6l80 preventative measures

a1smith · March 2, 2023

On 11/30/2022 at 11:24 AM, Grumpy Bear said:

Here's an explanation of the issue from the people that make the parts used to modify them:

6L80, 6L90 Transmissions: Consider an Updated Converter in Your Next Rebuild | Sonnax

Here is another article that complements the Sonnax article; it has more information on the waviness of the cover's clutch surface along with some nice pictures.

https://gearsmagazine.com/magazine/another-problem-with-the-6l80-90-converter/

msg122 · March 31, 2023

Hey everybody. I'm finding some great tips and information in this thread that hopefully I can apply to my situation. I'm the original owner of my 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. It has 220k miles on it. All highway commuting and never towed. Just hauling stuff in the bed. I've followed all the GM service recommendations and recalls. After my warranty expired, I found a mechanic shop that specializes in GM and AC Delco parts. This truck has never been a smooth shifter and I've learned to deal with it, but in the past couple of months I began to feel a shudder when shifting. It's always right between 1600-2000 rpms. At stop lights it will start to roll like its in neutral and I'll have to feather the brake and gas a little bit to get it in gear, similar to manual transmission. Once the truck is rolling it shifts fine between the rest of the gears. The same goes for reverse too.

I'm not in a position to buy a new vehicle at the moment. Which also means I don't have the money for a replacement transmission. All things have a shelf life and its an 9 year old truck with 220k miles so I'm being realistic here, but can I salvage this? I've done some searching on this site and I've see owners post about similar problems and claiming a new torque converter usually does the trick. I have the money to spend on a new torque converter, but I can't afford to keep taking it back and forth to a shop to continue diagnosing the problem. I just wish I knew that was problem and can be fixed. I've also see a ton of posts about switching transmission fluids, throwing in additives etc. You can really go down a rabbit hole in terms of solutions and it gets a bit overwhelming. Can anyone offer up any advice, tips, personal experiences? I love my truck. I'm the one owner and I've racked up all the 220,000+ miles on her. Don't want to get rid of it just yet guys.

No Tyme · April 3, 2023

Well the trucks is getting the original pan dropped this week, filter change and I am having this pan with a drain plug installed. Hope the drain plug does not interfere with the filter.

Anyone put the plug in this area?

I have no idea how much clearance there is in this area

Edited April 3, 2023 by No Tyme

Grumpy Bear · April 3, 2023

39 minutes ago, No Tyme said:

Well the trucks is getting the original pan dropped this week, filter change and I am having this pan with a drain plug installed. Hope the drain plug does not interfere with the filter.

Anyone put the plug in this area?

I have no idea how much clearance there is in this area

See that horseshoe in the bottom of the pan? Top of the photo. Filter rest on that. IF the drain is equal to or lower than that, no problem.

No Tyme · April 3, 2023

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

See that horseshoe in the bottom of the pan? Top of the photo. Filter rest on that. IF the drain is equal to or lower than that, no problem.

This should do it... Thank you Grumpy Bear

beetle · June 7

When my truck hit 50K miles about 3 years ago I had the dealer service the transmission. When I got home I looked underneath and I swear nothing was touched, either that or the tech was extremely meticulous cleaning up. I've been very suspicious of this since then so yesterday at 72K miles I used a pump through the dipstick but I was only able to extract about 2 quarts. The oil was very dark and had a burnt odor. I added 2 qts Dexron Syn. I've babied this truck since new, never hauled or towed, tranny continues work fine, now I'm almost certain the dealer never serviced it but gladly took my money $220. So, has anyone else paid for services but suspected not rendered?

KARNUT · June 7

5 minutes ago, beetle said:

When my truck hit 50K miles about 3 years ago I had the dealer service the transmission. When I got home I looked underneath and I swear nothing was touched, either that or the tech was extremely meticulous cleaning up. I've been very suspicious of this since then so yesterday at 72K miles I used a pump through the dipstick but I was only able to extract about 2 quarts. The oil was very dark and had a burnt odor. I added 2 qts Dexron Syn. I've babied this truck since new, never hauled or towed, tranny continues work fine, now I'm almost certain the dealer never serviced it but gladly took my money $220. So, has anyone else paid for services but suspected not rendered?

Did you request a filter change? It’s very easy to pull from the dipstick or cooler lines. Its easier than pulling the pan.

No Tyme · June 7

My 2018 is at 119K plus and I purchased a pan at a auto parts store, had a friend tig weld a drain plug in and had an independent shop drop the pan, change filter and install the new pan. Now every 20K or so, I drain out what I can and replace with fresh fluid. Cost a bit but I think this is the best thing to do so I don't pay the dealer for something they may or may not do.

KARNUT · June 7

8 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Did you request a filter change? It’s very easy to pull from the dipstick or cooler lines. Its easier than pulling the pan.

Almost forgot you have to do it more than once to get most of the fluid out. I did my truck through the dipstick. Drove for a week and did it again. Through the cooler lines once would do it.

beetle · June 8

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

Did you request a filter change? It’s very easy to pull from the dipstick or cooler lines. Its easier than pulling the pan.

I was charged for the filter, so.......

Grumpy Bear · June 8

5 minutes ago, beetle said:

I was charged for the filter, so.......

This is why the dealer only touches my truck for RECALLS and not all of them.

Ianf · June 8

I Agree Marty.

14 years on my truck and only seen the dealer twice.

1) Rear emblem on the tailgate peeling - replaced under warranty

2) Airbag recall for the passenger airbag (and they cracked the dash skin doing it.)

KARNUT · June 8

Depends on the dealer. My local Honda dealer has been excellent for the 22 years I’ve been using them. My Hyundai dealer has been a close second. Using them since 05. My Ford dealer was the worst which drove me across the street to the GMC-Hyundai dealership.

Grumpy Bear · June 8

15 hours ago, beetle said:

When my truck hit 50K miles about 3 years ago I had the dealer service the transmission. When I got home I looked underneath and I swear nothing was touched, either that or the tech was extremely meticulous cleaning up. I've been very suspicious of this since then so yesterday at 72K miles I used a pump through the dipstick but I was only able to extract about 2 quarts. The oil was very dark and had a burnt odor. I added 2 qts Dexron Syn. I've babied this truck since new, never hauled or towed, tranny continues work fine, now I'm almost certain the dealer never serviced it but gladly took my money $220. So, has anyone else paid for services but suspected not rendered?

So, do you just want a list of others that will complain OR do you want this fixed? I see only one question :dunno: