Ways to protect the transmission

[ttni]

Hello, I just bought a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan with 55K on it and I haven't seen anything goes wrong. I have heard GC doesn't have good trans. Do you know some good ways to protect/keep it healthy? Thanks in advance

[yogi_123rd]

I've read many a horror story on these auto threads about these transmissions. In short, they say the failures seem to be due to internal ports plugging up (contamination in the transmission fluid). Once a year, you should have the transmission serviced with a power flush which cleans out and replenshes the fluid.

[GTP Dad]

Heat is also a trans killer. If you drive long distances in city traffic have an aux. trans cooler installed. They aren't expensive and you can install one yourself if you have a few basic hand tools. This will also come in handy if you haul heavy loads or climb mountains routinely.

[conncarl]

Originally Posted by ttni

Hello, I just bought a 99 Dodge Grand Caravan with 55K on it and I haven't seen anything goes wrong. I have heard GC doesn't have good trans. Do you know some good ways to protect/keep it healthy? Thanks in advance

Personally, I always avoid power flushing a transmission. I've seen too many transmissions fail within days of a "power flush".

If yours is a 99, you should be using Chrysler ATF+4 fluid. D-C represents this to be a "lifetime" fluid. Whether or not you believe that there can be any such thing as a lifetime ATF does not really matter, since the filter can and will become clogged with contaminants fairly quickly.

My suggestion is to perform a transmission fluid and filter change every two years or roughly 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is not as aggressive a schedule as it might seem, because you are only replacing the fluid in the pan, not draining the torque converter.

Whether you perform this service yourself or take it to a shop, make absolutely certain that genuine Chrysler ATF+4 is used. Many of the well-known problems with A604 and 41TE transmissions are related to shops (and owners) using cheaper Dexron fluid rather than the correct +3 or +4 ATF specified by the manufacturer.

I would also suggest a genuine Chrysler filter, since there is some confusion out there with aftermarket filters and I have seen clone filters with fitment problems. Besides, the real McCoy is only about $8 or so.

Another tip is to buy a good quality pan gasket from an auto parts store, since D-C does not sell one. They suggest using Black RTV sealant, which, in my experience, does not work as well and will often complicate future fluid changes.

Heat is indeed a transaxle killer, but unless you are going to tow with your Caravan or routinely carry very heavy loads, I would not install a cooler. Introducing a cooler into your system can actually add potential leak points, a common cause of transmission problems. You could try finding a slightly cooler thermostat for your Caravan. That would keep the coolant (and the ATF) cooler and extend its life, without the added complexity of an external cooler. Just be careful that you do not go any more than 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the original stat, or you may have trouble with your ECM.

Good luck! Carl

[who fan]

Originally Posted by conncarl

Personally, I always avoid power flushing a transmission. I've seen too many transmissions fail within days of a "power flush".

If yours is a 99, you should be using Chrysler ATF+4 fluid. D-C represents this to be a "lifetime" fluid. Whether or not you believe that there can be any such thing as a lifetime ATF does not really matter, since the filter can and will become clogged with contaminants fairly quickly.

My suggestion is to perform a transmission fluid and filter change every two years or roughly 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is not as aggressive a schedule as it might seem, because you are only replacing the fluid in the pan, not draining the torque converter.

Whether you perform this service yourself or take it to a shop, make absolutely certain that genuine Chrysler ATF+4 is used. Many of the well-known problems with A604 and 41TE transmissions are related to shops (and owners) using cheaper Dexron fluid rather than the correct +3 or +4 ATF specified by the manufacturer.

I would also suggest a genuine Chrysler filter, since there is some confusion out there with aftermarket filters and I have seen clone filters with fitment problems. Besides, the real McCoy is only about $8 or so.

Another tip is to buy a good quality pan gasket from an auto parts store, since D-C does not sell one. They suggest using Black RTV sealant, which, in my experience, does not work as well and will often complicate future fluid changes.

Heat is indeed a transaxle killer, but unless you are going to tow with your Caravan or routinely carry very heavy loads, I would not install a cooler. Introducing a cooler into your system can actually add potential leak points, a common cause of transmission problems. You could try finding a slightly cooler thermostat for your Caravan. That would keep the coolant (and the ATF) cooler and extend its life, without the added complexity of an external cooler. Just be careful that you do not go any more than 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the original stat, or you may have trouble with your ECM.

Good luck! Carl

I second this 100% . Still most Mechanics think Dextron is a multi purpose fluid. NO WAY! not anymore.