There is an additional lesson here which has not yet been mentioned. Read the owners manual. This customer drove a long way to learn he was using an incorrect method to check the transmission fluid level. - Oh and that unwrapped wiring loom....YIKES!
When I did a plug drain transmission change on my 2003 Tundra the manual specified to add 2 quarts for this procedure. I measure the drained fluid in a large graduated container that I bought for $2 from the dollar store. The drained fluid measured 3.8 quart. I added 3.5 and ended up adding a full 4 quarts. So the manual was a misprint. Always measure what you remove.
Aftermarket parts, spaghetti wiring loom, and many shops who worked on it, but did not find the problem. Thinking it's going to be a doozy of a diag. Ends up being fluid level. Goes to show, you have to have a sound troubleshooting strategy and start at the basics. That there is a huge lesson in itself.
All those mechanics and they totally dropped the ball. And people wonder why we are willing to drive hours on end to see guys like you and even Eric. O. We'ed rather pay you even if a little extra because we know it's going to get done right and once. Great work as always.
It’s amazing how there are still people in the comments saying it’s easier than ever to find a good mechanic because everyone going into the industry now loves cars… total nonsense
@@Walczyk I work in industrial maintenance and 1 thing I learned in 20 years about techs and I'm sure this rule is across the board in all trades. 10% of the people do 90% of the work properly..
We can blame the transmission shop for the low fluid level since the owner didn't know the correct process in using the dip stick and was confirming "fluid level is within normal" ever since the trans swap. They delivered the truck to him with 2 quarts short of normal level ! Probably a good time to drop the pan and replace the filter and refill with a full load of the same fluid anyway. Might be a good idea to get some of that plastic loom material and at least get those wires encased from the elements and critters.
I disagree. If you are gonna check the fluid level, understand how the fluid level is correctly checked and do it accordingly. Just because the owner says, "Oh, I didn't know how to do it and I didn't do it right", does not make it someone else's fault after that moment the owner checked it, it makes it the owners' fault for not checking it right and correctly. The "Blame" stops there.
@@additudeobx No, the transmission shop gave him his truck with a 2 quart low fluid level. Truck owner isn't responsible for that. Had they done so, there would have been no problems.
Lets not forget this was the original complaint with the first trans, that turned out to be the brake switch. Then more problems. You can't always trust the customers story either.
@@additudeobx Correct. Such a simple check which should be part of an owner's inspection routine, was done incorrectly. From that point on he must share the blame. It doesn't let the shop off though - they are well paid experts.
Unfortunately, when a computer is involved, the simple things are often overlooked. It's because there is so much that is unknown about what's going on in the computer. It's not just in cars and trucks, either - this sort of thing is pretty widespread in the industrial world. After a certain level of complexity is reached, it becomes almost imperative that the system be self-diagnosing - but in some cases, we still need to check power supplies and fluid levels. Easy to overlook the simple when the overall system is so complex. You did good, Ivan!
I watch both, one is for education, the other for entertainment. I can’t explain how much I am entertained by wiring diagrams,no parts required fixes and wave formations!
Good lesson! I am a programmer, when I find some bugs in the lines I wrote, USUALLY, I mean 9 out of 10 times, it's going to be some really really basic stuff that went terribly wrong, and I'll never ever even think something could go wrong there
I always drive manuals-- but when other people have auto-trans issues: I go straight to the fluid level first thing, because I've seen that be the problem more than anything else.
To repair unwrapped wiring loom first layer of tape sticky side out so the next person can open the harness without all the glue on the wires.; You are the best instructor on the internet. Keep up the excellent work If I ever have a problem that I cannot fix I will drive from LI NY to you. DIY since 1962 only because had no funds to have someone else fix it had to learn the hard way break stuff than fix it. Bill N LI NY
Got called out yesterday to look at a K5 blazer for not shifting into overdrive. The transmission was 1 qt low but when I got back in the truck, I noticed the transfer case shifter was in low range. I placed it in high and test drove it fine. Operator error is a big one in aviation and in automotive too.
Ivan, you really looked at a lot of things and adjusted one thing (transmission fluid level). I hope the owner had you put the wire harness back together. In the end I'm sure the owner found your work well worth the drive. Thanks for Sharing! P.S. I should probably check the tranny fluid level in my old truck sometime soon!
I've worked on cars all my life and I am so jealous of Ivans knowledge. The mechanical side is so easy but the electronics is a different animal. I wish I could have went to school for this or spend some time picking Ivans brain. These videos are great and give me a better understanding of the processes, Would love to get past the guesswork or throwing parts at it. Not many guys out there with this level expertise, I can count the ones I know on one hand.
