Rfe 68 service

[Minnow101]

^^^You two need to get together at a some random Flying J and have "to the death" purse fight.....

 

[Cummins12V98]

Notice who is always doing the sniping.

I guess the had no impact.

Incredible.

 

[kthaxton]

^^^You two need to get together at a some random Flying J and have "to the death" purse fight.....

Hmmm, I'm not to keen on the idea.....I'm sure his purse is WAY bigger than mine.....and I'm certain it is the best purse ever.

 

[rikbakke]

I let my 68RFE drain overnight - I think I drained ~1 quart over that 14 hr period. Gave me time to gather thoughts and start fresh in the morning anyway. For me, Geno's or Rockauto.

 

[Joe56]

So I did My first at 41 K and will be doing another at 68 k next week because of some upcoming trips with 5th wheel. I have always used the Mopar filters and fluid (12 qts at big A for around $65) and use the rest to replace steering fluid. I finally invested in a Mity Vac 7300 ($90) and man was it worth it!!! Works for brake fluid changes (by yourself and power steering fluid. I use it to pull my pan near empty and then pull the pan off NO mess. Just a regular catch pan while I change filters and let it drain - clean pan - spread new form a gasket. I purchased over a year ago the thermal bypass from ATS (it came with the metal coupler for the spin on filter) which i never found time to put on. I DID already buy the metal coupler for the spin on filter earlier for first change as i read that was a failure point. I changed the seal (which looked perfect) which I probably wont this time. I used 9 qts but let it drain for hours. Next week I will be pulling off the thermal coupler block and replacing it with the pass through ATS and will probably pull or let fluid drain from cooler too - just because it will be easy. I am considering buying the Sonnax RFE-LB1 kit to firm up the shifts. Anyone use this ? any feedback is appreciated. It works fine but read this gently improves line pressure for shifts and a longer lasting transmission especially while pulling. I do NOT dog it but I do work it when pulling.
2014 RAM 3500 Dually Pull 33ft 5th wheel (about 12K) total gross weight 21750.

 

[RammerJam]

I let my 68RFE drain overnight - I think I drained ~1 quart over that 14 hr period. Gave me time to gather thoughts and start fresh in the morning anyway. For me, Geno's or Rockauto.

I'm too wild about letting an auto transmission drain for that long and here's why;

You start a vehicle with an auto in it, and if the torque converter isn't filled, you can say good bye to it and, most probably, your transmission.

Now, I could be completely off-base here, and I often am, but I just don't like the idea of my TC losing full capacity. Maybe it doesn't and I'm just imagining things.

Wouldn't be the first time

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I'm too wild about letting an auto transmission drain for that long and here's why;

You start a vehicle with an auto in it, and if the torque converter isn't filled, you can say good bye to it and, most probably, your transmission.

Now, I could be completely off-base here, and I often am, but I just don't like the idea of my TC losing full capacity. Maybe it doesn't and I'm just imagining things.

Wouldn't be the first time

There is no way the converter would drain all the fluid out of it without removing it and pumping it out. If the converter has a drain plug on it you could also drain it that way, but I don't think the 68RFE converter has one.
Converter is like 14-15 inches in diameter with the drive hole in the center, so no fluid below that center hole can drain out

 

[JR]

I'm too wild about letting an auto transmission drain for that long and here's why;

You start a vehicle with an auto in it, and if the torque converter isn't filled, you can say good bye to it and, most probably, your transmission.

Now, I could be completely off-base here, and I often am, but I just don't like the idea of my TC losing full capacity. Maybe it doesn't and I'm just imagining things.

Wouldn't be the first time

Whacha suppose happens to all them brand new transmissions and brand new TC rolling off the assembly line?

As has already been stated it just dont work that way. To drain the fluid out of our TC you would have to pull it and turn it on its end.
But even if you did so the second or two of no fluid doesnt hurt a thing. Some TC's actually have drain plugs in them, for obvious reasons.

 

[JackFate]

Oddly enough the op ask for some feedback on truck “hot fluid level check” as a consensus as to what others are finding (other post) As he ( me) has seen a wide variation in readings . 7-7.7 quarts as per information on Mopar service invoice for trans service 7 without filters 7.7 with . I fully understand extended drain times require more.
Mine always checks low for hot , but what is hot ? Apparently 165 isn’t hot ?( trans temp gauge)

 

[JR]

It should say the temp on the dipstick for both cold and hot checks. I generally just check it after a good run = operating temp.

 

[Topzide]

Here is a reprint from TDR Issue 64 that explains how to change the transmission fluid and get the "majority" of the fluid changed. http://cdn.genosgarage.com/downloads/TechPDF/TDR64_TransFluidChange.pdf

Have done this exact procedure on my rig with no issues! Was able to replace 12 -13 quarts of fluid. I also added drain plug on pan to drain the couple quarts left in pan to avoid the mess and allow me to add temp sensor in the future. Back flushing with machine would allow more fluid exchange but don't like leaving the filters unchanged. Used the Super Tech fluid. All fluids are made to meet the specs required. Also been using the Super Tech DEF without any issues! Save some $$$ to using on other toys or "jewelry" for your trucks!

 

[Cummins12V98]

Much easier to disconnect a line at drivers side near top of radiator. Drain pan change filters refill EXACT amount drained by removing pan. Now you are full again. Have hose go from disconnect fitting to jug. Start and when fluid slows or a few quarts have been pumped out shut down. Measure what you dumped and refill same. Now you are full again. Repeat til the fluid color changes and it DOES. Refill and you are FULL. Double check level after getting to operating temp. This is an easy way to get "NEARLY ALL" old fluid removed.

 

[gsbrockman]

This is an easy way to get "NEARLY ALL" old fluid removed.

So.....does this mean it’s still just a partial fluid change after all?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yes

 

[Axel]

I don’t tell anyone what to use or what to do.

it’s very easy to do a fluid exchange on the 68.

I am hesitant to say anything cuz I get so much chitz for even mentioning changing “all” the fluid.

If you want to know how to do it pm me. Not worth the criticism to say how on here.

 

[Axel]

Not sure how to pm. I would like to know how to do a complete fluid change on my 68RFE.
Thank you!

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Not sure how to pm. I would like to know how to do a complete fluid change on my 68RFE.
Thank you!

At a trans shop that has a fluid exchange machine.
DIY at home takes lots of extra trans fluid to flush all the old out.

 

[Axel]

At a trans shop that has a fluid exchange machine.
DIY at home takes lots of extra trans fluid to flush all the old out.

Was hoping to do myself. Yes I bought 15l of transmission fluid. Just not sure how to get the old stuff out.

 

[Topzide]

@Axel, Check out this link to get all fluid out. Works well and not get dumped on when removing the pan since no drain plug!
https://www.genosgarage.com/downloads/TechPDF/TDR64_TransFluidChange.pdf

 

[Axel]

Thank you for the link! Did both my son's and my truck yesterday. Hoping that this will resolve my issue P0731.