Transmission Fluid Burnt???

[PBeaudoin]

Well I now have 24K on my 03 CTD 47re, a new trans was put in at around 6400 miles. I was noticing some delay in the shifting of the transmission, brought it in for service for cracked alt. bracket and had them test drive it. They checked my fluid level which was fine however the fluid was dark red almost brown and burnt smelling?? This is real premature I feel for only having 18K since new?? Anyone else with miles seeing this too? Yes I do tow considerably with it, but I don't cowboy it at all. The tech said this new fluid needs to be changed more often if you tow??? I honestly laughed at him. Am I wrong, is this true? Please let me know if this is a problem and if I switch to synthetic will this help? I believe that maybe my clutches my be fried too? Who knows.

Appreciate advice on this.

Paul

 

[Big MAK]

fwiw transmission fluid always smells burnt. Don't know if you knew that or not; if you did; then never mind



It should already be synthetic. Better fluid is never a bad idea though; I'm sure someone on here can make some recommendations (I don't drive an auto myself). The Dodge trannys are quite sensitive in the lube department so be careful what you go with.



If shift points are an issue; then have them check the fluid level in the torque converter. If the TC is low on fluid (or maybe even too lite) your shifts will come in late. On rare occassion a TC will leak down some fluid and cause delayed shifting.

 

[Steve M]

The '03 comes with ATF+4 full synthetic. There's a TSB on the transmission cooler line check valve. If it sticks closed the transmission can overheat. Mine was changed before I took delivery back in January.

I tow heavy and haven't had any transmission temp trouble. Fluid is still cherry red and smells new with 19,000 miles. My temp gauge hasn't showed over 180*F even while parking my 5th wheel in thick grass.

Sounds like a transmission temp gauge would be a valuable addition to your truck with the sensor in the pan. If the sensor is in the cooler line and the check valve sticks closed, you won't know it with no hot fluid running through the line. The gauge will read cool while the transmission is burning up.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

ATF+4 smells bad and get brown real quick. Good +4 smells worse than burnt +3.

 

[DPKetchum]

When towing heavy a fluid flush every 15k use to recommended. Every 30 for moderate use.

 

[PBeaudoin]

Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly

ATF+4 smells bad and get brown real quick. Good +4 smells worse than burnt +3.

I was told this by someone else. I guess I will just flush it out and put synthetic in her and see what becomes of it. This transmission will always scare me. Replaced at 6400 miles and who knows when it will need it again.

Thanks for all your responses!!!



I was told to drop a cooling line and start the truck and let it run into a bucket... TRUE? And it takes 11 QTS to refill?? Thanks

 

[dieselpilot1969]

ok so what's a good replacement fluid other than dc brand that wont cause transmission to eat itself to bits?

 

[PBeaudoin]

I am going to run amsoil, seem like everyone likes it??? Anyone care to recommend something different??? I'm game.

 

[y-knot]

Well I like the AMSOIL ATF, been using it four about 4 years now. when I first installed it, I saw a 30 degree drop in temps .

 

[NSperduto]

Don't know about the Rams, but my Dakota is real sensitive to fluid quality. I tow a bit with the Dakota, car trailer and camper and I change mine every 15k.

Last time I changed mine, I upgraged from atf3 to atf4. I knew it held 16 quarts (or whatever it was) I dropped the pan, emptied the 4 quarts, then put that back together. Next I unhooked a cooler line, pumped 2 quarts out, shut the truck, put two quarts in, then repeated the process until I had swapped out 12 quarts.



It made a big difference in my trans.



I know my truck is different than yours, but I believe the process is still the same. You just need to find out how much fluid your trans holds and how much the pan holds.



Nick

 

[sluper]

Transmission Fluid!

I drove my "96" with an auto to 186-k, switched the fluid to Amsoil @ 24-k. I did not tow everywhere I went but did tow all through the south. I saw a temperature drop right after the switch so it is the right fluid for me, after I switched I was not sure the temperature gauge was working until I got into traffic and did not have the wind across the trans cooler. I am planning to run Amsoil in the 04 @ the first fluid change along with the installation of a temp gauge in the pan. The fluid always looked good if I changed it as recommended in the manual.

 

[radar doctor]

More info??????

I just got a 03, 1500 miles on it now. was wondering how often i need to change the fluid if i don't pull anything. . If i add a larger trany Pan will this Decrease the fluid changes???Is the +4 really a synthetic????What Brand ? or are the +4 all the same ? Tks B

 

[NSperduto]

I think the dealer is the only place you can get atf+4 right now.