@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics I've only watched a couple videos but it's awesome seeing the technology you have at your disposal and showing us how to use it. I've never had any significant diagnostic equipment, it really opens my eyes to see how figuring things out the old school way is so primitive. The LT engine with the #6 misfire was a great video, those pressure wave test are awesome the way it graphs all the cylinder pressure in crankshaft degrees and being able to compare a known live cylinder you can see exactly what's going on. It's just awesome and really opens my eyes to what I've been missing. I've definitely got to get my hands on some of this equipment. That little bump in pressure, you mentioned cylinder pressure was at -12lbs, I wonder how much vacuum it would take to pull the valve off it's seat? And what type of equipment was used to perform these pressure wave tests? Just very cool!
@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics if you ever do that pressure wave test again I would love to see the equipment used, I'm doubting it's done on the same snap on scanner you use? Could be I just know, maybe there's a pressure port that connects to the plug hole? Interested in this
Like most diagnostics, start at the start! If it is an electrical problem check for power then grounds. If it is a shifting problem in an automatic gearbox check the level, likewise with power steering. If it is a starting problem, look for fuel first before the other stuff. Most of the basic checks are just that, basic checks. People should have to do a basic vehicle check test before getting their licences. In Russia you used to have to pass such a test to get your drivers licence. I don't know if it is still a requirement. I assumed it was because you could freeze to death if you were stuck somewhere in winter. PS I have never been to Russia.
Hard to believe the solution but nonetheless well worth the 8 hour drive for a severe 5 year long headache. Would've done the same myself and bought Ivan an extra couple of beers for his thorough diagnostic skills.
Car makers should use a clear wire loom. One just has to wipe dust and see a rare smoked wire, etc. Clear rad hoses as well. Then you know all's full . WIndscreens are clear for good reasons too.
Most automatics to check fluid...level surface, engine running AND up to normal operating temperature. It even says on the diptick all of these conditions. Sadly, like my new Tundra and many others, there no longer is a tranny dipstick.
We're all very glad you know how to interpret the waterfall of information your scanners and PICOs deliver to you, and that you can actually use that info to make vehicles work properly again. And many of us think we are following you while you're doing it, but it's like a dream at the break of day - our understanding of this esoterica, until it is as comprehensive as yours (i.e. never), seems to fade away just a few minutes after your videos are over. So we continue to watch new videos and be amazed, hoping that one day we will understand it all as well as you do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Use your graduate degrees from Penn State to write an app that consolidates and evaluates all available scanner data and then produces the exact answers DIYers need to pinpoint car problems - just an idea, but you have the knowledge, skill and organizational ability to do the job, your wonderful wife appears to tolerate your work habits, and you seem to need no sleep, so no obstacles to producing the perfect app.
Just found and subscribed to this channel, I am seriously impressed with his knowledge. I've only worked with a handful of guys that were at this level, it's rare. There's mechanics and then there's auto technicians, mechanics are a dime a dozen, techs like this is rare. I know I'm a good mechanic but I can only wish I had his tech experience.
Bought a truck to flip and they had the transmission at the hot level instead of the cold level when I checked cold. It was slipping in and out of 5-6 gear on the highway. I siphoned about 2 qts out and now shifts fine and stays in gear.
Ivan, I truly enjoy watching your videos and your approach to people. Too bad you can't branch yourself out to other areas as a person of your apparent integrity is becoming more difficult to find! Keep up the great work.
My brother inlaws subie Outback was making lots of noise. I told him let's check the oil level. The tip of the dipstick would barely get wet. We added nearly 3 quarts of oil to the full line. The car ran much better. This car is 22 years old and over 420 kilometers. He never checked the old before because the service shop does every time they change the oil. Now he will check it weekly.
You mean to tell me all you did was put some transmission fluid in the transmission? Aren't there new trucks/vehicle that don't have a transmission dipstick? After I get the oil changed and start the engine I go around to the passenger side and pull the transmission dipstick. I didn't know about checking with the engine off on Honda cars! Great video!
If I were the owner, I'd change the engine oil. On your test drive, that oil pressure was pretty low. Around 20psi (IP Gauge) at moderate 3000rpm acceleration... should be near 40psi or higher.
There’s a transmission shop near me that routinely underfills newly installed transmissions and then refuse all liability when the transmission grenades itself
They are going to do that slip shot shit to the wrong person and get something more than a returned car. Especially if they are doing it to save on tyranny fluid....
@@giggiddy Honestly after the father retired it became a shady and shitty shop. I bet they don't check the level after filling, and also don't test drive it. It's really hard to find a good shop
I see you noted it at the end. those wires sitting like that is going to cause a problem. they are going to be chaffed and short out. but what do I know! ;) oh and dont forget to check the brake fluid for water content since that apparently is a rampant problem...
