06 Jeep GC tranny service advice please

[AZjeff]

OK, just bought this 06 GC, 3.7L 6 cyl with the NAG1/W5A580 trans, 68K. I'm going to change the filter and replace the fluid as the owner's manual requires. I'm OK with MOPAR factory parts/fluid if that's the best choice but open to suggestions if something is better than MOPAR ATF+4. Also considering siphoning 2 quarts out of the dipstick tube and replacing at 1K intervals twice to get the percentage of fresh fluid in the tranny higher.

thanks for any thoughts & advice.

 

[hate2work]

Is this one of the "lifetime" fluid trannies? Any way to do a complete flush on it rather than just a drain and refill?

I'm a big Amsoil atf fan, and that would work well for your tranny. Is it better than the Mopar stuff? I hope so

 

[demarpaint]

Chrysler says 120,000 miles [or some off the wall amount] for my 08 Liberty before the tranny has to be serviced. LOL They even took the "Liberty" of leaving out a dipstick. I made my own.

OP- I would suggest a pan drop, and filter change, followed by a fluid exchange via a transmission line, or do extractions via the fill tube. Find out the total capacity of the unit, and add 50% to that amount to be sure you get most of the old fluid out. When I say 50% more I don't mean overfill it by 50%. I mean if the unit holds 10 qts total do your pan drop, and line exchange or tube extraction and replace a total of about 15 qts. That should do a good job getting fresh fluid in the unit. You can do the pan drop one day, and the fluid swap another. If you do an extraction via the fill tube you can probably draw close to 4 qts out, measure the amount replace it with fresh fluid. Go for a short drive and repeat, until you've totaled 15 qts including the pan drop.

Any brand ATF+4 is good, I went with Castrol, from AAP and used one of their online promos to buy it. AAP has a deal now, spend $100 online, and get a code for $50 off your next purchase. It might be just the ticket for this project. HTH

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted By: hate2work

Is this one of the "lifetime" fluid trannies? Any way to do a complete flush on it rather than just a drain and refill?

I'm a big Amsoil atf fan, and that would work well for your tranny. Is it better than the Mopar stuff? I hope so

No, 60K service interval. Calls for filter replacement and replace lost fluid. No dipstick (but the tube is there) so they want it to be dealer service. Everyone in my small town uses BG Products for a flush. I've got nothing against BGP at all but they aren't on MOPAR's licensed suppliers of ATF+4 so I'm just reluctant to put it in the tranny. Amsoil has a stellar rep but I see they aren't on MOPAR's licensed list either. Wonder why? Cost?

 

[AZjeff]

Thanks for the tip demarpaint. I see the offer but don't see any ATF+4 Castrol listed. Your capacity + 50% will certainly replace most of the old fluid.

 

[hate2work]

Originally Posted By: AZjeff
Originally Posted By: hate2work

Is this one of the "lifetime" fluid trannies? Any way to do a complete flush on it rather than just a drain and refill?

I'm a big Amsoil atf fan, and that would work well for your tranny. Is it better than the Mopar stuff? I hope so

No, 60K service interval. Calls for filter replacement and replace lost fluid. No dipstick (but the tube is there) so they want it to be dealer service. Everyone in my small town uses BG Products for a flush. I've got nothing against BGP at all but they aren't on MOPAR's licensed suppliers of ATF+4 so I'm just reluctant to put it in the tranny. Amsoil has a stellar rep but I see they aren't on MOPAR's licensed list either. Wonder why? Cost?


Not sure what you mean by they aren't on MOPAR'S licensed list. On the Amsoil website it lists their ATF as being compatible with Mopar AS68RC. I'm guessing you're out of warranty, so that's not an issue, right?

Let us know what you do

 

[unDummy]

License doesn't mean anything. No point in dumbing down a quality fluid for an OE license. And yes, it would cost more and perform worse. Amsoil/BG/Wynns/Redline/RoyalPurple/Amalie... would be great choices.

You can buy the dipstick online or at the dealership.

BG ATF is great. Notice how they push 30k intervals for their warranty. I recommend 30k intervals with ANY ATF!
http://www.bgprotectionplan.com/protection-plan.html

You should complete flush that 68k fluid.

 

[AZjeff]

I had the impression that Chrysler developed ATF+4 and they have a list of licensed ATF+4 brands here: http://www.centerforqa.com/

I never said I was committed to MOPAR product, just that if it's the best choice I don't have a problem paying for it. How would it be dumbing down a product to have it licensed to a certain spec? One would hope it would be a minimum spec not a maximum..

The most common thing in the retail world is to claim your product is better than the original. BG seems like it could be a convenient one stop shop solution for shops rather than a better product but their rep seems solid here. I'm just being cautious as this Jeep was a big investment for us that I want to last a long time.

thanks for the help so far.

 

[unDummy]

Dumbing down a product to force an lower grade base oil or obsolete additive technology. Would you want the GroupIII base stock from ATF+4, the GroupIV from Amsoil, or GroupV from Redline?
Do you want to use an additive package developed in the '90s or something developed more recently that is more advanced?

ATF+4 is a great ATF. But, there are other options. And, I'd wager that some are better without a license.

 

[cbear]

Here's how I did it.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...806#Post2060806

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: AZjeff
Thanks for the tip demarpaint. I see the offer but don't see any ATF+4 Castrol listed. Your capacity + 50% will certainly replace most of the old fluid.


I hate their site. You can go to the site, then call them, they do carry it. Ask how to place the order online to take advantage of the discounts. Castrol ATF+4 is fine for your vehicle it is a top quality fluid and meets all the specs for your Jeep transmission.

 

[hsd]

AZjeff - I changed my 06 GC V6 ATF at 34k miles using your method. You can siphon 3+ quarts at a time from the dipstick tube. Just put back the same amout you take out. I did mine twice over 2 days so it has about 6 quarts of new ATF mixed with the remaining old which didnt look all that bad when it came out. In my opinion you can use any ATF+4 including Supertec from Wallyworld. I used NAPA since it was on sale at the time.

 

[AZjeff]

Thanks to the great responses I have a solid plan that I'm confident in.

Siphon as much fluid as possible out of dipstick tube.
Drop pan, replace filter, weld on bung for drain plug.
Replace pan & fluid, get trans to operating temp, siphon & replace 3X.
Take to Jeep dealer to confirm good fluid level, record level with new dipstick.

No interference on the Grand Cherokee with the crossover pipe so the job looks pretty straight forward. This Jeep had tranny warranty work @ 19K and the work order lists 8 qts of fluid so I'm really at 50K right now.

Many thanks for the help, it's really appreciated. Who'da ever thought, an oil geek site.

Jeff

 

[cbear]

I don't know a lot about welding, but my pan is galvanized. I thought it was bad to weld galvanized metal, poisonous gas or something.

 

[unDummy]

Originally Posted By: cbear
I don't know a lot about welding, but my pan is galvanized. I thought it was bad to weld galvanized metal, poisonous gas or something.


Then, don't weld an enclosed area. Weld outside, turn a fan on, and know the way the wind is blowing. You also prep the area with a dremel or grinder.

If the pan is thick enough, you can tap it.

Another option is a drain plug kit which just requires a hole to be drilled.

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted By: cbear
I don't know a lot about welding, but my pan is galvanized. I thought it was bad to weld galvanized metal, poisonous gas or something.


No worries. It's good to have a son who's a certified pipeline welder.