swampdiesel

Thinking of taking my truck to the dealer for the 1st tranny service. Im at 60k mi. so I know Im over do. I thought about just doing the pan drop method, but i know that doesnt do the whole job. Doesnt the pan have a reuseable gasket? the guy at the service desk said that it didnt ? Anyways, its Gainesville(Fl) Dodge, and any comments, tips, etc would be very greatly appreciated.

BigIron70

I would recomend the trans flush and diff service while there. When was last time you replaced fuel filter??

dj_souvlaki

had a dealer give me a transflush when i wanted a full serives, remember its just a flush, they don't change out the filter.

be specific when you tell them.

swampdiesel

changed the fuel filter 2 weeks ago, and it looked like Edit. couldnt find fleetgard anywhere in town(couldnt order, had to be done immediately) so i had to go with purolator. i know they probably suck, but i was in a bind, next time its the fleetgards. With not having had the trans fluid ever changed, i was leaning towards the flush, but many people on here say the pan drop is sufficient? THe cooler line drain, fill, drain, fill method, as mentioned in one of the other posts sounds like it would be ideal, maybe use alot xtra fluid, but i dont care as long as im getting all the crap out. Im not to familiar with the trans itself as far as which lines are which, but im willing to learn, plus they say they want 250 to do the flush, when i can maybe do it for 50? Cant afford the MH pan yet, but maybe soon, im sure the trans temp gauge is helpful. any other takes?

TexasCTD

My recommendation is to drop that pan, change the filter, refill and drive about 10k and do it again. Then start draining and refilling and changing the trans filter every 20k or so.


The key is you HAVE to change that filter. And that involves dropping the pan.


The trans "flush" can really mess up your trans if it isn't done correctly and loosen up debris that you don't want floating around in there. Even then, you need to change that trans filter.

If you really trust the trans flush guy, go for it. But YOU GOTTA change that TRANS FILTER!


It's really easy to just drop and drain and refill. It's just the expense of buying the fluid and filter that hurt. That's my 2 cents. Good luck with it!

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swampdiesel

filter prefernces? fleetgard? ill do it tommorow if i can find the filter

TexasCTD

Mopar (from the dealer).....for trans filters. Ask for a discount they will usually give one.

Or you can order from here if you have time to wait for it. http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo....r=MOP-52118789

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dj_souvlaki

250 for a tranny flush?!?!?!?!?? thats rediculous. i paid 125 for mine.

SAVOY1964

And the pan gasket is reusable.

2003Ram

Good advice right there. If you have a flush done, don't be surprised if you have a tranny failure within 20k miles. It may not happen......just don't be surprised if it does.

Hounddog

99% of the time its a FLIUD EXCHANGE machine being used.Not a FLUSH.Dosen't hurt a darn thing.It helps get the old fliud out of lines,cooler etc.Thousands of these in use daily nation wide.Best thing to happen to a automatic trans since its invention.

tcr

I agree 100%, but the filter still needs to be changed after 60000 miles in his case. Gasket is for sure reusable unless some idiot put a different gasket on. I've noticed some of these trans filter kits come w/ a p.o.s. gasket worse than the factory gasket. WTH

Hounddog

Change the filter at 60k or what ever suites ya.But THESE thousands of fluid exchange machines being used daily from coast to coast aren't murdering transmissions daily or at certain miles or on a almost full moon etc.Its a extremely beneficial service.Had the little Ford store do my Gran Marquis a month or so back.Think I paid 70$ and I supplied the fluid. Car had 30k on it.I did NOT do the filter.Ford tech and service manager nary raised a eyebrow.Looked at the Amsoil in the trunk and said "Heard this was good stuff" and left it at that.They used the basic same ole BG machine every one else uses.I'll change the filter and top off at 90k unless other circumstances arise.

wantabe351

Do the drop pan method..when you have the pan down put the B+m drain plug kit in..that way you can change about 5 to 6qts at a time,when its service time...

bob4x4

The B&M plug is a cheap piece! If you feel the need for a drain do it right and weld one in.

Bob