Ivan I've seen so many customers complaints with poor shifting. They all say they check fluids with engine off, very common mistake. Always check it when engine is running. I've always put a quart or two in to cure the problem! I always remind them to check it when engine running in GM trucks. That throttle body is notoriously common problem to fail if it doesn't have ac Delco part. I've always replaced Dorman crapoy part lol. Great job to do simple checks etc
I've been running into Delco throttle bodies that have issues out the box lately, had 2 in a row that would not relearn and gave the A/B correlation codes on 2 different trucks, took them back and the dealer was dumbfounded, but after a chat with them, i guess their service department got a couple bad ones too. This was on my own 04 2500HD 6.0, (old style TB) and an 06 1500 5.3, (old style TB)
THere are times I would travel 8hrs even to get news like this since at least you could trust the mechanic. I wish I had a mechanic I could trust, worse yet I am a medically retired mechanic so I trust no one. At least this customer knows there is nothing else wrong, that does give piece of mind.
Two quarts low in a transmission is like draining 2 pints of blood out of a human. You wouldn't work too well either. He was lucky it didn't burn up the clutches, or something. Those loose wires will wear through eventually. He needs to fix that for sure. People start driving half way across North America for your service, Ivan, and you may need to open Ivan's Motel.
I have a few of these GM trucks 5.3 and 6.0 vans trucks fleet . One has 350,000 miles no major issues. Minor probs with electrical . I do all my own service repairs. Often idiot hacker mechanics cause most issues. Low fluid or overfilled cause foaming harsh shifting.
Yeah those are good trucks. I'm not a GM guy and I'd own one and trust it if I had a big RV to tow. My experience with low trans fluid is harsh shifting, delayed or erratic shifts, and feelings of "dropping into neutral" and slipping or smacking back into gear. When you are low on fluid it really causes havoc with the trans. The clutches can't work with foamy airy fluid...
@@MitzvosGolem1 hell yeah. I had a few 240 wagons. I personally like the 7 and 9 series wagons the most (they are just awesomely square). I want to find another.
Ivan, Ivan, please learn to walk away from these turds. Look, we all appreciate your ability to essentially diagnose anything but you are trying to run a business. It was Kenny Rogers who first made a song "you got to know when to hold em, know when fold em, no when to walk away, no when to run....." That was good advice. Guys travel this far because it is almost impossible to find good and honest technicians in most areas of the country. I know some will dispute this but that has been my experience and, well, this guy found out the hard way. By the way, Eric O. won't work on out-of-town customers anymore. He is actually getting a bit ornery. I still watch his videos but you can tell he is not really "into" doing videos anymore and I don't think he ever really liked dealing with people. He is just kind of hooked on the TH-cam money. I'd be that if he could, he'd go back to just being a relatively unknown small town mechanic.
Wow. No one thought to check the trans fluid? One more thing. On the test drive, I noticed the oil pressure gauge was at the 20 mark. How much engine oil was in the crankcase? Hopefully, this truck will continue to run good now. Good one Ivan.
It did have the performance code for the oil press sensor, these sensors are , well, not the best and fail often. I had a brand new AC delco one leak out of the plug, oil running down the bell housing onto the hot header, almost caught a car on fire. That said these LS based engines do run 30-35 psi on idle when hot from my experience.
it must be hard to find a competant mechanic. myself i have always repaired my own vehicles since i was 18. after getting ripped off on car repairs a couple times before i decided to do repairs myself. you will make mistakes but thats how you learn. mechanics today need to know electronics and electrical troubleshooting
I always check the dipsticks first. Smelly brown trans fluid is usually the first sign that there's a problem that needs to be addressed. The owner is that problem.
LOL my yukon started getting funky with the transmission took me about a 1/2 hour and the master was broke who would have thought,,, leave it to gm active brake management
I had a 2017 grand Cherokee in the shop the other day, only 40,000 miles, transmission absolutely screaming when accelerating, found it was 2 quarts low and that fixed it right up. It was dry as a bone underneath so no clue where the fluid went but it was an auction car so God only knows lol
I think you fixed one of his issues but the transmission pressure switch code was not addressed.i bet that pressure switch is torn causing high line pressure when code is set.just my opinion
8 hour drive because of low trans fluid level. The owners manual usually will instruct how to check fluids. I think he just wanted to meet you in person. Now you need to fix the trans leak.
There’s a lot more going on with that 6.0L than low on trans. fluid ! When you scan a lot of them & don’t believe a customer when he’s that desperate! After scanning since OBD 1 came out , I know a “few” things other than Don’t Eat Yellow Snow ! LOL
My brother had a 99 w/ vortec that was a really good truck for awhile. Then the seats broke, both door handles broke inside and out, passenger window wouldn't roll down-- and he never changed the oil -- so it spun a bearing and knocked like a sledge hammer. but before all that, it was a good truck; but the one he had before that was even worse at falling apart. Meanwhile, I sent an F150 to 320k miles before it finally spun a rod, and then I still have my 2002 F350 7.3L Diesel, ZF 6spd manual, 4x4 w/ manual locking hubs. 330k miles, and she can still pull an overloaded trailer up the side of a mountain. Still going strong. So yeah, from my personally experience-- chevys' are good show trucks, good highway trucks, more zippy motors- but they fall apart. Fords are more gutless, but they last and last if you just keep oil and water in them-- and the interior doesn't fall apart like a chevy or dodge. Conclusion: always buy a diesel. lol
So sad. Five years of headaches, transmission replacement, engine harness ripped apart, multiple shops ripping this guy off..... ...all over two quarts of ATF.
