700r4 slipping in cold weather

[gwandro]

I just bought a 82 Silverado. Did a little bit of work on it. Was running and driving perfect until today. It just got super cold and snowed. I took it on a drive and the transmission is now slipping for some reason. Was shifting perfectly the day before. Shifts out of first fine. Then 2nd slips a bit and all the other gears it slips the entire time and I can barely go above 45. I just don’t see how a transmission can go from perfect to junk from nothing

 

[bucket]

I just bought a 82 Silverado. Did a little bit of work on it. Was running and driving perfect until today. It just got super cold and snowed. I took it on a drive and the transmission is now slipping for some reason. Was shifting perfectly the day before. Shifts out of first fine. Then 2nd slips a bit and all the other gears it slips the entire time and I can barely go above 45. I just don’t see how a transmission can go from perfect to junk from nothing

I've had several 700r4's that were perfectly fine right up until they suddenly weren't perfectly fine.

There's a 700r4 info thread going here that's full of information. How's the fluid look and smell? If it's full and checks out ok, I think you'll need a pressure gauge to use in the test port.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I just don’t see how a transmission can go from perfect to junk from nothing

You just bought it? If so, I'm willing to bet that thing was on it's way out for some time and the prev owner poured a barrel full of lube guard stop slip to make it work long enough to survive any test drives prospective buyers may take with it...This assumes you dont know the previous owner.

Do a line pressure test like @bucket suggested and let us know the results.

 

[AuroraGirl]

also confirm the truck isnt suffering a severe weather related driveability complaint. you explained enough it does seem to be slipping, but severe hesitation, misfire, and poor combustion could be magnifiying a "minor" problem to be the entire trans. just seems suspicious its only cold.

 

[gwandro]

You just bought it? If so, I'm willing to bet that thing was on it's way out for some time and the prev owner poured a barrel full of lube guard stop slip to make it work long enough to survive any test drives prospective buyers may take with it...This assumes you dont know the previous owner.

Do a line pressure test like @bucket suggested and let us know the results.

When I did a check over on it the fluid was actually low so it wasn’t shifting perfect but was decent. Then I topped it off and that’s when it was perfect with no problems. I checked it again after having the problem and it’s still full with no leaks.

 

[bucket]

also confirm the truck isnt suffering a severe weather related driveability complaint. you explained enough it does seem to be slipping, but severe hesitation, misfire, and poor combustion could be magnifiying a "minor" problem to be the entire trans. just seems suspicious its only cold.

For a second there, I thought you were starting to suggest "hey dummy, were you driving on ice?"

 

[PrairieDrifter]

For a second there, I thought you were starting to suggest "hey dummy, were you driving on ice?"

It's a valid thought though! I'm sure he wouldn't be the first or last to think the trans is slipping when it gets snowy

 

[Ricko1966]

It's a valid thought though! I'm sure he wouldn't be the first or last to think the trans is slipping when it gets snowy

I knew a guy that put a 502 into a 67 Chevelle with fairly stock size tires. He thought the transmission was slipping on the highway,nope it was spinning the tires.

 

[AuroraGirl]

For a second there, I thought you were starting to suggest "hey dummy, were you driving on ice?"

I mean.. if someones never done it before, the roaring 305 would easily cause slippage
But the biggest indication there, the speedometer would jump and once regained traction, a little side to side wobble lol

 

[AuroraGirl]

When I did a check over on it the fluid was actually low so it wasn’t shifting perfect but was decent. Then I topped it off and that’s when it was perfect with no problems. I checked it again after having the problem and it’s still full with no leaks.

how are you checking the fluid?

 

[gwandro]

how are you checking the fluid?

Drove drove it for a bit until getting on open road and figuring out how bad it was and checked it while it was running. Was right on the line at full. Right color and doesn’t smell burnt.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Drove drove it for a bit until getting on open road and figuring out how bad it was and checked it while it was running. Was right on the line at full. Right color and doesn’t smell burnt.

can you show us your carburetor linkages and confirm what the TV cable does when its off the throttle lever
like does travel in and out, do you need to depress the adjusting tab. is there slack in the line at rest/closed or is it taught, whats it look like when its snapped open

 

[AuroraGirl]

Drove drove it for a bit until getting on open road and figuring out how bad it was and checked it while it was running. Was right on the line at full. Right color and doesn’t smell burnt.

are you also putting it into each gear range for sufficient time
And im not convinced we are sure you have adequate cooler flow ,could you point them suckers into a bucket and just see what kind of action a quick turn on the engine does