98 Voyager - transmission maintenance

[ggratecc]

I have no problem...however, just want to know
how often should I have my transmission ATF and filter
replaced?

I have 85K miles on mine and it has been about 3 years since I
had it done (only time).


By the way, I think the 96-99 are great looking, just need to keep the maintenance
up on 'em.

TIA, Greg

[RIP]

Don't recall what the book says but once a year I suck all I can (about 3 qts) out the dip stick with a pump. Every 3 years I drop the pan and check and clean the filter. The filter is only a metal mesh screen and normally you can swish it around in a pan of solvent and clean it. I never get much out of it. Make sure you clean off the magnets. They are usually covered with tiny metal flakes and I mean tiny. Kinda like graphite. If you're not a DIYer I would have it done every other year. I own a 96 GC with 190K miles with no transmission problems except a leak fixed 6 months ago. I've always used ATF-3 fluid. This works for me.

These transmissions don't have a stellar history. If all this sounds a bit above and beyond, that's why.

[vipergg]

With this era van it should be every 30-35K miles for a fluid change and filter for the tranny .

[ggratecc]

I just checked my maintenance log, and it has been 3 1/2 years, about
35K miles, so I will have the ATF service done soon.
thanks for the replies so far.

[neon_rt]

It's funny to hear someone say 3 1/2 years, 35K miles.
We put 35-40K miles a year on our primary vehicle plus another 20K or so on the Jeep.

[HeadlessHorseman]

If you tow stuff in excess of 1500 pounds a half dozen or so times per year and do not have the towing package, you may wish to consider fluid and filter change every 15-20K or so. We tow our Coleman popup 6-10 times per year for about 1000 miles total. We drop the pan every 15k, without fail. So far, so good. Too often is WAY better and less expensive than not often enough. Been there and done that, twice.

[AwPhuch]

I know I have gone waaay overkill on mine..but I have been doing mine at 25k miles in both my Grand Voyager and my Dodge Dakota

The Voyager is ultra freeking easy, the pan is right there and just whip out the bolts and pow....the Dakota is a bit harder.

The reason I have been doing this is because I live in TX and it gets freeking HOOOOOT...so in order to keep from burning out a $2000-3000 tranny

Whats 30 bucks every 25k or 2000-3000 after you burn it up?

Normally just drop the pan, change the filter, refill with good fluid every 50K is good...dont bother with the flushes...they just muk stuff up

Brian
AwPhuch

[ggratecc]

Originally Posted by AwPhuch

The Voyager is ultra freeking easy, the pan is right there and just whip out the bolts and pow....the Dakota is a bit harder.
Brian
AwPhuch

I'm willing to do it myself...do I need to replace the gasket each time?
RIP says to just clean the existing filter and clean off magnets...
I can do that.
After the pan is back on, how much ATF-3 do I add?

TIA,

[AwPhuch]

I start with 4 quarts, then back it up and check it...ours usually holds right at 4.5

Just found this!!!!
DONT PUT DEX-III in a Chryster 4
speed automatic FWD tranny
http://www.allpar.com/ed/tips/trans.html
http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

Dang where is my sig

Brian
AwPhuch

[wafrederick]

You can put dex III in,put in a bottle of Lubegurd in(black bottle).The lubeguard changes the Dex III into the mopar fluid,it says on the bottle and approved by Chrysler.Most auto parts stores sell lubegurd.The website forgot something,the spider gear pin for the differantal likes to spit out and ruin the case.I have seen that happen in the FWD 3 and 4 speed transmissions.Jasper even knows about this too and has a fix for that.

[ggratecc]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I don't feel like disconnecting hoses, so think I will just
try dropping the pan, replacing filter, clean magnets etc.,
rtv, gasket, replace pan, add 4.5 quarts .

Here my list of tools and materials:
torque wrench - 175 lb.
Mopar or Penzoil :ATF+3 - 5 qts ( I guess this is 7176 type compatible)
Mopar filter and rubber gasket
black RTV

Any comments?
Greg

[wafrederick]

Do not use the Black RTV or the pan gasket will leak right away.The gasket goes on dry.

[ggratecc]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

Do not use the Black RTV or the pan gasket will leak right away.The gasket goes on dry.

Dry gasket...will do...thanks for the feedback!
I'm trying to research this for a couple more weeks before I try it.

I've got the 3.3L V6, but not sure of my transmission designation?

Greg

[AwPhuch]

Actually if you get the kit with the CORK gasket you put it on dry, the RUBBER you can use black rtv (very thin bead) just to hold the gasket in place while you set the pan screws

I always run a thin bead of rtv, then squish it around flat/thin with my finger...set the gasket on top (ensuring all the holes line up) and put a flat book or board or something, wait about 30-40 min, then the gasket is ready to go...I guess im using it as a gasket adhesive more than a gasket sealer

P.S. When you tighten the bolts you will see the gasket squish out between the tranny and the pan...this is good...that way you know its tight enough, once you get good at it you wont even need the torque wrench...you can "feel" the tightness of the bolt and see the gasket squish and know its tight enough.

Brian
AwPhuch

[eldiablo1100]

i'm a mechanic, so i probablly over maintain my cars. but my grand caravan 3.3l gets a new filter, gasket and fluid twice a year (about every 7500 miles). and i hope you ment 175 in lbs, 175 lbs is like truck lug nut torque. i wouldn't recomend you try putting 175lbs on tranny pan bolts, they'll strip at about 25lbs