2000 Rodeo Auto Trans service question

Hello people. I bought a 2000 Rodeo @ 110,000 miles. It appears as though the car has been exceptionally well maintained and was a one-owner vehicle in near flawless condition. I did not receive service records and with no trans dipstick I am not sure what condition the fluid might be in... I am going to get it serviced but I was hoping for suggestions regarding whether or not I should have the filter and gasket replaced or is the simple fluid exchange good enough? What is a common price for these services in Colorado area???
Also, at highway speeds during shift at hard acceleration it almost feels like there is a hint of a slip. Kind of like it shifts to one gear (fairly high rpms) for about a second and a half then drops to another gear at slightly lower rpms. If I made any sense here, is this normal?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Much appreciated!!

The jury is still out on whether you should ever change the filter (some think it is a screen, others think is alike membrane type filter).

A flush at the dealer will cost about 100 bucks.

If you drop the pan and do the gasket and filter you will only replace about 3.5 of the 9 qts. cost? 175-225?

You harnash shift could be due to slightly low tranny fluid or it is a bit dirty.

If this was my truck, I would had the pan dropped and then replace the filter. This is the best way to do it on a truck with no tranny service history. If you just flush it with all new fluid you may have some problems down the road.

congrats on the new to you truck. Read over the FAQ's for some more Rodeos quirks.

I'd do a pan drop / filter change. Drive it for a few weeks to see how she behaves on that, then have a full ATF exchange done on it (thru the cooler lines). Both procedures shouldn't run more than $150. More importantly- Keep an eye on the engine oil level!! Check the dipstick every fuel fillup until you get into a routine with the truck. The 3.2/3.5 can use oil depending on how and where it is used. Running them low on oil results in a spun #3 rod bearing. Replacement engines are over $5K :eek7: .

G/luck
Joel

I had a slow tranny fluid leak in my 2000 rodeo and it cost me $2500 for a rebuild. You must drop the pan, there is no dipstick available.
If you're changing fluid, be sure and change the filter.

My routine for the 4L30E. Fluid change at 15K, drop the pan at 30K. Never had a problem with the tranny at 147,770 miles. Last fluid change, I swapped 3 or 4 qts., ran it awhile, and swapped another 3 or 4 qts. more. Knocking on wood...

I had a slow tranny fluid leak in my 2000 rodeo and it cost me $2500 for a rebuild...

All you probably had was a leaky seal on the accumulator piston cover. Super commom on the 4L30E. Running the 4L30E low on ATF will result in a fried trans in no time. Dropping the pan for an ATF change is not necessary. Their are fill/level check and drain plugs on the pan.

Joel

Thanks for all the help!

My local Mech. is telling me that you need to remove part of the exhaust to remove the trans pan.... Of course this would require more $$$.
An extra $90.00 to be exact.
Any truth to this?????
Thanks!

my trans shop said the same thing about the muffler, but don't take that as a confirmation. With that in the price, they said $175 for the full trans service. I kinda trust these guys. I'm in so cal.

GL

SOLSTER

Thanks for all the help!

My local Mech. is telling me that you need to remove part of the exhaust to remove the trans pan.... Of course this would require more $$$.
An extra $90.00 to be exact.
Any truth to this?????
Thanks!

Not if your '00 is like my '01 (should be the same). The crossmember needs to be moved out of the way. Put a jack under the tranny and remove the mount. Then remove the bolts from the xmember to frame.