Problems after 60k maintenance

Hello everyone. I have a quick question. I took my car in for 60k maintenance Saturday, and there have been many more problems since I took it in than before. First off, they didn't bleed the antifreeze enough, so it overheated on me on the interstate. They say Neons and Intrepids are notorious for developing air pockets(is this true?).

They also replaced the tranny fluid, saying that there's a special fluid that has to be use(again, is this true? I've only had Nissans in my life, this is my family car :wink:) They told me they used their own generic brand, which might be the problem. I've noticed that when slowing down, and the tranny downshifts to 2nd at app. 25mph it kind of jerks(By kind of jerks, it shakes the car). Any ideas what could have caused this?

I told the mechanics about this tranny problem when I took it in for the overheating. They said all they did was check fluid levels and everything looked fine. However, I'm sure it's not fine.

Any ideas what could cause the tranny problems? I need to know if I need to take the car back to them and raise hell.

Oh yeah, a little background about me. I'm a mechanic in the Navy, so I have a little experience, but not too much with cars. So if it's something little to do, I'm sure I could handle it.

.My book says ATF+2 or DEXRON in the automatic and I would like to see ATF+2 as many transmissions are fussy about their fluid. Example, grandson with 2001 Hyundai Elantra and he changed the transmission fluid (Hyundai says use SPIII) and after that the car would not shift after sitting for a few hours until she sat with engine running for at least 30 seconds. In addition the shifts were slow. I drainde trnsmission and put in SPIII and all is now well.

Hmm, that definitely seems like the case. I was just worried that the overheating may have caused problems. I think I'll run it for a few more days, and if the problem persists, I'll take it back. Thanks a bunch!

.My book says ATF+2 or DEXRON in the automatic and I would like to see ATF+2 as many transmissions are fussy about their fluid.That isn't the right book for Chrysler transmission then...you should only use Mopar ATF+3 or +4 in ALL CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS. Anything else, especially Dexron, will cuase slippage and can create excessive heat!!!!! Stop driving it and have them flush it with the CORRECT fluid!

I stand corrected, all Chrysler ATX use either MS 7176 (ATF +3 or +4). All first generation Neon use ATF+3 and it is available at most auto part stores.

I stand corrected, all Chrysler ATX use either MS 7176 (ATF +3 or +4). All first generation Neon use ATF+3 and it is available at most auto part stores.There are a few others that you can use, that are "supposed" to meet Mopar's type 7176 requirements such as Citgo ATF type 7176, Quaker State 7176 ATF, Pennzoil 7176ATF, and Valvoline for Chrysler vehicles, but just to be safe and keep the tramnny running long and strong, I always used Mopar!

Your trans won't last long with Dextron in it.
Have the corect fluid put in it and a new filter.
The first gen Neons are supposed to have their bands adjusted every 30K miles. The trans may feel different b/c they did adjust them. Change the fluid or don't and change the transmission soon.

I use Valvoline ATF+3 in my 1996 Caravan and at 105,000 miles she still runs and shifts fine. I do change fluid and filter every 30,000 miles.

I'm sorry, I forgot to put the year of the Neon, it's an '03 SE. I don't know what gen that is, maybe 3rd? Let me give them a call and see exactly which fluid they put in. Thanks for all the help everyone. Hopefully all will be well soon.

I just called. They said they put in a Chrysler synthetic... No sure which one, but he said they have a conditioner they put in when problems like this occur. Will this actually fix the problem, or just mask it for a while so I have to spend more money down the road?

They said they put in a Chrysler syntheticIf they put in a Chrysler synthetic, then you should be OK!

Hmm, we'll see after they put the conditioner in if it drives better. I'm not a big expert on transmissions, but when it overheated, do you think that the fluid's viscocity dropped a lot and damaged parts of the transmission?

Oh well, I guess I'll just get them to put the conditioner in and run it for a few days. Maybe the problem will just go away....

It's possible, but the fluid getting burned would be my bigger concern.

Hmm, I didn't smell any burning, so I think that's out of the questions. I just worried about the loss of lubrication leading to damaged parts. Well, they put the conditioner in it today, so after about a week of driving I'm going to reevaluate it. They were in good mechanic fashion, saying, "Oh, well Jim drove it before, to make sure nothing was wrong. He said he felt it jerk too, before the maintenance. But it was when it was up shifting."...

This is what I get for not doing stuff on my own, thinking there's someone more skilled out there that should be doing it...

Thanks everyone. You've been a big help with everything. Hopefully it will be better after the conditioner gets thoroughly mixed in.