Transmission Flush at City Garage

Today I took my 99 caravan to City Garage for a complete transmission fluid flush service. What they did is use some kind of machine to pump out the old fluid through the fluid fill tube and then put in new Valvoline maxlife ATF. Didn't drop the pan, change the filter or anything. Service cost $114.
Did this accomplish anything? I don't think so.

put in new Valvoline maxlife ATF. Didn't drop the pan, change the filter or anything. Service cost $114.
Did this accomplish anything? I don't think so.

Is Valvoline ATF formulated for Chrysler's?
My 98 Caravan calls for specific fluid for 3 or 4 speeds.
Per the Service Manual "TYPE 7176
"DEXRON FLUID IS NOT RECOMMENDED" SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES AFTER THE FLUID CHANGE THE TRANS WILL START TO CHATTER.
Dexron fluid will start to eat up the clutches.
I've read many compaints from Chrysler owners who had trans. problems
a few months after a service where Dexron was used at popular trans shops who automatically use dexron fluid.
If the shop used the wrong fluid make them take it out.
Your owners manual and trans dipstick will give you more info
I always have my trans service by the dealer for about $59.00

That is such non-sence, to not pull the pan. If its just a screen (wire mesh) OK. But with the cloth(Dacron) filter??? I just don't get it. Maybe they just don't trust their guys with a tube of silicone?

Dextron don't eat the clutches, it just makes them(torque converter clutch) chatter(in a nut shell). The first couple of years (89-90) of the 41TE used dextron ATF. ATF +3 is best for these transmissions. Up till '99. Then ATF +4.

As a transmission guy that has a guarantee of 5 years on rebuilds, no way would I use a generic fluid like this. Thats just my opinion but I'm no rocket scientist :)

Not dropping the pan kills me. Valvoline maxlife atf is semi-synthetic fluid. I have to this again myself.

I checked with the valvoline web site and their maxlife product is a Dextron based product. I need to get this fluid out as quickly as possible and put in atf+3 and also change the filter. How do i do it?
It just got new fluid put in. How do I replace that with atf+3.
Thanks.

If the shop used the wrong fluid make them take it out.

I asked for ATF+3 and they argued with me. They don't even carry atf+3 fluid. They don't agree that it's the wrong fluid.

Complete step by step instructions on doing a flush and filter replacement yourself are here:
http://www.allpar.com/eek/atf.html

HiRez, Thanks for that link. One question though. When I drain the fluid through the tarnsmission cooler line, in my unique case where it has brand new fluid, how do I know that all the fluid have been replaced. Colore change would not be the way, would it? Thanks.

Since they did a "flush" through the dipstick tube, they probably didn't get even close to all the old fluid out, doing a flush that way will usually pull 4 or 5 quarts out, whereas doing a flush out the bottom as described in the article referenced above will pull 20 or even 25 quarts through before it runs clear. It costs more to do it the right way, because you use more fluid, and we all know the right fluid from the chrysler dealer isn't cheap. But it's worth the extra expense. Don't be surprised if when you start flushing your "new" fluid out the bottom, it comes out brown and burnt looking. It's because the shop didn't get all the old fluid out.

You got hosed! Take it to a real transmission shop that is reputable - or, dare I even say it, you may even want to visit the dealer for this one. Have them do the fluid service with the correct fluid. Of course if you only want to get another year out of your transmission don't worry about it. Look on your tranny dip stick, and/or in your owners manual. It will tell you exactly whcih fluid is supposed to be used. Any "mechanic" who tells you otherwise is a hack - IMHO.
You can also drive up to a dealer and ask for a quart of tranny fluid for your van parked outside - see what they bring out for it - it will cost you less then $5 to find out exactly what is supposed to go in there.

PS - Suck the fluid out the dipstick? :eek7: