Mark, question abt Amsoil ATF+4

Rowski · Jun 12, 2000

wen,

Snap-on makes a machine (I beleive it is called transtech) you hook into series in the cooler line. Snap-on claims it removes 100% of the old fluid and replaces with the new fluid. I have hear that it really works well but pretty expensive to buy(at least for our small shop). That is really the only easy way. Usually on our own trucks we replace the fluid once sometimes twice a year regardless of mileage. To make it a little easier we insatlled a drain plug on the pan.

As for the Chrysler products their mechanical system it should be improving with their recent merger with Mercedes Benz. I know you can see some the german thought going into their recent new cars. I hope that the germans rub off on the truck and SUV lines especially the work trucks.

Derek

Rowski · Jun 12, 2000

Re:Life expectancy of tranny fluid

I found one of my automatic transmission text books from college. It has a chart titled

Life expectancy of transmission fluid as operating temperatures are increased

operating temperature Operating mileage
175F 100,000
195F 50,000
215F 25,000
235F 12,000
255F 6,000
275F 3,000
295F 1,500
315F 750

It doen't say but most likely this is for dextron mercon fluid. I would be curious to see a chart with synthetic.

Billc · Jun 22, 2000

Re:Life expectancy of tranny fluid

O.K. after lots of research I've decided to stay with the ATF +3 fluid in trannie. I think Amsoil would do a better job but when I drain the trannie fluid, just like I was told above, I only get out about 1/3 of the ATF, a bunch is left in the torque converter, cooler, and lines. Mixing the two trannie fluids doesn't hit me as a good idea. But, when I have the trannie rebuilt (whenever it fails) I'll replace the torque converter and bands with after market products. Will also go with Amsoil ATF then.

Appreciate the input, fellas.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 6, 2000

If you want to get ALL the ATF out of your tranny, you are going to have to take it to a shop with a flusher machine, they are too expensive for the home mechanic ($2500+) However, there is the "hillbilly flusher" method which will change most of the fluid. Unscrew one of the lines at the cooler in the rad. Have an assistant briefly start the vehicle, just long enough to determine the flow direction. You want to detach the "return" line and install a fitting into the cooler with a short hose attached.(hint: short 5/16" brake line for most GM and older Ford) Drain the pan, but don't change the filter yet. Reinstall pan, and dump in 4-5 qts of fluid. Have assistant start vehicle and run hose into a bucket, adding fluid to tranny as it is pumped out. When it starts coming out clean, stop engine, drop pan, and change the filter. Replace pan, lines, etc. and refill. Be warned, most trannies hold at least 11 qts total, so figure at least 18+ to get a decent flush. Same basic process as a flusher, but takes more ATF.

Billc · Nov 6, 2000

Slimsummers,

I was surprised to see this post pop back up. Thanks for the info.

Just to update (Sorry I know this really belongs on the TDR board): I did not go to Amsoil ATF. There were too many questions I couldn't answer. I stayed with the Dodge ATF. Took my 5er out west for 2 months in Aug. and Sept. On my way home, just out side of Bozeman, MT. my trannie let go. I had 93K on the truck. Went to a good trannie shop in Bozeman. Flushed the trannie cooler, stayed with Dodge ATF, had the trannie rebuilt, went to a better valve body, and put in a Sun Coast Proloc torque converter. This winter I will take the Dodge to a trannie shop, flush the trannie cooler again, go with Amsoil ATF, and that's about it.

I do thank you for the info about replacing the trannie fluid.

Zoe · Nov 23, 2000

Bill, Ran across your post on Amsoil ATF and Dodge transmissions. I have ran it in Dodges, Fords, GM products for years and it covers Dextron 1-3-Mercon- and all forion car trans fluid specs. If you pull a trans hard like I do sometimes 4 ton on the back you find that synthetic keeps the fluid aprox 500 degrees cooler and the fluid lasts 50,000 miles compared to being burned up at 12,000 miles. I am running it in a couple large Allison trans 5 speeds automatics and have 145,000 on one with out any discoloration on the fluid at all. The best way to get all but a couple qts out of the trans is to unhook the pressure cooler line from the radiator and start vehicle and it willpump most of it out without any damage at idle. I hook a rubber hose to the line with a pan underneath. gary