluid flow/pressure wasn't doing the transmission any favors. I agree, keep an eye on it.

 

[ftaa]

tock 42rle won king of the hammers.

 

[profdlp]

It pays to look into things before you just start throwing parts at a problem. Nice job! :favorites13:

 

[renegade 04]

Nice job! Welcome!

 

[LibertyTC]

That is the kind of Trans filter that I would love to tear open and see what lurks inside!!
Photos of a nasty clogged filter, to remind others why they need to service the transmission including the filter.....more frequently!

 

[CactusJacked]

I found a picture of his filters innards, lol....

You must be registered for see images

 

[renegade 04]

No way! what a mess, now I know why you need to change your transmission fluid and filter at regular service intervals.

 

[CactusJacked]

No way! what a mess, now I know why you need to change your transmission fluid and filter at regular service intervals.

No way is right, that was a joke son. Man, you're an easy mark! :happy175:
That's a diesel fuel tank filter.....still scary tho.

 

[profdlp]

I found a picture of his filters innards, lol....

You must be registered for see images

No way! what a mess, now I know why you need to change your transmission fluid and filter at regular service intervals.

No way is right, that was a joke son. Man, you're an easy mark! :happy175:
That's a diesel fuel tank filter.....still scary tho.

I thought it was a close-up of Jabba's jowls.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[LibertyTC]

Here I am, just finished a great home made beef stew and a few beers...(beerthought)
Then I tuned into this :yucky: channel ...:icon_lol:
Suddenly, I want to check the Transmission Dipstick and see if it is clean or not.:uhoh2:

 

[ftaa]

Here I am, just finished a great home made beef stew and a few beers...(beerthought)
Then I tuned into this :yucky: channel ...:icon_lol:
Suddenly, I want to check the Transmission Dipstick and see if it is clean or not.:uhoh2:

if it mells like celery its good

 

[LibertyTC]

Celery= ya good idea !
Been a long time since I snorted transmission fluid ! :gr_grin:

 

[libertybob]

More information on clogged filter

Still have filter so will cut open to see what happened. The paint inside the transmission pan peeled off in several areas and was easy to flake off. The paint was missing on a 3 inch square area - not in the pan so I assume it is in the filter. My transmission buddy says to run the trans 500 miles with the new filter and fluid, drop the pan, check for debris, change filter and fluids again just to be sure. Will follow his advice and will also strip the paint remaining inside the pan. There was a little grit in the bottom of the pan but my buddy says this is normal for a trans with 173k on it. The filter & fluid was changed last 6 years ago per the date code on the old filter, probably at about 80k. So, we believe the peeling paint is the root cause. The good news is that once the filter clogged, the truck would not move so was not driven preventing serious damage. Anyway, all is good for now. Will post a picture of the filter if I can figure out how to do that. My buddy and I are both in our 70's and this is my first Jeep. Wife is looking forward to some mild off paved road touring, but in comfort since this is a Limited Edition. Never too late to start 4x4ing!

 

[libertybob]

42RLE follow up...

Finally cut open the clogged trans filter that caused the 2003 Liberty not to move at all. Found lots of clutch material. Bad news. I had changed the filter and fluid dropping the pan only (no flush). I drove Libby 250 miles and dropped the pan again and found small amounts of clutch material in the filter and bottom of the pan. I assume that this was in the old fluid still in the torque converter from the original change. The trans shifts great through all gears but has two problems. It intermittently set code P0740 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction and has a hard downshift from 3rd to 2nd gear. Also one time, it set Codes 0733 and 0734 (incorrect gear ratio in 3rd & 4th) and went into limp mode. Did some research on this and hypothesize that the input speed sensor is the common factor in these 3 codes. Have a new input sensor on order. Will post an update if this fixes the problem or not. If the torque converter clutch is gone, will replace the trans. Just waiting for parts to come in. Will be a shame to have to replace the trans as it shifts so well. If I could determine if the clutch material in the pan is from the torque converter clutch only, would just replace the converter. Any ideas on how to identify where the clutch material debris originated?

 

[ElCheapo]

Remembering that this trans has 173k on it, which is a lot for an un-maintained auto trans, if you pull it you might as well replace/rebuild it. Otherwise you'll be pulling it again.
I am ElCheapo, but even I know to do it right the first time, it always costs more not to.

 

[libertybob]

Hmmm...

I too am an elcheapo but have decided to rebuild if the input sensor doesn't do the trick. The reason I suspect the input sensor is that code 0740 compares engine speed from the PCM to the input speed of the trans and trips if there is a difference when the torque converter clutch is supposed to be locked up. I can drive 30 miles at 65-70 with no code but set one when I start to slow down to 45-55. Code 0740 in intermittent with no pattern. Code 0733 & 0734 going into limp mode happened only once. This sets when the expected gear ratio in third & fourth differs from what is expected as measured by the input sensor and output sensor. When I described the codes to my next door neighbor Jeep mechanic, he said immediately "input sensor, a very common problem on 42RLE's". Since the input sensor is the common component with these two problems, it is suspect. So here's hoping.

 

[ftaa]

when at 30-35 mph do when you step on it does it thunk down ? and cause the cel?
i'[ve gone through this too ... thinking somethign was SERIOUSDLY wrong with my ****** ended up needing the same sensor and a flush .

 

[libertybob]

Thunk

Yes it does thunk at about 30mph when downshifting to 2nd. Will post the results when I change the sensor.