Loss of power/torque starting cold

midlifejeepcrisis · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:26 pm **Posts:** 18

Not sure where to post this issue, but here goes. Over the past winter I noticed that when I start the engine cold and then put the transmission in drive or reverse, it no longer is raring to go. I used to have to keep my foot on the brake to hold back the horses. Now I have to push on the accelerator and wind up the turbo to get it to start crawling. Does anyone have any ideas what is going on? It seems to run fine after I get it going, although there is a vibration that started over the winter as well. I'm thinking it is the exhaust. So maybe there is a leak somewhere and the turbo is losing pressure? I'm no mechanic, and never had a diesel before this vehicle, so owning this CRD has been a bit of an adventure at times. Thanks for any input.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 3:52 pm

When this happens does it feel like the transmission is not "engaged"? Try this - crank up, shift transmission into neutral (not Park), bring the engine rpm up to ca. 1,200-1,500, hold that rpm for 20 seconds, take foot off of go pedal, shift transmission into R or D whichever is appropriate, drive off. Does it now drive normally? If so you have the not uncommon transmission fluid drain back issue (e.g. when parked for 6-8 hrs or longer fluid in the transmission drains back into the sump and the transmission won't work properly until fluid is pumped back out of the sump). If not ignore the rest of this post as I don't know what your problem is based on the small amount of information posted.

Things to try if the high idle in neutral helps:
1. add 1qt of ATF+4 to the tranny - sometimes this issue is just related to low transmission fluid
2. have the transmission serviced with ATF+4 and name brand filters (both of them) - one filter has an anti-drainback valve that sometimes fails.
3. live with the issue and just do the high idle trick when this happens
4. some report replacing the transmission front pump solves the problem but this requires dropping the transmission.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Apr 02, 2015 4:07 pm

Everything Pap stated is spot on, especially the place or start in neutral trick for about 10 seconds before placing the tranny in drive or reverse and / or adding 1 additional Qt. of ATF+4 fluid to the tranny. One or the other or a combination of both should solve your problem.
Tranny filter and oil change is not a bad idea either if it has not been done lately! :wink:

These transmission dipsticks are notorious for not reading the correct oil level. Low oil level can cause the pump to suck air and make foam which will cause a hesitation at startup.... :roll:

I run mine about 1/2 inch above the Full when Hot mark at all times with no hesitation at startup... :!:

midlifejeepcrisis · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:26 pm **Posts:** 18

Thanks for the input guys. I will try your suggestion. I bought my CRD (which I lovingly call the "Heep") in August 2012, used of course. Had around 84,000 miles on it. Right after the dealership warranty ran out, the transmission died. Not trusting the stealership, I took it to a real transmission place. They replaced the tranny with a rebuilt. It's always had a full level of tranny fluid when I checked it. Although I will admit it's probably been a couple months since I checked it. Last fall I noticed that after I would drive it to work (50 minute drive), leave it parked for two or three hours, go to leave for onsite work or lunch, I would start it, put it in gear, and it would hesitate for a few seconds but then slam into gear. It didn't always do it though. Now it doesn't do the "slam into gear" thing anymore.

midlifejeepcrisis · **Joined:** Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:26 pm **Posts:** 18

Well, I tried running the engine around 1500 RPM at startup for a few seconds. That seems to do the trick. I checked the tranny oil level when it was cold and it reads the same as I remember it did in the past, which is well above the full mark. So maybe it is the anti-drainback feature of the filter has failed? I guess as long as it doesn't hurt anything, I will just live with it.

Loss of power/torque starting cold

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