Prof. Kelley, Weber St. Univ., addresses “misleading statements” by Castrol, Valvoline, etc. on their ATF containers (Do not meet OEM specs.) Interesting video and Wikipedia Article.by Prof. Kelley.
Did adding transmission fluid eliminate the transmission pressure switch code? I think at some point the engine wiring harness(es) will have to be repaired.
Load test battery. Battery connections must be bright and tight. All fluid levels to spec. Engine oil pressure to spec. The devil is in the details...if you skip any of this, it will bite you.
There is an additional lesson here which has not yet been mentioned. Read the owners manual. This customer drove a long way to learn he was using an incorrect method to check the transmission fluid level. - Oh and that unwrapped wiring loom....YIKES!
Yeah I feel so lucky I learned this stuff at a young age when I couldn’t afford to not get it right
Or just read the dipstick which says same thing
Yep. One thing I learned in the army....R.T.F.M.
When I did a plug drain transmission change on my 2003 Tundra the manual specified to add 2 quarts for this procedure. I measure the drained fluid in a large graduated container that I bought for $2 from the dollar store. The drained fluid measured 3.8 quart. I added 3.5 and ended up adding a full 4 quarts. So the manual was a misprint. Always measure what you remove.
Aftermarket parts, spaghetti wiring loom, and many shops who worked on it, but did not find the problem. Thinking it's going to be a doozy of a diag. Ends up being fluid level. Goes to show, you have to have a sound troubleshooting strategy and start at the basics. That there is a huge lesson in itself.
He is sure cranking head how to charge this customer founding less oil issues finally.😆
All those mechanics and they totally dropped the ball. And people wonder why we are willing to drive hours on end to see guys like you and even Eric. O. We'ed rather pay you even if a little extra because we know it's going to get done right and once. Great work as always.
It’s amazing how there are still people in the comments saying it’s easier than ever to find a good mechanic because everyone going into the industry now loves cars… total nonsense
@@Walczyk I work in industrial maintenance and 1 thing I learned in 20 years about techs and I'm sure this rule is across the board in all trades. 10% of the people do 90% of the work properly..
@@thearch1tect249 That sounds about right haha
@@thearch1tect249 Prieto principle.
"even Eric O"? 🤣
Just your willingness to take on this nightmare souffle of issues is amazing
If I were the tech to open the hood and see that wiring I would not work on it haha
I was expecting a lot of electrical ghosts once I saw that spaghetti loom 😬
I think every subscriber here would not hesitate to drive 8 hours for your diagnostic mastery
We can blame the transmission shop for the low fluid level since the owner didn't know the correct process in using the dip stick and was confirming "fluid level is within normal" ever since the trans swap. They delivered the truck to him with 2 quarts short of normal level ! Probably a good time to drop the pan and replace the filter and refill with a full load of the same fluid anyway.
Might be a good idea to get some of that plastic loom material and at least get those wires encased from the elements and critters.
I disagree. If you are gonna check the fluid level, understand how the fluid level is correctly checked and do it accordingly. Just because the owner says, "Oh, I didn't know how to do it and I didn't do it right", does not make it someone else's fault after that moment the owner checked it, it makes it the owners' fault for not checking it right and correctly. The "Blame" stops there.
@@additudeobx No, the transmission shop gave him his truck with a 2 quart low fluid level. Truck owner isn't responsible for that. Had they done so, there would have been no problems.
@@Garth2011 Agree, unless there's a leak, they gave it to him wrong.
Lets not forget this was the original complaint with the first trans, that turned out to be the brake switch. Then more problems. You can't always trust the customers story either.
@@additudeobx Correct. Such a simple check which should be part of an owner's inspection routine, was done incorrectly. From that point on he must share the blame. It doesn't let the shop off though - they are well paid experts.
Unfortunately, when a computer is involved, the simple things are often overlooked. It's because there is so much that is unknown about what's going on in the computer. It's not just in cars and trucks, either - this sort of thing is pretty widespread in the industrial world. After a certain level of complexity is reached, it becomes almost imperative that the system be self-diagnosing - but in some cases, we still need to check power supplies and fluid levels. Easy to overlook the simple when the overall system is so complex. You did good, Ivan!
Very good point.
