30K Service at Dealer/Green Spray-Paint Mark on Muffler

[CRutledge]

Well I took my truck in for the 30K mile service. I am sure I paid too much money but thought I would confirm something regarding my Transmission. The owners manuel says to replace filter, fluid and adjust bands. Well the service tech told me they have two types of service for the transmission, one change the filter, drain the fluid and add back 6 quarts, or flush the transmission leaving the filter in and replacing all fluid. Seems like a scam. .



I do my own oil changes, fuel filter but Im a little scared about doing transmission, front and rear diff's



Also after I got it home I was checking around for leaks and to make sure it was evident someone had at least took the bolts off and noticed a green spray-paint mark on the muffler. Its about 6 inches long and about 2inches wide. I have been under this truck so many times doing my oil changes, greasing drive shaft, etc. and never have noticed this green mark so I called the dealer back to see if they marked my truck for some reason and they told me NO that sometimes they come from the factory that way. Any idea what this green mark means. I hope it just means that it got the green mark during inspection before leaving the factory.



Thanks,



Chad

 

[PWitteveen]

I just had my 30K service done as well and I am curious what you paid. Mine was $820.

 

[CRutledge]

I paid 718. 72



Transfer Case Fluid Change

Trans. Flush, New Fitler, Adjust Bands

Front and Rear Diff's

Rotate and Balance Tires



It sure shifts and seems to run a H*ll of a lot smoother

 

[16919]

good golly thats not cheap... ... .....

 

[DPKetchum]

Them diesel trucks ain't cheap nor are Jags,Vettes and lots of other vehicles. Takes money to service them also. The trans flud exchange is not a scam. Been around couple decades now. Do a WEB search and read about machines to perform this service.

 

[MHalloran]

I just had my 30K service done as well and I am curious what you paid. Mine was $820.

Damn, I guess you can say that the dealers are "legal thieves". I know that touchin' a transmission's internals can be a little scary if you're not familiar with it but changing the fluids on all of the other components is not really that hard if you own a decent tool box. For the front & rear diff. installing the mag-hytec covers really makes fluid change a snap. Simple drain plug removal. Cover stays on. They look good too. For all of us that like owning diesels, self maintenance is what I consider piece of mind. Mike

 

[JHardwick]

$100 worth of fluids and $600 in labor???????????????

 

[MA2LA]

is there a write up on adjusting the bands. I'm coming up on another transmission service, and might put a valve body in it.

 

[Bekim]

30,000 mile rape?

#@$%!You got your rear end lubed and reemed. That is insanely expensive! What does the manual recommend at 30,000 miles. No Transmission, or coolant service. No valve adjustment... ..... a fuel filter... and oil change!! We're talking about just 30,000 miles. What gives?!
Mike
###

 

[BHolm]

$100 worth of fluids and $600 in labor???????????????

I think it is more than $100 worth of fluids. The diffs are synthetic and the dealers synthetic is spendy. The trans holds about 3-4 gallons of ATF+4, also not cheap at the dealer and 3 gallons of oil. I doubt you can get all that for $100 anywhere.



Still, even at double, thats a lot for labor. Gotta love them dealers

 

[testraub]

Did my own 30K service maybe $100. 00 in fluid (had oil sitting around and some transmission fluid) even with filters and such no where NEAR $250 total. Pays to work on them yourself. Adjusting the bands is a PITA, but still cheaper then the dealer.

 

[JHardwick]

I think it is more than $100 worth of fluids.

I may have been slightly facetious ... ... ... .....

 

[16919]

$100 worth of fluids and $600 in labor???????????????

Exactly. . when I used to do it... all you did was hook the machine into the lines and it took care of it. 20 min or so later it was done. Hook the lines back up... check fluid levels and your done. No way in hell would I fork out that kind of dough just for that. Maybe 300 or so for the diffs. t-case, and transmission. Not 800... .

 

[seafish]

I have to do the 30k service soon--my dealer quoted me $650 +, which I thought was exhorbirant. I got a phone estimate from a diesel shop with a good rep for a couple hours labor and the cost of fluids, probably about $350 tops. I let you guys know how it went when I get it done.

 

[Motorhead]

Kinda funny that Dodge is going backwards on their trans service interval. My '01. 5 didn't call for a fluid and filter change until 60,000 mi. I spent $120. 00 for the factory manuals and did all of the services and trans adjustments myself. EVERY time it went to the dealer for a warranty issue(there weren't many) they screwed it up.
All you need for special tools to adjust the trans bands is an inch pound torque wrench. I bought a nice click type on ebay for $40. 00.

 

[donnier]

IMHO, it seems strange to do a fluid change on a auto transmission and not change the filter as well.

Maybe Im just old school.