Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Burnt trans fluid

[Double J]

I just had the motor oil changed yesterday and the dealer calls me at work to tell me the trans fluid is burnt and dark looking. They told me it looked liked it hasn't been changed for the life of the truck (48k miles) and should be flushed and replaced, which is where I stepped in and told him it was just done 3k miles ago! He started to question the quality of flush before I told him THEY had done it, he put me on hold for a few minutes... ..... probably to pull his foot out of his mouth and asked if I wanted it flushed again. At this point I'm already on the way down to pick it up and thinking, could it be the Edge EZ I just put in 2 weeks ago or the Valve body the same dealership put in under warranty the same time as the flush or the slide-in camper I pulled for 20 miles to it's storage location, what? When I get to the dealership he tells me to drive it for a month and bring it back so they can check the fluid condition and replace it at there expense. I got to thinking last night, if the fluid was so bad they wanted to change it right then why wait a month and possiably damaging other componets? How should I handle this?



01 2500/Auto/3. 55/Edge EZ/Autometer gauges in the mail



JJ

 

[BFC]

Did ya check it yourself? If it's done with I would change it and find out why it's burnt. Is your transmission slipping? One other option would be to take an oil sample and send it off. Sound likes you may want to find another dealer for a second opinion.



Glenn

 

[RustyJC]

Note the following (taken from TSB 21-006-01):

FLUID COLOR



Mopar ATF+4® is a World Class Fluid having exceptional durability. However, the red dye used in ATF+4® is not permanent; as the fluid ages it may become darker or appear brown in color. ATF+4® also has a unique odor that may change with age. With ATF+4® fluid, color and odor are no longer indicators of fluid condition and do not support a fluid change.

Rusty

 

[Double J]

The transmission is not slipping (to the best of my knowledge) but I have noticed ever since I put the Edge in a couple of weeks ago the shift from 3rd to 4th will require me to ease off the gas, and that's taking it easy just getting on the freeway. My valve body was replaced because the trans couldn't decide between 1st and 2nd on moderate inclines with moderate acceleration. So, after the fluid flush and valve body replacement everything seemed to be fine untill yesterday and the 3rd and 4th gear thing.

 

[Pit Bull]

Sounds like if you are going to use the EZ you will need to upgrade your transmission.



Too check your transmission fluid.



Put a couple of drops on a white paper towel. Let it dry. If when dry it shows up having a black circle around it, and lighter in the middle then I would say you have burn't transmission fluid and your tranmission has a big problem. Get it taken care of while the dealer is willing to handle it under warranty. JMHO



I know what the TSB says and tend not to believe it. The fluid in my 2000 CTD auto was alway pink using this method. When it had 30K miles on it and needed to be changed it would get a light pink to light grey tint and it never had the black ring. Same with my 1995 Toyota Landcruiser with 123K miles on it. Still light pink/light grey tint.

 

[Double J]

Last night I checked the fluid with a clean white cloth and the burnt fluid the dealer told me I had was as pink as could be. I then put 5 to 6 drops on a clean white paper towel and beside that three other spots with a quart of new ATF for comparison. So far four people can't tell me which is the burnt fluid and so trip to the service manager's office is next to see if he can tell the differance and why they think it needs changed. BUSTED!

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by Johnson - AK

I just had the motor oil changed yesterday and the dealer calls me at work to tell me the trans fluid is burnt and dark looking. They told me it looked liked it hasn't been changed for the life of the truck (48k miles) and should be flushed and replaced, which is where I stepped in and told him it was just done 3k miles ago! He started to question the quality of flush before I told him THEY had done it, he put me on hold for a few minutes... ..... probably to pull his foot out of his mouth and asked if I wanted it flushed again. At this point I'm already on the way down to pick it up and thinking, could it be the Edge EZ I just put in 2 weeks ago or the Valve body the same dealership put in under warranty the same time as the flush or the slide-in camper I pulled for 20 miles to it's storage location, what? When I get to the dealership he tells me to drive it for a month and bring it back so they can check the fluid condition and replace it at there expense. I got to thinking last night, if the fluid was so bad they wanted to change it right then why wait a month and possiably damaging other componets? How should I handle this? Like you would a phone call from the tides out land development corp. Forgetaboutit. Take it back in at a time you can stay and watch . Bet they say its fine now, but keep checking and bring it in for service at a reduced cost to you ,Yea . Ron in Louisville Metro ? KY



01 2500/Auto/3. 55/Edge EZ/Autometer gauges in the mail



JJ

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Johnson - AK

Last night I checked the fluid with a clean white cloth and the burnt fluid the dealer told me I had was as pink as could be. I then put 5 to 6 drops on a clean white paper towel and beside that three other spots with a quart of new ATF for comparison. So far four people can't tell me which is the burnt fluid and so trip to the service manager's office is next to see if he can tell the differance and why they think it needs changed. BUSTED!

That is sad, it looks to me like the Service manager was just trying to make some money off you. I think I would have some fun with this guy. I would call the Serrvice Manager and tell him that based on the fact you just had them do all of this work on the truck that you feel they need to flush and refill your transmission for free "NOW" and then it needs to be watched for further warranty coverage work Then I would insist that you are there when they do the flush and refill. That should cost them some time and money!!! If that happen enough maybe they will quit trying to cheat people.

 

[Double J]

Luckly for me I have family within the company,not the specific dealer but company. I took the truck to the service manager of the other dealership whom I know and he couldn't believe this guy tried to three-hole me and was going to call him personally and let the GM know. Should be interesting to see the outcome though, the GM my brother tells me is a hard ass.