I looked around for info. It eluded me still. Can anyone chime in and give me some info. Also, preferred fluid brands would help.

Thanks

 

Do a search for "ATF" and form your own opinion (IIRC, it's a VERY large can of worms to open between the threads... ATF4-vs-Dextron"X" + friction modifier-vs-a bit of everything).

I had McMopar service mine... mainly to get his eyeballs on the VB & bands while the pan was dropped. He stands by ATF4, despite the controversy surrounding all the service bulletins about ATF4 in the newer OD tranny's (but you should have the 3spd, so maybe not a concern). While I haven't had any issues in the past 3200 miles since he serviced it, the ATF4 is slightly more $/quart...

HTH

 

I say the best is going to a shop that has a flush machine , then you change all the fluid , not 1/4 -1/3 , but still drop the pan and adjust the bands & check pressures , adjust if needed .

 

Funny....I've never had a auto trans to service, ever. What does something like this run? To adjust and swap fluid?

$150? or more?

 

I have heard a lot of confilicting advise on a fluid flush from a shop. One camp tells you not to if your tranny is old (more than 75000 miles) as it will collect sludge and deposit it into the chases in the valve body clogging it up and scorcho your tranny is done. The other camp tells that its not a harmful thing no matter the age....so which is it....

 

Depending on where you go & sales , $100 + .
The only problem with servicing anything is if its old & tired , touching it can be the last time it works , I rather do a service before leaving on a trip , and have options , rather than be on a trip and have something fail with out my neighborhood options .

 

Interesting thread........I asked my diesel/heavy equipment instructor back in college about changing fluid on a high mileage auto. (little to no fluid changes done for the life of the transmission). The answer: Changing fluid in a auto transmission that has seen little to no fluid servicing in it's life is a 50/50 thing. All the friction modifiers/ detergents/ additives eventually wear out over time, much like engine oil. Adding fresh fluid will most likely erode whats left of the clutch pack material, therefore causing excessive slipping. Bottom line......... change fluid at recommended intervals or wait until the tranmission wears out and needs a rebuild.

 

I switched to Amsoil about 30K ago. I unhooked the line from the cooler and pumped out all the fluid. So far so good.

 

My experience has been not to change the fluid in an auto which has not been serviced as it should have from the start. My stepdad always taught me this, he was a veteran and military mechanic. I personally never owned an automatic, but the couple my folks (always used vehicles) have had and we decided to change anyway did not fair well. Both were general motors automatics with no problems prior to servicing and within 5-10 K later we were pulling the trans. I would have to agree to service it from the start or let it go until it needs a rebuild.