Overloading a converter can result in several failure modes, some of them potentially dangerous in nature: Torque Converter Overheating: Continuous high levels of slippage may overwhelm the torque converter's ability to dissipate heat, resulting in damage to the elastomer seals that retain fluid inside the torque converter. This will cause the torque converter to leak and eventually stop functioning due to lack of transmission fluid.
Torque Converter Stator Clutch Seizure: The inner and outer elements of the one way stator clutch become permanently locked together, thus preventing the stator from rotating during the coupling phase. Most often, seizure is precipitated by severe loading and subsequent distortion of the clutch components. Eventually, galling of the mating parts occurs, which triggers seizure. A torque converter with a seized stator clutch will exhibit very poor efficiency during the coupling phase, and in a motor vehicle, fuel consumption will drastically increase. Torque converter overheating under such conditions will usually occur if continued operation is attempted.
Toque Converter Stator Clutch Breakage: A very abrupt application of power can cause shock loading to the stator clutch, resulting in breakage. When this occurs, the stator will freely counter-rotate the pump and almost no power transmission will take place. In an automobile, the effect is similar to a severe case of transmission slippage and the vehicle is all but incapable of moving under its own power.
Torque Converter Blade Deformation and Fragmentation: Due to abrupt loading or excessive heating of the converter, the pump and/or turbine blades may be deformed, separated from their hubs and/or annular rings, or may break up into fragments. At the least, such a failure will result in a significant loss of efficiency, producing symptoms similar (although less pronounced) to those accompanying stator clutch failure. In extreme cases, catastrophic destruction of the torque converter will occur.
Torque Converter Ballooning: Prolonged operation under excessive loading, very abrupt application of load, or operating a torque converter at very high RPM may cause the shape of the converter's housing to be physically distorted due to internal pressure and/or the stress imposed by centrifugal force. Under extreme conditions, ballooning will cause the converter housing to rupture, resulting in the violent dispersal of hot oil and metal fragments over a wide area.
Are you experiencing loss of power upon acceleration? Is your automatic transmission unable to go into gear? Is your automatic transmission not shifting? Is your automatic transmission shifting hard or sifting late? Is your automatic transmission slipping? Is you automatic transmission making a chatter or grinding noise? Is your automatic transmission leaking fluid? Is your car or truck not drivable? Sergeant Clutch Discount Transmission Repair Shop in San Antonio, Texas offers FREE Transmission Performance Check.