I'd rather watch Ivan fix cars than adult films. The results are the same.
Satisfaction? Lol
Definitely better for me, Sometimes I feel dirty after watching some of them 😉
I watch both, one is for education, the other for entertainment.
I can’t explain how much I am entertained by wiring diagrams,no parts required fixes and wave formations!
Shooting the parts cannon?
@@InsideOfMyOwnMind hahahaha!
My goodness. Nice work on your part but that's got to be frustrating for the owner.
Good lesson! I am a programmer, when I find some bugs in the lines I wrote, USUALLY, I mean 9 out of 10 times, it's going to be some really really basic stuff that went terribly wrong, and I'll never ever even think something could go wrong there
I always drive manuals-- but when other people have auto-trans issues: I go straight to the fluid level first thing, because I've seen that be the problem more than anything else.
Zomg I love it when seemingly complicated problems are solved with simple solutions.....2 qts low....nice :)
I would be embarrassed. But there's lessons learned in everything.
To repair unwrapped wiring loom first layer of tape sticky side out so the next person can open the harness without all the glue on the wires.; You are the best instructor on the internet. Keep up the excellent work
If I ever have a problem that I cannot fix I will drive from LI NY to you. DIY since 1962 only because had no funds to have someone else fix it had to learn the hard way break stuff than fix it. Bill N LI NY
Hi Bill! First layer of tape sticky side out ay? Mate that's a genius of a simple idea! I'll use that one cheers bud!
I have a 2004 Silverado 2500hd and I can tell the difference even when it’s a quart low. Transmissions are definitely happier when there full.
Im surprised how clean that fluid was! 👍
Even with 2 qts of fluid I still give this one a NPR. Well done troubleshooting...
RTFM
Yes and this goes to my LSA
Got called out yesterday to look at a K5 blazer for not shifting into overdrive. The transmission was 1 qt low but when I got back in the truck, I noticed the transfer case shifter was in low range. I placed it in high and test drove it fine. Operator error is a big one in aviation and in automotive too.
The little bird in the background is tweeting "what is that plate of spaghetti under the hood?"
I bought a ThinkCar. So I need to watch all of videos. You're great guy.
Checking an automatic transmission while engine is running. Learned something new. Thanks Ivan.
Ivan, you really looked at a lot of things and adjusted one thing (transmission fluid level). I hope the owner had you put the wire harness back together. In the end I'm sure the owner found your work well worth the drive. Thanks for Sharing! P.S. I should probably check the tranny fluid level in my old truck sometime soon!
They thing that I have gotten out of your process is each time I watch you have honed my skills on "Where to start". That is the big issue thank you!
I've worked on cars all my life and I am so jealous of Ivans knowledge. The mechanical side is so easy but the electronics is a different animal. I wish I could have went to school for this or spend some time picking Ivans brain. These videos are great and give me a better understanding of the processes, Would love to get past the guesswork or throwing parts at it. Not many guys out there with this level expertise, I can count the ones I know on one hand.
It's all about the scientific logical process 👌
@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics I've only watched a couple videos but it's awesome seeing the technology you have at your disposal and showing us how to use it. I've never had any significant diagnostic equipment, it really opens my eyes to see how figuring things out the old school way is so primitive. The LT engine with the #6 misfire was a great video, those pressure wave test are awesome the way it graphs all the cylinder pressure in crankshaft degrees and being able to compare a known live cylinder you can see exactly what's going on. It's just awesome and really opens my eyes to what I've been missing. I've definitely got to get my hands on some of this equipment. That little bump in pressure, you mentioned cylinder pressure was at -12lbs, I wonder how much vacuum it would take to pull the valve off it's seat? And what type of equipment was used to perform these pressure wave tests? Just very cool!
@@stevenbelue5496 it's a very exciting field where you learn new things every single day 😁
@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics if you ever do that pressure wave test again I would love to see the equipment used, I'm doubting it's done on the same snap on scanner you use? Could be I just know, maybe there's a pressure port that connects to the plug hole? Interested in this
@@stevenbelue5496 just watch the vids in my "Pressure Transducer" Playlist 👍
Like most diagnostics, start at the start! If it is an electrical problem check for power then grounds. If it is a shifting problem in an automatic gearbox check the level, likewise with power steering. If it is a starting problem, look for fuel first before the other stuff. Most of the basic checks are just that, basic checks. People should have to do a basic vehicle check test before getting their licences. In Russia you used to have to pass such a test to get your drivers licence. I don't know if it is still a requirement. I assumed it was because you could freeze to death if you were stuck somewhere in winter. PS I have never been to Russia.
With how bad that engine bay looked, a lot of people would have had to miss low transmission fluid when trying to diagnose it. Sounds a bit strange.
