Amsoil MTF, 10143 miles, 2004.5 Dodge NV5600

[SteveD2]

Amsoil MTF and 2004.5 Dodge NV5600...10,143 miles on the MTF...

ALUMINUM 3
CHROMIUM 0
IRON 12
COPPER 4
LEAD 2
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 0
NICKEL 0
MANGANESE 1
SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 1
BORON 5
SILICON 31
SODIUM 3
CALCIUM 332
MAGNESIUM 3296
PHOSPHORUS 1306
ZINC 951
BARIUM 1

SUS Viscosity @ 210*F = 54.2
Flashpoint in *F = 410
% Water = 0.0
% Insolubles = Trace

STEVE: We didn't find any obvious sign of a problem in this transmission. Wear was very low in this sample. Universal averages are based on an oil run of ~19,700 miles. We are not sure why you need to change the oil to make the transmission shift better, except that when you change the oil it removes any contaminants and/or wear metals that have accumulated in the system, which makes it easier for your transmission to do its job. No moisture was found and the trace of insolubles is not a problem. Is this MTF okay to use, per the manufacturer, in this transmission?

My shifting is sorta stiff...let me know what this means!!

steved

 

[Brett Miller]

This oil looks like it held up very well. What fluid does Chrysler recommend?

 

[SteveD2]

Their version of Synchromesh, which I believe someone stated was made by Texaco??

The oil is correct for the application...

steved

 

[Pablo]

Wear metals are nothing. Oil did thin a bit, from 9.6 to 8.5 - this may be why your shifting isn't as smooth any more. I say, use 1 qt of MTG next time. Bump the starting viscosity up near 11 cSt @ 100°C or so.

NICE GL-4 sized additive pack, btw.

 

[SteveD2]

Quote:

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Wear metals are nothing. Oil did thin a bit, from 9.6 to 8.5 - this may be why your shifting isn't as smooth any more. I say, use 1 qt of MTG next time. Bump the starting viscosity up near 11 cSt @ 100°C or so.

NICE GL-4 sized additive pack, btw.

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That's the kind of answer I was looking for...a possible reason for the "sticky" shifting!! Well, I guess I see what I'll be doing in a month or so (after it warms up a bit!)...

steved

 

[Tempest]

Quote:

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NICE GL-4 sized additive pack, btw.

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Sure looks that way! Though it would be nice to see the sulphur content. I figured it would shear 1 cSt (VII's?), which should make it nice for my ATF tranny.

I can't wait to get this into my Ranger (after the ARX treatment)!

ETA: I just noticed the "MAGNESIUM 3296"? Is this an additive? Seems sky high...

 

[Harley Anderson]

Steve I will be sampling the same oil on my 5600 with 30k on the oil soon. Wear numbers look like a normal UOA. In some of the older threads some of the manual transmissions had really high copper and iron levels. At least you know everything is wearing well inside.

 

[Harley Anderson]

Also I've always had a problem shifting when cold, but never after driving some distance. The Amsoil has outdone itself compared to the Pennzoil that it came with, which I ran for 15k.

 

[SteveD2]

Quote:

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ETA: I just noticed the "MAGNESIUM 3296"? Is this an additive? Seems sky high...

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I would not know where the magneium would be introduced short the oil additive package...Pablo???

Overall I'm pleased with the amsoil...the trans does shift marginally better when warm...but even after adding the LSD additive, it's not perfect. I found some lubeguard gear supplement I'm going to try...

Who knows, I might actually be running it too cold with the FastCoolers installed...

steved

 

[Tempest]

Quote:

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I would not know where the magneium would be introduced short the oil additive package...Pablo???

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Depending on what the knowledgeable people say here, I would seriously ask the lab the re-run the test for Mg or ask them what they think about the high number (wear or additive). They may have missed this # in their recommendations.

 

[SteveD2]

Quote:

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Quote:

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I would not know where the magneium would be introduced short the oil additive package...Pablo???

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Depending on what the knowledgeable people say here, I would seriously ask the lab the re-run the test for Mg or ask them what they think about the high number (wear or additive). They may have missed this # in their recommendations.

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I just emailed them about it...I'll see what Blackstone has to say. The sample I collected was straight MTF, no additives.

steved

 

[Pablo]

AS for the Mg - it probably is an additive in the oil. Honestly this is the first time I've seen the numbers on MTF. The package seems to prevent wear. But yeah that number is HUGE. Sorry I wish could be more helpful - but for sure it's nothing to worry about.

 

[SteveD2]

I received word from Blackstone that the high MG is an additive in the oil itself...

steved

 

[Pablo]

As I stated.

So basically now you are just waiting for warm weather?

 

[SteveD2]

Quote:

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As I stated.

So basically now you are just waiting for warm weather?

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I'll probably change it in another month or so...then leave it in for a while...this batch is only about 3 months old...

steved

 

[unDummy]

Looks excellent. A little bit of shearing which is normal for MTs.
Since wear is minimal, this is one fluid to stick with.

If you think that the shifting is caused by the shearing, then step up the viscosity. Blend in the MTG with the MTF at any ratio you think is acceptable. 25% is a good starting point.

 

[SteveD2]

Quote:

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If you think that the shifting is caused by the shearing, then step up the viscosity. Blend in the MTG with the MTF at any ratio you think is acceptable. 25% is a good starting point.

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I don't know what to think about the shift quality...based on what I have read here, I was guessing that shearing was the culprit? I would like to hear anyone else's thoughts if they feel otherwise...I would hate to chase the wrong thing...

The trans holds upward of 7 quarts now (with the FastCoolers), so I was going to start with a quart of MTG and the remainder with MTF...not quite 25%, but it would give me a starting point to work from, that I can adjust later.

steved

 

[TheTanSedan]

Since I just bought an '04 CTD w/NV-5600 with 120,000 miles I changed the fluid pronto. Used factory fluid (same as for NV-3500). Shifting is a bit sticky (I'm not used to a synchronized transmission, but getting there) and an improvement would be nice. The drained fluid didn't look too bad, and there was no "real" change in shift quality (beyond wishful thinking).

Any news from the thread originator on his unit? I see posts by others on diesel boards as to their "solutions" , but this is still the place for fluids information. I really like this tranny as is, but, an improvement, within spec, is still an improvement.

 

[Tempest]

The OP has been

 

[unDummy]

The UOA shows that the Amsoil protected well.
Dump the syncromesh and give the MTF a run.
Also, overfill it by a pint.

Shifting with a truck will always be sticky because its a truck.