Some questions on a 1999 3500 6 spd.

[DBoyd]

I have a couple of questions about my recently purchased 1999 3500 6 speed truck. It is a former hot shot rig with 100K miles on it and I was changing the fluids and filters to get it up in shape. The following are some questions I had on the maintenance as I haven't had a chance to get the service manual yet.



What is the fluid capacity of the transmission and what fluid is recommended? Is the differential capacity the same as my 97 2500 series? How can I set the clutch free play? My 97 has about 3 to 4 inches from the floor before the clutch engages whereas the 99 has about 1 to 2 inches of free travel. Can this be adjusted or am I getting due for a new clutch. Also what other maintenance items might be recommended at this time? (Grease the front and rear wheel bearings maybe?? New belts and hoses??) Does the 24 valve need valve adjustments?



Thanks for your input.



Don

 

[B.G. Smith]

Questions

These are from my manual, 1999. NV5600, 6 speed trans. cap. , 6. 8 pints, the only lubricant recommended is Mopar manual transmission lubricant, part # 4761526. The differential holds 6. 8 pints if it is 2 wheel drive, lube is 85w-90 hypoid gear lube. If heavy towing is anticipated, synthetic lube is recommended. According to the manual, the clutch free-play is not adjustable. With a new clutch you will have greater free play before disengagement than with a worn clutch plate. The rear wheel bearings are lubricated by the lube in the differential. The front are servicable if it is 2 wheel drive. The valves are recommended to be adjusted at 100,000 on the 24 valve engine. I have 75,000 on my belts and hoses, will probably change this fall. bg

 

[LSMITH]

BG covered it pretty well. The valves seem to be a hit or miss type of thing, some guys have found lashes out of spec at as little as 30K miles where others have had them all in spec at over 100K miles. They are easy to check and easy to adjust. Mine will be checked again after 30K miles as I had quite a few out at less than 90K miles.

 

[MikeR]

The 6pd takes 4qts of oil. I used the factory texaco stuff from the dealer. I wanted to use Amsoil, but at the time Amsoil wouldn't say if it was okay to use it. Just recently, Amsoil said it is okay to use The series 3000 5/30 synthetic engine oil for the 6spd.



The clutch is not adjustable, and yours' sounds fine.

 

[DBoyd]

Many thanks to all of you for the excellent info. I changed oil and filter along with the air filter (which had caked on oily dirt, don't know how it ran at all!!) and also changed the fuel filter, (a lot easier than my 97!!) Had to dig out the owners manual for instructions about filling the fuel canister and still almost didn't get it going but finally it busted off and went to running!

The owner's manual sure isn't much for info compared to the service manual. I sure appreciate the information from your experiences and from the service manual.

Dboyd

 

[MikeR]

D,



There is a common failure among the 24v engines... and that would be the lift pump. It's the small supply pump that delivers fuel to the injection pump. I would be very suprised if yours made it to 100k miles, so I recommend you check the psi's very soon!



-Mike

 

[DBoyd]

Is the lift pump hidden behind the fuel filter? (I hafta get that service manual) I had heck getting the filter primed with the instructions in the manual. I would cycle the switch to the on and almost start position and would hear a brief moan! It would occur each time I cycled the switch, a moan or buzz for 2-3 seconds. Then I tried to crank up and after it wouldn't start I left the switch in the on position briefly and heard a sound like an electric pump running for several seconds but couldn't get it to run again while cycling the switch. I was concerned I wouldn't get it going at all when I finally cranked for 30 seconds and it fired!! The moan or buzz was similar to an electric brake pump on a Ford medium duty. Wonder what it was?