Hard to believe the solution but nonetheless well worth the 8 hour drive for a severe 5 year long headache. Would've done the same myself and bought Ivan an extra couple of beers for his thorough diagnostic skills.
Car makers should use a clear wire loom.
One just has to wipe dust and see a rare smoked wire, etc.
Clear rad hoses as well.
Then you know all's full .
WIndscreens are clear for good reasons too.
Nice one ivan :) always the code description scares me quite a bit but your steps and mindset are really easy to follow and effective.
Most automatics to check fluid...level surface, engine running AND up to normal operating temperature. It even says on the diptick all of these conditions. Sadly, like my new Tundra and many others, there no longer is a tranny dipstick.
We're all very glad you know how to interpret the waterfall of information your scanners and PICOs deliver to you, and that you can actually use that info to make vehicles work properly again. And many of us think we are following you while you're doing it, but it's like a dream at the break of day - our understanding of this esoterica, until it is as comprehensive as yours (i.e. never), seems to fade away just a few minutes after your videos are over. So we continue to watch new videos and be amazed, hoping that one day we will understand it all as well as you do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Use your graduate degrees from Penn State to write an app that consolidates and evaluates all available scanner data and then produces the exact answers DIYers need to pinpoint car problems - just an idea, but you have the knowledge, skill and organizational ability to do the job, your wonderful wife appears to tolerate your work habits, and you seem to need no sleep, so no obstacles to producing the perfect app.
Just found and subscribed to this channel, I am seriously impressed with his knowledge. I've only worked with a handful of guys that were at this level, it's rare. There's mechanics and then there's auto technicians, mechanics are a dime a dozen, techs like this is rare. I know I'm a good mechanic but I can only wish I had his tech experience.
23:53 that's the "i 'm about to crap my pants" look right there
😂
Bought a truck to flip and they had the transmission at the hot level instead of the cold level when I checked cold. It was slipping in and out of 5-6 gear on the highway. I siphoned about 2 qts out and now shifts fine and stays in gear.
Ivan, I truly enjoy watching your videos and your approach to people. Too bad you can't branch yourself out to other areas as a person of your apparent integrity is becoming more difficult to find! Keep up the great work.
Thanks Chris 👍
A case of back to basics and not beyond the basics. Valuable lesson learned. Trust, but verify.
Hard lesson for a 16 hour drive, round trip. lol
yikes
Ivan’s really good at keeping that factory “screen protector” in good shape on the thinktool
I store the scanner in a ziploc bag in the back of my truck 😂
My brother inlaws subie Outback was making lots of noise. I told him let's check the oil level. The tip of the dipstick would barely get wet. We added nearly 3 quarts of oil to the full line. The car ran much better. This car is 22 years old and over 420 kilometers. He never checked the old before because the service shop does every time they change the oil. Now he will check it weekly.
You mean to tell me all you did was put some transmission fluid in the transmission? Aren't there new trucks/vehicle that don't have a transmission dipstick? After I get the oil changed and start the engine I go around to the passenger side and pull the transmission dipstick. I didn't know about checking with the engine off on Honda cars! Great video!
If I were the owner, I'd change the engine oil. On your test drive, that oil pressure was pretty low. Around 20psi (IP Gauge) at moderate 3000rpm acceleration... should be near 40psi or higher.
Really doubt the oil quality is the issue. He should use a bore scope and check out the oil pick up
That caught my eye too, seemed kinda low.Even at nearly 200k the engine shouldn't have been that spanked.GOODJOB! Ivan.
Potentially go up an oil weight if it's not already at the max for this engine .
There’s a transmission shop near me that routinely underfills newly installed transmissions and then refuse all liability when the transmission grenades itself
They are going to do that slip shot shit to the wrong person and get something more than a returned car. Especially if they are doing it to save on tyranny fluid....
@@giggiddy Honestly after the father retired it became a shady and shitty shop. I bet they don't check the level after filling, and also don't test drive it. It's really hard to find a good shop
I see you noted it at the end. those wires sitting like that is going to cause a problem. they are going to be chaffed and short out. but what do I know! ;) oh and dont forget to check the brake fluid for water content since that apparently is a rampant problem...
Yes it could be a chew toy for a mouse
Ivan I've seen so many customers complaints with poor shifting. They all say they check fluids with engine off, very common mistake. Always check it when engine is running. I've always put a quart or two in to cure the problem! I always remind them to check it when engine running in GM trucks. That throttle body is notoriously common problem to fail if it doesn't have ac Delco part. I've always replaced Dorman crapoy part lol. Great job to do simple checks etc
I've been running into Delco throttle bodies that have issues out the box lately, had 2 in a row that would not relearn and gave the A/B correlation codes on 2 different trucks, took them back and the dealer was dumbfounded, but after a chat with them, i guess their service department got a couple bad ones too. This was on my own 04 2500HD 6.0, (old style TB) and an 06 1500 5.3, (old style TB)
@@mattcat231 parts quality is going down the drain lol
Just some simple thing not checked while running. Amazing. Good job.
