1991 Caprice 5.0l Tranny Fluid

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WyrTwister

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Anyone know if the Caprice transmission has the drain plug to drain the torque converter , in addition to the pan ?

How many quarts of fluid is needed for a drain ?

I ordered some Havoline Dexron VI for an newer Chevy . Could not tell from the advertisement if this is full synthetic or a blend ?

Should have some left over . Is the Dexron VI backwards comparable to the Dexron in the Caprice ? Or do I need to buy Dexron 3 for the Caprice ?

Looking at filter kit for the Caprice . Wix seems to be medium price . Would that be a quality filter / gasket ?

God bless
Wyr
 
Originally Posted By: neil57
Do not use dex6 , it is a full synthetic that is not compatible with the seals in your trans. Use dex 3 and all will be good.


Dexron-VI is backward compatible with Dexron-III and is usually a synthetic blend, unless otherwise specified. Besides, Dexron-III is no longer licensed/regulated.

I'd use the D-VI you have at hand and call it a day.
 
One person says yes , the second person says no ? Maybe some people will chime in ?

Amazon is slow shipping . Should arrive between 20 - 25 th of August , according to the latest email . So , I have a little time before it arrives .

I thought had read Dexron VI was backwards compatible , but wanted to verify that I was not mistaken . I had guessed that the minimum for Dexron VI was a synthetic blend . Does anyone know if the Havoline Dexron VI is a blend or full synthetic ?

Still looking for information whether the torque converter has a drain plug . And how many total quarts I need for the transmission they put behind the 5.0l V-8 ?

Oh , and how about suggestions on the filter / gasket . Was considering WIX ?

God bless
Wyr
 
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The Dexron-VI is supposed to be backwards compatible, and it won't be fully synthetic, generally speaking. If you're really concerned, something like MaxLife would probably do the trick. As for capacity and torque converter design, I'm not positive. In the taxis of that vintage, we just had the transmission shop deal with such things.
 
Originally Posted By: neil57
Do not use dex6 , it is a full synthetic that is not compatible with the seals in your trans. Use dex 3 and all will be good.


That's complete bull. If I can use it in my old '94 BMW then it can be used anywhere.
 
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
One person says yes , the second person says no ? Maybe some people will chime in ?

Amazon is slow shipping . Should arrive between 20 - 25 th of August , according to the latest email . So , I have a little time before it arrives .

I thought had read Dexron VI was backwards compatible , but wanted to verify that I was not mistaken . I had guessed that the minimum for Dexron VI was a synthetic blend . Does anyone know if the Havoline Dexron VI is a blend or full synthetic ?

Still looking for information whether the torque converter has a drain plug . And how many total quarts I need for the transmission they put behind the 5.0l V-8 ?

Oh , and how about suggestions on the filter / gasket . Was considering WIX ?

God bless
Wyr


Base oil aside, the biggest difference between Dexron-III and Dexron-VI is viscosity. VI is a low viscosity fluid that maintains its viscosity (~6 cSt IIRC), compared to III which starts off thicker and thins down more. Your '91 was originally spec'd for Dexron-II. If it were me, I would skip the backdated specs and go with Dexron-VI.

On a '91, you will most probably have a THM 700 R4. According to this, if you look at page 59, you need 4.7L for a pan drop. If you're doing a cooler line flush, I'd go ahead and get 12L or so. Wix filters are good.
 
I just did a lot of reading up on Dex VI in an older transmission. I didn't see any posts where it caused issues with the transmission failing or leaking after switching to Dex VI.

I have an 80s Toyota automatic transmission in my Jeep Cherokee. The drain plug calls for DexII. I have been using Dex III or Merc V since I have owned it.

After doing a bit of research, I found that Dex VI won't do anything but help extend the life of the transmission. Over the weekend I did a 3 quart drain/fill with Dex VI. I will probably do the same next summer as well.

So far, I have noticed that the 1-2 shift isn't as harsh as it was before. It isn't slipping. Just smoother shift.
 
Your torque converter probably doesn't have a drain plug. Most cars don't unless the transmission has been rebuilt. Take the dust cover off and have someone bar over the engine while you look for a drain plug to find out.

My worthless and unsolicited opinion: Although Dexron VI has been backspecced, if Dexron III was good enough for a 2005 Chevrolet, it will be great for your 1991. Just get a trusted brand like Pennzoil, Mobil, or Chevron. You might look for the IIIh spec, it was the newest before VI came out. Mobil used to list it on their label.
 
My advice is to use a GENUINE DEXRON-VI (look on gmpowertrain.com for the list). They are pretty much all Group III based formulations.
There is no such thing as DEXRON-III any longer so claims to that effect have no foundation or guarantee, don't go there.
 
Originally Posted By: Whitewolf
My advice is to use a GENUINE DEXRON-VI (look on gmpowertrain.com for the list). They are pretty much all Group III based formulations.
There is no such thing as DEXRON-III any longer so claims to that effect have no foundation or guarantee, don't go there.


Being careful to note that not all licensed brand names show up on that list. Walmart's Supertech brand is licensed but one of the nameless ones listed under Afton.
 
I have Maxlife in my 92 Caprice and all of my other GM transmissions, and no issues, even after many thousands of miles.

Do a cooler line flush. It's the first step in doing a pan drop anyway, as the first "purge" will clear the trans pan of fluid. This will leave you without the concern of a waterfall of transmission fluid coming down when you unbolt the pan. Simply replace your filter and gasket, put the pan back in, and continue the cooler line flush.

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=233364
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Yep Supertech DexronVI is the best bang for the buck


That's what I ended up throwing in the Cherokee. It was a bit more expensive (new product, Walmart has to pay licensing, I understand) than the gallon of DexIII, but I figured I would go for it.

On a site note, I see that Supertech is now producing a MerconV ... I wish they did that when I had a vehicle that used it instead of having to pay $8 a quart at Advance Auto for it.
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: Whitewolf
My advice is to use a GENUINE DEXRON-VI (look on gmpowertrain.com for the list). They are pretty much all Group III based formulations.
There is no such thing as DEXRON-III any longer so claims to that effect have no foundation or guarantee, don't go there.


Being careful to note that not all licensed brand names show up on that list. Walmart's Supertech brand is licensed but one of the nameless ones listed under Afton.


Walmart is on the rebrand list but they obviously have not yet supplied GM with the brand name. However you should be able to see the licence number on the label.
 
I actually prefer Maxlife before DexronVI but mostly because I can still buy it in gallons for $16, which is about the same price as Supertech DexronVI. All of the GM 4 speeds do very well on either
 
I think the Caprice has overdrive . Is that what you mean by 4 speed ?

Where can I get the Maxlife for $ 16 a gallon ?

Thanks ,
Wyr
God bless
 
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I think the Caprice has overdrive . Is that what you mean by 4 speed ?

Where can I get the Maxlife for $ 16 a gallon ?

Thanks ,
Wyr
God bless


Yes! The Caprice has a 4 speed overdrive transmission. 4th gear being the OD gear!

As for finding MaxLife ATF at or around $16, look in the Walmart auto section or on Amazon!

Good luck,

CB
 
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I looked at MaxLife while I was at Walmart , this past weekend . The gallon jug was something like $ 17.87 . I read on the back of the jug & it does say it is Dexron VI rated .

I think Valvoline also sells an ATF in a blue bottle that says on the front Dexron VI . It seems to be a little more $$$ . Also , I do not know if it is packaged in gallons ?

God bless
Wyr
 
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