I have a friend that has a Dodge minivan that has 200,000 miles on it without a trans fluid change. He took it to a shop today and they said they wouldn't touch it with that many miles on it. What's everybody's opinion, just keep driving it or find a shop that will change it? Thanks
200,000 First Transmission Fluid Change
- Thread starter Maddog3355
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If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
Id leave it. Knowing its a dodge van means trans will likely go whether or not you change it now.. Just a matter of time.
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Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
If I works fine, why add a "fix" product?
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
If I works fine, why add a "fix" product?
At my job we dont service any transmission over 100k unless its been serviced before.
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Do NOT touch it. With that many miles on it, you have debris in the fluid and it may well be that the debris is what keeps the clutch plates from slipping. Change the fluid and the transmission may fail in short order. I can name 4 local shops that tell customers the same thing and I have been present when people with similar miles have been told this by the service managers.
But hey, you don't work for me and you said it's not even your vehicle. I would suggest you tell your friend to call a few other shops and if they DON'T want to do it, ask why? What do you have to lose?
But hey, you don't work for me and you said it's not even your vehicle. I would suggest you tell your friend to call a few other shops and if they DON'T want to do it, ask why? What do you have to lose?
Originally Posted By: gabriel9766
At my job we dont service any transmission over 100k unless its been serviced before.
Why? That makes no sense.
At my job we dont service any transmission over 100k unless its been serviced before.
Why? That makes no sense.
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
If I works fine, why add a "fix" product?
Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
With that many miles on it, you have debris in the fluid and it may well be that the debris is what keeps the clutch plates from slipping. Change the fluid and the transmission may fail in short order.
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
If I works fine, why add a "fix" product?
Originally Posted By: Ihatetochangeoil
With that many miles on it, you have debris in the fluid and it may well be that the debris is what keeps the clutch plates from slipping. Change the fluid and the transmission may fail in short order.
I don't start changing trans fluid and filters until over 100k. My wife's truck, which is a dodge, had its first fluid and filter change at 194k. It's was very clean, not a lot on magnet. My truck, dodge diesel with the dreaded 4 sp auto, had its first fluid and filter at 145k. It to was clean, with some on magnet, but certainly not excessive.
Our family SUV doesn't even have a trans dipstick. I'll probably wait until 200k to service it. It's at 30k now.
I'd change your fluid and filter if you plan on driving it for awhile.
Our family SUV doesn't even have a trans dipstick. I'll probably wait until 200k to service it. It's at 30k now.
I'd change your fluid and filter if you plan on driving it for awhile.
Originally Posted By: Maddog3355
I have a friend that has a Dodge minivan that has 200,000 miles on it without a trans fluid change. He took it to a shop today and they said they wouldn't touch it with that many miles on it. What's everybody's opinion, just keep driving it or find a shop that will change it? Thanks
The shops are afraid to service it. If it fails soon after, they will be blamed. The issue is, how it is serviced. If I were there, I would tell the friend this, and tell him to ask to have a pan drop and clean. This will help to identify the condition of the transmission and give it 5 fresh qts. of oil. Many shops will flush the transmission which will likely cause it to fail soon after. A simple pan drop will be safe and will help to verify it's condition. The trans might fail tomorrow, but it might last another 50k or more.
As an example, I bought a 2006 Chrysler T&C with 188k miles on it. It now has about 200K on it. I expect it to last another 50k or so.
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
I have a friend that has a Dodge minivan that has 200,000 miles on it without a trans fluid change. He took it to a shop today and they said they wouldn't touch it with that many miles on it. What's everybody's opinion, just keep driving it or find a shop that will change it? Thanks
The shops are afraid to service it. If it fails soon after, they will be blamed. The issue is, how it is serviced. If I were there, I would tell the friend this, and tell him to ask to have a pan drop and clean. This will help to identify the condition of the transmission and give it 5 fresh qts. of oil. Many shops will flush the transmission which will likely cause it to fail soon after. A simple pan drop will be safe and will help to verify it's condition. The trans might fail tomorrow, but it might last another 50k or more.
As an example, I bought a 2006 Chrysler T&C with 188k miles on it. It now has about 200K on it. I expect it to last another 50k or so.
Feel free to PM me if you need more info.
I would do just drain and fill once a week, for about 4-5 weeks and call it a day
I siphoned and filled my 4L60E with 165,000 miles, several times over a 2 week period 2 years ago. I was on the fence as well about dropping the pan and changing the oil and the filter at the same time with so many miles. My fluid is still nice and red, and the transmission still shifts great, 2 years later.
No slippage? Or holding a gear when accelerating?
That's why it's a mini van not a truck or towing vehicle. Any right minded person would have not postponed that simple task YOURSELF!
Power to you that the van has lasted that long. But did you buy it new? If you didn't I'm sure someone did have it changed before you. Or when someone checked it and did it without your knowledge.
Just an opinion.
That's why it's a mini van not a truck or towing vehicle. Any right minded person would have not postponed that simple task YOURSELF!
Power to you that the van has lasted that long. But did you buy it new? If you didn't I'm sure someone did have it changed before you. Or when someone checked it and did it without your knowledge.
Just an opinion.
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
Why would someone want to put that thick goup in their transmission which is likely sludged up??? I would only put only ATF 4 in it.
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
Why would someone want to put that thick goup in their transmission which is likely sludged up??? I would only put only ATF 4 in it.
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Shops won't change it for fear of it failing shortly after and getting blamed. A mechanic I knew would have people sign a release if they wanted an old transmission serviced. Tell your friend to tell the shop owner he won't hold him responsible if the transmission self destructs after a service. I'm sure he'll find someone that would be happy to accommodate him. If the transmission is operating correctly he should be OK. Usually people with high mile transmissions that weren't serviced are bringing them in because they're having a problem, hoping a service will correct it. That's why a lot of shops shy away from the work.
Originally Posted By: southernjeeper
No slippage? Or holding a gear when accelerating?
That's why it's a mini van not a truck or towing vehicle. Any right minded person would have not postponed that simple task YOURSELF!
Power to you that the van has lasted that long. But did you buy it new? If you didn't I'm sure someone did have it changed before you. Or when someone checked it and did it without your knowledge.
Just an opinion.
He bought the vehicle last month. The couple he bought it from said they didn't have it changed. It shifts good, and it don't have a hitch on it so I don't think it has towed anything.
Thanks guys for your opinions. I will pass the information on to him.
No slippage? Or holding a gear when accelerating?
That's why it's a mini van not a truck or towing vehicle. Any right minded person would have not postponed that simple task YOURSELF!
Power to you that the van has lasted that long. But did you buy it new? If you didn't I'm sure someone did have it changed before you. Or when someone checked it and did it without your knowledge.
Just an opinion.
He bought the vehicle last month. The couple he bought it from said they didn't have it changed. It shifts good, and it don't have a hitch on it so I don't think it has towed anything.
Thanks guys for your opinions. I will pass the information on to him.
Originally Posted By: Lubener
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
Why would someone want to put that thick goup in their transmission which is likely sludged up??? I would only put only ATF 4 in it.
Sludged up transmission?
Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
If it works fine, CHANGE IT... and add a bottle of Lucas transmission fix.
Why would someone want to put that thick goup in their transmission which is likely sludged up??? I would only put only ATF 4 in it.
Sludged up transmission?
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