8 hour joy ride. Now, 8 hour ride back. What a deal!
My guess is the throttle body is an aftermarket one and so is the sensor and that's why it's not happy with it because It doesn't look factory
THere are times I would travel 8hrs even to get news like this since at least you could trust the mechanic. I wish I had a mechanic I could trust, worse yet I am a medically retired mechanic so I trust no one. At least this customer knows there is nothing else wrong, that does give piece of mind.
Michigan here great videos keep up the good work
A Chevy from MI with 200k on it, well at least it can nicely drive itself to the scrap yard now! 😂👌
Used to give instructions on the dipstick. They don't put dipsticks in many new ones these days
Ivan, thanks for sharing your knowledge. You're a good human being.
Peace .
Absolutely it is a GM, Trans has to be full. It could need a trans service new filter and fluid. Gr8 find as always.
Thats funny, "When it is humid". When a Michigander says it is humid, it is humid like cutting a cake.
Two quarts low in a transmission is like draining 2 pints of blood out of a human. You wouldn't work too well either. He was lucky it didn't burn up the clutches, or something. Those loose wires will wear through eventually. He needs to fix that for sure.
People start driving half way across North America for your service, Ivan, and you may need to open Ivan's Motel.
Can picture the owner Muttley swearing on the drive back 😂
Ivan, you have the patience of a saint
As we say in tech support: RTFM! (Read the fine manual) 🙂
I have a few of these GM trucks 5.3 and 6.0 vans trucks fleet . One has 350,000 miles no major issues.
Minor probs with electrical .
I do all my own service repairs.
Often idiot hacker mechanics cause most issues.
Low fluid or overfilled cause foaming harsh shifting.
Yeah those are good trucks. I'm not a GM guy and I'd own one and trust it if I had a big RV to tow.
My experience with low trans fluid is harsh shifting, delayed or erratic shifts, and feelings of "dropping into neutral" and slipping or smacking back into gear. When you are low on fluid it really causes havoc with the trans. The clutches can't work with foamy airy fluid...
@@volvo09 240 Volvo best car ever made
@@MitzvosGolem1 hell yeah. I had a few 240 wagons.
I personally like the 7 and 9 series wagons the most (they are just awesomely square). I want to find another.
wow fluid level for the win
I always had good luck substitute a quart of Lucas transmission fix added hot and then drive
people get so wrapped up in trying to figure out complicated causes that they get blinded by simple stuff.
I like how you don't want to hold that nasty steering wheel.
Awesome lesson Ivan! (It's unfortunate that the owner felt the need to drive so far, for a fluid level caused issue)
Ivan, Ivan, please learn to walk away from these turds. Look, we all appreciate your ability to essentially diagnose anything but you are trying to run a business.
It was Kenny Rogers who first made a song "you got to know when to hold em, know when fold em, no when to walk away, no when to run....." That was good advice.
Guys travel this far because it is almost impossible to find good and honest technicians in most areas of the country. I know some will dispute this but that has been my experience and, well, this guy found out the hard way. By the way, Eric O. won't work on out-of-town customers anymore. He is actually getting a bit ornery. I still watch his videos but you can tell he is not really "into" doing videos anymore and I don't think he ever really liked dealing with people. He is just kind of hooked on the TH-cam money. I'd be that if he could, he'd go back to just being a relatively unknown small town mechanic.
Wow. No one thought to check the trans fluid?
One more thing. On the test drive, I noticed the oil pressure gauge was at the 20 mark. How much engine oil was in the crankcase?
Hopefully, this truck will continue to run good now. Good one Ivan.
It did have the performance code for the oil press sensor, these sensors are , well, not the best and fail often. I had a brand new AC delco one leak out of the plug, oil running down the bell housing onto the hot header, almost caught a car on fire. That said these LS based engines do run 30-35 psi on idle when hot from my experience.
I was taught ages ago when you get a new to you vehicle. R.T.F.M READ THE F-NG MANUAL. "YES MASTER SGT."
it must be hard to find a competant mechanic. myself i have always repaired my own vehicles since i was 18. after getting ripped off on car repairs a couple times before i decided to do repairs myself. you will make mistakes but thats how you learn. mechanics today need to know electronics and electrical troubleshooting
Sir, you seem to have more of an electrical 'blanket' than a harness, but on the plus side - all the wires are easily accessible
I always check the dipsticks first. Smelly brown trans fluid is usually the first sign that there's a problem that needs to be addressed. The owner is that problem.
LOL my yukon started getting funky with the transmission took me about a 1/2 hour and the master was broke who would have thought,,, leave it to gm active brake management
That was a very Expensive 2 quarts of Transmission oil for sure. Driving 8 hours one way to get his truck fixed....wow...
