Super gross trans fluid - 2004 Jeep WJ 4.0l 42RE

[Slagathor]

Im thinking this fluid was in there for the 140k miles.

2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0l 42RE trans, purchased by me in March of this year, had to add some juice and put in a bit much.
Pulled some out and holy crap was it dark, so I dropped the pan and installed a new Dorman pan with a drain plug, new filter and 6 quarts of Valvoline ATF+4.

It didnt look bad on the stick but thats just a fraction of the juice in the trans, and it shifts like new yet so fingers crossed it holds up.....

Forgot to put the magnet back in the new pan and remembered I had some neo"did"lyum magnets laying around from a different project so I put the around the drain plug, where the old magnet should have been...

 

[Slagathor]

Forgot to mention, still have the old filter, gonna cut it apart tomorrow after work, if theres anything interesting inside ill post some pics...

 

[Rand]

I reserve gross for when there is chunks in it 😉

 

[Slagathor]

I also forgot to mention the magnet wasn't very "hairy" at all....

 

[ripcord]

I wouldn't consider that fluid extremely dirty. You can see the bottom of the pan through it. It is over due for changing, though.

 

[pghvolvo]

That actually looks half way decent compared to the life time fill that came out of my Volvo 2.9L I6 at 66K miles. It looked like chocolate milk and smelled really bad. BTW that was back in 2005 when I did a full synthetic fluid exchange. The transmission still runs like new.

 

[atikovi]

I'd change the fluid after 5-10 miles. Maybe twice.

 

[Slagathor]

I figured on dumping it again in a week.or so, it took 6 quarts, thats half the total fill...

 

[dihi22]

Its dark, but i don't see sludge. I'd say you got it just in time. If you were able to exchange 6 quarts you're good to go. Another drain and fill when you're ready for the next motor oil change and i think you're in top shape.

 

[PandaBear]

I heard those fluids (or is it diff fluid) the stinkier the beefier it is, not that they gone bad. The color looks good still but if the mileage is due then it is due. No sludge no hairy iron on the magnet probably means it is ok.

 

[Slagathor]

Heres what the filter picked up:

Is this a manufacture date on the filter? If it's only 3 years old that seems like a bad sign..:

 

[14Accent]

It's fine...

140k on a 42RE is nothing. My previous '01 had 240K and I never touched the trans. Fluid looked good enough for a $400 truck, and that thing shifted like brand new. They're barely breaking a sweat behind a stock 4.0.

Congrats on the WJ purchase! Did you make a thread when you picked it up? I've got a '00 Limited, 4.7 with QD. Picked it up for $250. Currently a stones throw away from 250k and the original engine and trans are solid as could be.

 

[GMBoy]

The fluid doesn't appear to be catastrophic. If your filter is 3 years old based on the date codes, then it atleast had a fluid change in it's life maybe 2. Looks like you are fine. Do 1 more drain and fill and then forget it for another 60-80k miles

 

[zzyzzx]

Doesn't look particularly bad to me.

 

[nicholas]

Im thinking this fluid was in there for the 140k miles.

2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0l 42RE trans, purchased by me in March of this year, had to add some juice and put in a bit much.
Pulled some out and holy crap was it dark, so I dropped the pan and installed a new Dorman pan with a drain plug, new filter and 6 quarts of Valvoline ATF+4.

It didnt look bad on the stick but thats just a fraction of the juice in the trans, and it shifts like new yet so fingers crossed it holds up.....

View attachment 112068

Forgot to put the magnet back in the new pan and remembered I had some neo"did"lyum magnets laying around from a different project so I put the around the drain plug, where the old magnet should have been...
View attachment 112069

Those magnets will loose their magnetism as they get hotter......
I would take them off and put the good old fashioned inside the pan, those do not.

 

[Slagathor]

Congrats on the WJ purchase! Did you make a thread when you picked it up? I've got a '00 Limited, 4.7 with QD. Picked it up for $250. Currently a stones throw away from 250k and the original engine and trans are solid as could be.

It took me 3 years to find a super clean WJ, every one I found was a rust bucket and they wanted way to much money. I also have a 99 with the 4.0l with 247k on the clock I had to replace the pistons last summer, cracked skirt, picked it up in the fall of '18 for 500 clams..

 

[vindex1963]

My 1995 ZJ with 74,000 miles and spotless rust free. 4.0L 242 transfer case for $1000. There's good deals on these out there.

 

[doitmyself]

Mopar used to state in their documents that ATF+4 darkening was normal and did not necessarily indicate worn out fluid.

 

[Slagathor]

Mopar used to state in their documents that ATF+4 darkening was normal and did not necessarily indicate worn out fluid.

Just googled this, that is good to know...

 

[doitmyself]

tsb_wk_2101407.pdf

NUMBER: GROUP: DATE:. 21-014-07 Transmission October 16, 2007. This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, ...

www.docdroid.net

TSB 21-014-07

"FLUID COLOR
Mopar ATF+4® has exceptional durability. However, the red dye used in ATF+4® is not
permanent; as the fluid ages it may become darker or appear brown in color. ATF+4® also
has a unique odor that may change with age. With ATF+4® fluid, color and odor are no
longer indicators of fluid condition and do not necessarily support a fluid change"