Auto Transmission/Oil sounds “sloshy” at low temps. Is this normal?

[EazyCheezy]

Please let me know if I’m being paranoid. My auto BD (1400 miles) 2.3L transmission oil sounds what can only be described as “sloshy” when I accelerate right after I start the car. Once it heats up to about 160F-180F the noise goes away. Am I right to assume this is just from the viscosity changing as it heats?

Also, when I first start the car and shift into reverse it makes a noticeable clunk. Again, after the oil heats, it’s fine. Thanks in advance.

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[2020FordRaptor]

Please let me know if I’m being paranoid. My auto BD (1400 miles) 2.3L transmission oil sounds what can only be described as “sloshy” when I accelerate right after I start the car. Once it heats up to about 160F-180F the noise goes away. Am I right to assume this is just from the viscosity changing as it heats?

Also, when I first start the car and shift into reverse it makes a noticeable clunk. Again, after the oil heats, it’s fine. Thanks in advance.

Well that is horrible for the car to do mild to hard accelerations right off of a cold start, since the engine doesn't have enough time to get to operating temperature. If it is slow soft accelerations to barely get the vehicle up to speed, than you should take it to a dealer for warranty work. Either way I would take it to a dealer for warranty work. That's what it's there for.

 

[EazyCheezy]

Well that is horrible for the car to do mild to hard accelerations right off of a cold start, since the engine doesn't have enough time to get to operating temperature. If it is slow soft accelerations to barely get the vehicle up to speed, than you should take it to a dealer for warranty work. Either way I would take it to a dealer for warranty work. That's what it's there for.

Sorry let me clarify that I'm not dogging it right after start. I do let it warm up a bit and even on soft accelerations it does it.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Sorry let me clarify that I'm not dogging it right after start. I do let it warm up a bit and even on soft accelerations it does it.

Okay. Thanks for the clarification. I would take it to your dealer to have them check it out under warranty. That's what warranty is for and the last thing that needs to happen to you is for your tranny to go out after warranty. Nots saying that would happen I just would simply take it to the dealer for warranty work.

 

[M4Madness]

Serious question: How do you know that you are hearing transmission fluid sloshing around?

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Please let me know if I’m being paranoid. My auto BD (1400 miles) 2.3L transmission oil sounds what can only be described as “sloshy” when I accelerate right after I start the car. Once it heats up to about 160F-180F the noise goes away. Am I right to assume this is just from the viscosity changing as it heats?

Also, when I first start the car and shift into reverse it makes a noticeable clunk. Again, after the oil heats, it’s fine. Thanks in advance.

Hey there! I can look into your Bronco’s noise concerns on my end if you’d like. Will you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership info?

 

[66Fan]

Serious question: How do you know that you are hearing transmission fluid sloshing around?

I agree... The transmission fluid is usually behind an inch or two of aluminum and under high pressure. We can speculate all day, but I'd doubt that is it.
Another serious possibility is low coolant, or air trapped in the heater core. Each of those would present a gurgling sound in the firewall area prior to reaching normal operating temperature.
Again... all pure speculation.

The service department is typically far better at diagnosis than the internet.

The internet is usually best suited for law and foreign policy expertise.

 

[EazyCheezy]

I agree... The transmission fluid is usually behind an inch or two of aluminum and under high pressure. We can speculate all day, but I'd doubt that is it.
Another serious possibility is low coolant, or air trapped in the heater core. Each of those would present a gurgling sound in the firewall area prior to reaching normal operating temperature.
Again... all pure speculation.

The service department is typically far better at diagnosis than the internet.

The internet is usually best suited for law and foreign policy expertise.

yeah I’m just going to take it in.

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