CVT and salt water

[newfiecharger]

Hi,

I have a 07 Dodge Caliber with a CVT transmission that was in a flood. Never checked the CVT fluid because there is no transmission stick. OIn a long drive the car went in limp mode to protect the transmission. I got it home and put the oil dip stick into the transmission and came out white fluid and very thick. The fluid for this car is Mopar CVTF+4 at $30.00 CAN. Could I flush the CVT with regular (cheap) ATF fluid and then add CVTF+4 once I have all the bad fluid out? Will this cause any problems?


Thanks

 

[Quest]

While I don't think ordinary ATF fluid is compatable with CVT fluid, granted that there is a way to get a thorough fluid exchange, I cannot see why you cannot use ordinary ATF fluid to flush your system and then replace all the fluid with CVT fluids.

Good luck.

Q.

 

[newfiecharger]

To flush I was going to take the pan off and dran 4 quarts, run the car through the gears and flush again until its red ATF. To get the CVT fluid in I was going to buy 8 quarts and flush 4 quarts trough the CVT. I guess I will have a little ATF left in the CVT. Would this damage the CVT (running a small amount of ATF with CVT?)

 

[Kestas]

I helped some engineers do product development work on CVTs. They used ATF in the early stages of development. I don't think a small amount of ATF will poison CVT fluid.

 

[newfiecharger]

I guess its better to have a small amount of ATF then salt water

 

[ncelk]

I would not take chances if you are under factory warranty.

I would use the factory CVT fluid. Why risk the transmission to save a few bucks?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I helped some engineers do product development work on CVTs. They used ATF in the early stages of development. I don't think a small amount of ATF will poison CVT fluid.

It will affect long-term durability. CVTs are greatly reliant upon the fluid for correct operation.

 

[The Critic]

Remove the cooler line, start the car and run out as much fluid as you can. Fill the dipstick tube with the amount you took out, and keep repeating this until you only see green fluid. The CVT is VERY expensive and not rebuildable. Even though the fluid is around $15/qt, it's worth it compared to a $5000 bill for an installed remanufactured unit.