Another great video Ivan on a Chevy Truck.
Hear the birds in the background with not a care in the world while the vehicle owner is considering his bill!
good morning from houston texas
I had a 2017 grand Cherokee in the shop the other day, only 40,000 miles, transmission absolutely screaming when accelerating, found it was 2 quarts low and that fixed it right up. It was dry as a bone underneath so no clue where the fluid went but it was an auction car so God only knows lol
That transmission needs Dexron VI. When this is over advise customer to do a full fluid service.
👍Kevin, & “never” hand operate fly by wire throttle plates by hand, especially on “big show” video !
I think you fixed one of his issues but the transmission pressure switch code was not addressed.i bet that pressure switch is torn causing high line pressure when code is set.just my opinion
8 hour drive because of low trans fluid level. The owners manual usually will instruct how to check fluids. I think he just wanted to meet you in person. Now you need to fix the trans leak.
23:55 the squirrel survived. The squirrel that ran in front of my 03 Avalon the other day wasn't so lucky.
Oh no... RIP squirrel 😥
The only good squirrel is a dead one.
There’s a lot more going on with that 6.0L than low on trans. fluid ! When you scan a lot of them & don’t believe a customer when he’s that desperate! After scanning since OBD 1 came out , I know a “few” things other than Don’t Eat Yellow Snow ! LOL
Chris was taken to the
Cleaners by his regular
Mechanic.
Unbelievable 😭😭😭😭😭
20:20 I heard Eric O saying "uuugghhh chevy thunder"
Soo 5 years and a dozen shops later no one thought about checking the oil the right way 🤔
I rest my case your honour! LOL
Wow. Thanks Ivan!
My Chevy trucks have it written on trans dip stick “ check with engine running in park “ ?
The dope can’t read Engla !
Those GM steering wheels always go to crap..mine is not too bad..his looks like the dog has been chewing on it.. lol😎🇨🇦👍
I got beaten up with a wrong transmission dipstick. It was overfilled causing fluid to go where it shouldn't be, which caused slipping at shifts.
Expensive lesson to learn
Hard lesson for a 16 hour drive, round trip. lol
yikes.
But at the same time, it's cheaper than needing another transmission.
That evaporate code could have indicated a vacuum leak to cause the engine run rough at idle with no misfire, should have hooked up the smoker.
Love you my teaching friend.
Peace.
"Word is" from about 2008 or 2007 and older, those were the best years GM made trucks with the least amount of computer ridden headaches.
My brother had a 99 w/ vortec that was a really good truck for awhile. Then the seats broke, both door handles broke inside and out, passenger window wouldn't roll down-- and he never changed the oil -- so it spun a bearing and knocked like a sledge hammer. but before all that, it was a good truck; but the one he had before that was even worse at falling apart. Meanwhile, I sent an F150 to 320k miles before it finally spun a rod, and then I still have my 2002 F350 7.3L Diesel, ZF 6spd manual, 4x4 w/ manual locking hubs. 330k miles, and she can still pull an overloaded trailer up the side of a mountain. Still going strong. So yeah, from my personally experience-- chevys' are good show trucks, good highway trucks, more zippy motors- but they fall apart. Fords are more gutless, but they last and last if you just keep oil and water in them-- and the interior doesn't fall apart like a chevy or dodge. Conclusion: always buy a diesel. lol
So sad. Five years of headaches, transmission replacement, engine harness ripped apart, multiple shops ripping this guy off.....
...all over two quarts of ATF.
Wow, not quite an NPR, but an OFR. Oh well, We live and learn.
Thanks for the videos good learning experience
darn adds in the Netherlands are doing my head in with covid add i love your solutions hand on power grounds solutions and green crusties
Prof. Kelley, Weber St. Univ., addresses “misleading statements” by Castrol, Valvoline, etc. on their ATF containers (Do not meet OEM specs.)
Interesting video and Wikipedia
Article.by Prof. Kelley.
Tow Haul trannys use different internals. Richard @ Precision Trans now called Richard & Theresa Educational. He showed the beefier drums
Did adding transmission fluid eliminate the transmission pressure switch code?
I think at some point the engine wiring harness(es) will have to be repaired.
I'm not an expert but I'm amazed how much I know just from tinkering
That's how I learned on my 89 Mazda MPV 😅
So what you said is nobody in Michigan state was able to repair this truck?
Hi Chris! Yeah it's a pretty piss poor indictnent of most repairers huh? Get it donw quick as possible to maximuse income. Customer comes last.
Dear Ivan is there any suggestions from your side to those who are entering in the vehicle's diagnosis world like me !!
Load test battery. Battery connections must be bright and tight. All fluid levels to spec. Engine oil pressure to spec. The devil is in the details...if you skip any of this, it will bite you.