Mopar ATx Experts- ATF +4; siphon method?

[UncleS2]

I've finally located a pickup that may suit, but one thing concerns me. 02 Dakota, 89K mi, V6 & ATx- the (only)owner has had the transmission fluid & filter changed once, and had the trans "flushed" some time after that. Neither job was done at a Dodge dealer or trans shop, the flush done at a Gooyear tire/repair center. The trans should get only Mopar-spec ATF +4, and it seems unlikely to me that both these shops actually used it. Even though he has the service tickets, they don't specify what fluid was used- I figure probably some "Universal" Dexron or similar. You know how this goes- many places will use whatever they have & tell the customer, who doesn't know any better, Don't worry, this works in everything!

I drove it today & the transmission seemed fine, so if it is the wrong fluid, maybe it hasn't done any real damage yet.

QUESTION: Assuming I do buy the truck, anything wrong with using small dia tubing, down the dipstick tube, to siphon out whatever it can- maybe anywhere from 4-7 qts- then filling to proper level with licensed ATF+4 from whatever major maker, like Castrol, PZ, etc? Then drive it for a month or so, & repeat?

The reason this concerns me so much is that a couple of Chrysler/Dodge techs told me years ago that lots(most?) of Mopar Auto trans problems come from using the wrong fluid.

 

[oilmaven]

I've heard the same thing regarding the infamously bad Mopar transmissions. After owning 4 vehicles with that transmission (1991 Voyager, 1997 Town & Country and one of my current vehicles, a 2003 PT Cruiser that I bought new)I had only one failure and subsequent rebuild in the 1991 Voyager (what a piece of -rap that was...EVERYTHING went wrong except the 3.3 liter engine). The PT just turned over 100,000 miles and is shifting happily with the Redline C+ fluid I put in (did a filter change and full flush) about 20,000 miles ago (previous changes were with +4 at 25-30,000 intervals). The transmission is as smooth as new...never a problem. I suspect the majority of problems are caused by neglect and abuse (hard to believe how hard people are on their vehicles...then they're surprised when something breaks). These transmissions are KNOWN to be problematic at best but you can expect decent service from them if you keep them serviced at reasonable intervals and drive the car easy. I'd drop the pan, replace the filter and fill it with as much +4 as it will take...should be OK regardless of what's in there now.

 

[Defiance665]

They dont have a drain plug?
If not, just do the siphon method you mentioned.

ATF 4 killed alot of Jeep AW4s... (thats pretty off topic though)

 

[santov]

Oh! I just wrote a post on this-
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/recommended-mityvac7300.132514/

You're right, Mopar ATF is a special recipe. There's other products that are supposedly better and more expensive, but I rather stick to what the factory recommends. The dealer carries gallon jugs which makes it cheaper then buying some quarts.

If you're going to change the fluid, might as well drop the pan and change the filter too. That way you can clean the gunk off the magnet.

 

[hounddog]

Trans probably had a fliud EXCHANGE not a flush per se.If you want it done right get you 17 qts of fliud and get a shop to EXCHANGE it out.Tire store near me charges $35 bucks to install my Amsoil Atf.They a use a BG machine.It seems to be the most common one out there.

 

[demarpaint]

You can use the syphon method, but don't expect to get anywhere near the full amount of fluid out. I've done it in Fords and get about 2+ qts out. Here is my suggestion. Drop the pan, clean it, change the filter. If you want to do the syphon method do it after the pan drop. Suck out what you can, replace with fresh fluid, take a short drive, and repeat a few more times. You can even do that over a period of a few days. That will get most of the fluid replaced with clean ATF. You can have a shop do it, but I would suggest the pan drop as well. Use only ATF+4 I'd stay clear of the universal fluids, at least that is what a local respected transmission rebuilder told me. AFT+4 is a synthetic fluid and is what Chrysler products call for. JMO

 

[Gary Allan]

I wouldn't sweat the fluid issue. This thing never spec'd +4. It didn't even exist when it was built. Lubeguard additives worked well in modifying the fluids for the service trade for the past 2+ decades. Now I wouldn't fret about it at all. The blenders have sufficiently proven that they can manage and manage well in multiple application fluids.

As to the siphon method: Fine and good, but the cooler line option is pretty easy. On a RWD on a truck, the easier access could be at the trans end ... but if "off the ground/standing up" service is your goal, then it works.

The unit has had the pan cleaned and filter serviced, but it can't hurt to do it again. Naturally I'd recommend doing either your siphon method or cooler line drain before dropping the pan just to reduce the fluid splash when you pull it down.

 

[zrxkawboy]

If it shifts well, I wouldn't be overly concerned. I would do a pan drop/filter change and refill with ATF+4 soon, and maybe a siphon or cooler line flush a couple of months later to exchange more fluid.

 

[tomcat27]

I'm pretty sure my 02 spec'd ATF+4 - the +4 is miles ahead of +3 in longevity as its a G3 synth. regardless, I would do a change (or preferrably flush) and get on with it. The 42RE used in the Dakota does not have the same eveil history as the 41TE/604 or 42TE (both FWD) I've owned over a dozen Chrysler/Jeeps, put well over 100k on each, and never had a transmission problem - even with the Ram, which is 12 years old and pulls a 6000lb boat while loaded with 5 people, gear, and dual A/C.

 

[yeti]

gary -- if memory serves, the wife's '01 minivan spec'd atf+4.getting rid of some fluid, as you say, BEFORE the pan drop is wise, but often overlooked. take care.

 

[SuperDave456]

I agree, siphon off what you can. Then drop the pan and clean it up. You could even replace or add magnets (they make high temp neodymium magnets that I have taken a liking to).

If you were really itching for a job you could do a cooler line flush and place a Magnefine filter in there. However what you have planned will be more than what most people do for the life of their transmission.

 

[santov]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
You could even replace or add magnets (they make high temp neodymium magnets that I have taken a liking to).


SuperDave, Where can I get some of these magnets? I'd like to put some in my Jeep next time.

 

[Gary Allan]

Originally Posted By: yeti
gary -- if memory serves, the wife's '01 minivan spec'd atf+4.getting rid of some fluid, as you say, BEFORE the pan drop is wise, but often overlooked. take care.


Yes. Somehow I got that wrong as 92 ..which was 1776 (+3).

My bad.