 

[curatchko]

After reading this thread I went out and checked the fluid in my truck, which only has 220 miles on it and sure enough, that is THE WORST smelling ATF I've ever smelled... GLAD I smelled it now because I probably would have thought the same thing down the road...

 

[PBeaudoin]

Re: More info??????

Originally posted by radar doctor

I just got a 03, 1500 miles on it now. was wondering how often i need to change the fluid if i don't pull anything. . If i add a larger trany Pan will this Decrease the fluid changes???Is the +4 really a synthetic????What Brand ? or are the +4 all the same ? Tks B

I don't think that the ATF +4 is a true synthetic, I believe it has sythetic properties in it. I am going to Amsoil ATF, it definitely is a better ATF. I know through research that Mobil1 ATF is not ATF +4 compatable. Other then these two mentioned, I don't think there is another choice??? Except Dodge branded ATF +4 ( believe it's made by Quaker State) for Dodge.

 

[JHardwick]

Get a stick

 

[Steve M]

"I don't think that the ATF +4 is a true synthetic, I believe it has sythetic properties in it. I am going to Amsoil ATF, it definitely is a better ATF. I know through research that Mobil1 ATF is not ATF +4 compatable. Other then these two mentioned, I don't think there is another choice??? Except Dodge branded ATF +4 ( believe it's made by Quaker State) for Dodge. "



Can you elaborate? What is your source or are these just your opinions based on your affection for Amsoil? I believe ATF+4 is full synthetic and is made by Valvoline. I put it in mine and it does fine. Towing 10,400 lbs hasn't brought the transmission temp above 180*F even in the Florida summer heat.

 

[PBeaudoin]

Originally posted by Steve M

"I don't think that the ATF +4 is a true synthetic, I believe it has sythetic properties in it. I am going to Amsoil ATF, it definitely is a better ATF. I know through research that Mobil1 ATF is not ATF +4 compatable. Other then these two mentioned, I don't think there is another choice??? Except Dodge branded ATF +4 ( believe it's made by Quaker State) for Dodge. "



Can you elaborate? What is your source or are these just your opinions based on your affection for Amsoil? I believe ATF+4 is full synthetic and is made by Valvoline. I put it in mine and it does fine. Towing 10,400 lbs hasn't brought the transmission temp above 180*F even in the Florida summer heat.

I was told by the dealer transmission gentleman, that got his info from somewhere in the dealership?? Correct me if I am wrong, Vavoline does not even make a type IV synthetic motor oil, is it not a typeIII. If so, then do they have the technology to produce a Type IV transmission oil?? I am not partial to Amsoil, I just don't know of another source of synthetic trans fluid. I am a Mobil1 guy, however they do not make a transmission fluid compatable to this transmission. I tow almost every other day, either a 6500# trailer or a 9500# trailer I towed these same trailers with a 78 F150 4X4 for 2 years and never had a trans problem, and the fluid is still new looking (I guess, lol) Doesn't smell burnt, anyways. Has technology gotten better or worst??

 

[Steve M]

I don't have any idea who makes the transmission fluid for Chrysler. I was just pulling something out of thin air. Seems like the norm around here. There are a couple of other off the wall sources for synthetic transmission fluid. Type in synthetic transmission fluid in your search engine and weed through the hundreds of Amsoil salesmen's sights to find the few others. Here's one to toy with.



http://www.synlube.com/prod02.htm



Other than hype or blind faith, it could be as good as Amsoil if Amsoil is truly any good. I'll have to give them a thumbs up on their written warranty. Unlike K&N's deception, Amsoil states in writing that they will stand behind their product. At least they say they will...

I'll stick with Chrysler's ATF+4. The mechanic at our local dealership says it's synthetic. It's comparable in price to other synthetics and is compatible with the warranty on my truck. I run about 140-150*F around town and up to but not over 180 towing. If Amsoil will lower my temps to 140-150*F around town and to less than 180* towing, I could see possibly jeopardizing my warranty to benefit from the same lower temps.

 

[Steve M]

Here's a little tidbit from Chevron's site.



http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/nafl/auto/content/atf.shtm#atf3



ATF+3® /ATF+4®

DaimlerChrysler has had their own ATF specifications for many years, but as of 1997, Chrysler owners' manuals no longer list DEXRON as an acceptable replacement. ATF+3 is a readily available mineral oil-based ATF that is suitable in any application calling for ATF PLUS® , ATF+2® , or a Type 7176® fluid. Vehicles manufactured after 1999 require ATF+4® , a synthetic-based ATF only available through DaimlerChrysler.