1997 Grand Caravan--transmission fluid leak

I'm going to be taking my van to a repair shop for transmission service...have the fluid, filter, gasket, and pan changed. I also put 2 quarts of ATF+3 in my van for the shop's use.

What's been happening is this: When the engine is cold, and you try to go somewhere, after a few seconds or so it'll act like it's slipped into neutral. Once the engine is warmed up, no problem. Shifting is fine. It happened a few times this past summer, but then it started getting worse.

I've been adding transmission fluid to it and I've been hardly driving it at all--I take my husband's car whenever I can. Before I go anywhere in my van I check the fluid level. I don't take my van unless I absolutely have to, and even then for no more than a few miles.

There's a nice puddle on the garage floor pretty much below my transmission fluid dipstick--right in that area. I know it's not power steering fluid because that reservoir is on the other side. The leak must be fairly slow because it takes a few days for it to be really noticeable.

So--do you guys think it might be a bad gasket? I sure hope so. I hope that replacing the gasket, pan, etc. solves the problem!

For the record--it's a 3.3 litre engine, less than 120K miles. I've had it since June 2002 and haven't done anything to the transmission (I got it when it was at about 65K miles).

EDIT--Forgot to ask this question: What's the capacity for transmission fluid--how much does it hold? I put two bottles of fluid in my van so the repair shop can use it *just in case* they somehow don't have ATF+3. Two quart bottles. Think that would be enough?

I've heard horror stories about mechanics thinking all transmission fluid is the same, so I'm trying to cover my rear here. :lol2:

Make surethe shop used ATF +3 or higher fluid. i suspect in the probably used Dexron and if thats the case you have to change the fluid pronto!

The transmission can leak from various places, cooling lines are notorious, solenoid pack can also leak, and if they did not use teflon tread sealant on the pan bolts they can also be a souce of the leak.

I personally would not trust a shop to change the fluid unless i could watch them ppur in the ATF+3. Capacity of the transmission is about 3-4 quarts I think.

The "total" capacity of 1999 T&C is about 10.5 qt. You will need that much o fluid unless a flush is performed.

I agree with Vats. Make sure they put in ATF+3 only. Wrong fluid added si the main course of tranny problem.

If you never drop pan change filter, it is a good idea to do so right away. Better let it done by Chrysler/Dodge dealer to ensure the right fluid is used.

Depend on how nad is the fluid condition after the pan dropped. If it is not too bad, you may want to try www.auto-rx.com to clean your tranny first and then flush it later. I just had mine flushed (not by high power flush) last week and I am happy with the result.

My dealer charged me $169 for the flush and $110 for fluid change/filter change but I do not have tranny leak before doing that...

Good luck. You should have drop the pan and change fluid @65K and you should also have done that in the last 55K.

I will not let a repair shop touch my van if they don't even have ATF+3

yes atf3 or 4 is way to go like other say. Ony way to find leak is to clean it of with cleaner and wash it off, and then watch for leak. this has to be down of course with van on jacks.

I do disagree, for what its worth, with sealing pan bolts. they dont go into case. I have removed lots of these pans. The pan bolts go through to outside of case or have a blind hole, no outlet.

good luck

I haven't had it serviced *yet.* I'm taking it in tomorrow morning. I'm also leaving them 2 quarts of ATF+3 to use.

Like I said I got this van in May of 2002 and I haven't had anything done to the transmission in that time.

I really hope it's the gasket. See, I have a coupon to get it done at a local shop for under $90. For that they're supposed to change the fluid, change pan and gasket and filter, etc.

I will make sure that they put in ATF+3 if what I have isn't enough.

Just got my van back from the shop. Turns out it needed a new gasket--that's what was leaking.

I had a coupon for $84.95 that included changing the fluid, filter, pan, and gasket. So it came to less than $95 with the tax and everything.

you have to two lines radiator solenoid pack gasket and dipstick being held by one screw mainley presure hold it take dipstick out wipe dry clean aply gasket maker around dipstick make sure not to put into tranny many posiblities i want toautozone bartar; said dex 3 same as atf 3 it is not it cost more use dodge fluid makes huge differance in dodge tranny

Check the transmission cooling lines too... they run from the transmission to the back of the radiator and criss-cross behind the radiator to connect at both sides, top and bottom.

You have coolant AND transmission fluid running through your radiator (two discreet sections). The rubber hoses that connect the tranny fluid lines to the radiator get hard and leak over time.

I do NOT recommend trying to repair the pieces of hose with stuff you get at a parts store. Tranny fluid hose is specially formulated for the chemical composition of the fluid and for very high pressure.

Don't cheap-out on this repair... you'll be sorry. Been there, done that, been sorry. Your dealer sells a complete replacement harness that mounts to the back of the radiator cooling fan assembly, if you need one.

Umm! Do you guys realize this thread is from 2005 ? :smile:

angus10 Yes, I do understand that the OP was back in 2005 but others see these posts.

My transmission cooler lines tend to drip and need a good tightening. Especially the lines just behind/below the rediator cap.

No prob, just wondering if you knew.