Liberty newbe

[Chris Stewart]

Hi gang,
The wife just bought an '07 Liberty...nice vehicle.
So I'm up this morning checking this thing out. Oil level is ok, start the motor and let it warm up, set the radio stations, found the fog light switch, back it up-pull it forward warming up ok, back under the hood, where's the trans. fluid dipstick? Check the owners manual and found it in the book, back out to the car under the hood.
The tube has a button, "dealer service only" . I wonder what that dipstick's gonna cost?

[2000izusu]

standard in o7. go buy one at the parts dept for an 06, take the cap off and put new dipstick in! mike

[Chris Stewart]

Originally Posted by 2000izusu

standard in o7. go buy one at the parts dept for an 06, take the cap off and put new dipstick in! mike

Thanks Mike.
I found an '07 part number and ordered it off the web. The plan is to go to the dealer and get the free trans. fluid check with their trick tool dipstick then if it checks good, pull out the bought dipstick and check it right then & there and make a mark if necessary.
How I managed to get through 35 years of maintaining my vehicles with out a trick dipstick, I'll never know.

[2000izusu]

alot of manufactures are going to "sealed transmissions" especially the imports! they want you to know that the fluid is "lifetime" i want you to know change the fluid and do it often (with atf+4), you will get the trans to last 200,000 miles barring any unforseen problems (pigs flying, mothers cousin doing doghnuts,etc...)

good luck with your dipstick project! mike

[Chris Stewart]

Thanks again, I'll change it out pretty early. These new transmissions don't shift firm like the old ones which tells me they're designed to slip on the shift and will wear...even with kevlar composite clutch material and dirty the filter.
I hope the shift solenoids are reliable.

[2000izusu]

they have smooth shifts because what the masses want. but me on the other hand wants a firm shift (like you). the solenoids should not be a problem if the fluid is clean. usually what kills them is dirt stuck in them. or an all out elec failure (from over use city driving example newpaper delivery route etc...)

[Chris Stewart]

Just looked at your signature 2000isuzu and see you had work done on your 4.3 Chevy.
Working part-time in a race shop and being real familiar with those heads, what work was done to them?

[2000izusu]

they were warped due to a leak in a radiator hose (over heat). the heads were warped by 6 thousanths had 10 thousanths taken off to get them straight. also had valve job done on both heads While the heads were at the machine shop. i put it back together and now have 5000 miles on the head job! so far so good. mike

[Chris Stewart]

Way ta go.
While looking at some on the workbench, I opened an intake valve 1/4" then sprayed some WD-40 straight into the intake port. It came out from around that valve spinning making about 1/2 turn before disappating...pretty impressive. These same heads & motor went in a 1986 Chevy 1/2 shortbed which was a legal NHRA Stock Class racer...H T(ruck)S(tock)A(utomatic) and qualified very well for a coupla years.

[Chris Stewart]

Well, I bought what was supposed to be an '07 Liberty transmission dipstick online that is 4 inches too long...clown must have posted the wrong part number. When I get off this shift in a coupla weeks, I'm going to get it checked free at the dealer then compare their reading with this dipstick bottomed out (I've read the '06 stock just does hit bottom as it's seated on the dipstick tube) and if it reads correct, I'll put a closed "Z" bend in it so it'll go in to the dipstick tube.