Changing Tranny Fluid

[georgewthedog]

Alright, well my tranmission is starting to have some extra gear wine (more than I've noticed before) and I'm getting considerably less power. I'm guessing that's because the fluid's contaminated (see post: "It Didn't Look That Deep"), which my guess is that it's affecting the torque converter.

I drive a 94 limited with the 318 (5.2) liter engine. I have NEVER replaced tranny fluid so I was wondering if anyone could help me out with it.

Also sorry to be an idiot, but on this model ZJ how are you supposed to check the tranny fluid? I know the engine is supposed and the fluid needs to be heated up but should the car be in Neutral or Park to check the fluid?

Last thing--does anyone know how much tranny fluid this jeep takes? Autozone told me 4 quarts, but for whatever reason that seems low to me.

Thanks a lot guys!

[fredjacksonsan]

First off, Autozone is only partly right about the capacity of your transmission. Looks like 4qts initial fill, with the entire system at 11 quarts:

From the web:
CAPACITIES
Engine, with filter..........5.0 quarts
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........15.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[1]
Automatic Transmission, Initial Fill..........4.0 quarts[1]
Automatic Transmission, Total Fill
42RE..........11.0 quarts
44RE..........11.0 quarts
Differential, Model 35 Rear..........3.4 pints[2]
Differential, Front..........3.2 pints[2]
Transfer Case,249..........3.4 pints
Transfer Case,231..........2.1 pints
Transfer Case,247..........3.4 pints
Transfer Case,242..........3.0 pints


Here's a good description of "how to" for trans fluid change:

...Drop pan, change filter, reinstall. Measuring the old fluid in pan into a milk bottle type container, install that amount of new ATF back into transmission. Disconnect BOTH ATF cooler lines at radiator and place a container or pan under each line end (helps to have an assistant). Start engine, shut down after 1 or 2 quarts have come out one of the lines. Refill exact amount of fresh fluid in transmission (this keeps air out of the system). Be careful not to drain too much or you will get air in the system.

Start engine again and repeat until clean fluid is coming out of cooler line. This is messy and time consuming but will purge all old ATF from transmission and torque converter. Reinstall cooler lines and start car, cycle through gears, place in park and check level per owners manual. Check for leaks. Top up as necessary after driving and heated up. Don't overfill.

You just safely flushed the whole system, no T-TEC $ cost....

(thanks to Auto-rx.net)


I have an old 1 gallon milk container that I've got marked at pint intervals. This procedure works well, you just have to make sure to keep the trans filled, and not to strip out the hoses running to the trans cooler when you take them off.

Best to jump on this quick, as the water/mud won't wait to do damage.

Good luck with it.