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V6 Dakotas
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
13:06:47
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 Subject: Tranny flush
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Message:
Do I need to do a compleate flush of my tranny if I plan on switching to Amsoil, or can I just drop my pan put in a new filter and fill it up with Amsoil. Any help would be realy helpfull. Thank very much.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
13:33:08
| RE: Tranny flush
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I'm going to be doing this in a couple days and I'm taking 20
quarts to the transmission shop in town to flush out all the old
fluid. I would think it would be best to get as close to 100% of
all the fluid in the tranny being the same to get the full
advantage of switching.
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
15:04:35
| RE: Tranny flush
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dont you think 20 quarts of Amsoil would be VERY expensive??? I guess my question is does pulling the pan off get all the tranny fluid out.
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Ronder
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
15:48:54
|  RE: Tranny flush
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Changing the transmission fluid in your vehicle may not be such a difficult thing, but what you may find difficult is making sure that you change the whole system over. You see, simply draining the oil from the pan and refilling it is not enough, at least if you're switching fluid types.
If you're going to switch to synthetic, you want to make sure you're getting the most bang for your buck. Thus, you'll want to make sure that you get as much of the old fluid OUT as you can so that you can put as much of the new fluid IN as you can.
The problem is that your torque converter will be holding some fluid which won't be pushed through unless the vehicle is running. You need to somehow get that fluid out. You can take it to a shop that can do a complete transmission flush and refill, but they'll charge you an arm and a leg to do it.
Here's a way that you can do it yourself without doing any damage to your transmission and without removing the torque converter. You'll need at least two and maybe three people to do the job, but not because it's that difficult. You just can't be in more than one place at one time.
Here's the plan. Find out how much fluid your transmission holds. Then find out how much fluid your torque converter holds. You may have to contact your local auto dealer for that info. Add the two together and then add about two quarts to that total. You'll probably need the extra to do the job, but if you don't at least you'll have some extra for topping off if it ever becomes necessary.
Now, change the fluid in the transmission fluid pan and replace the seal and the pan. Once the pan has been replaced, you must refill it with fresh ATF. Pour in as much ATF fluid as your transmission holds - that's typically the number listed in your owner's manual. Once you've topped off the system with new ATF, you're ready to flush the torque converter.
There are going to be two lines which run from your transmission to a cooling system of some sort at the front of your vehicle. This will either be a special section on the bottom of your radiator or a separate transmission fluid cooler. It shouldn't be that difficult to find.
Disconnect one of those two lines. If this line is flexible, then disconnect the end that attaches to your transmission (making sure to clean any dirt off the end of the hose and the area around the connection first). You'll use this disconnected end to drain fluid from. Don't disconnect the other end.
If it is not flexible, you'll probably need to have some extra temporary, flexible hose on hand to use. In this case you'll disconnect the same line, but disconnect it where it comes out of the cooling system, NOT where it attaches to the transmission (again making sure to clean the area around the connection first). Then connect one end of the flexible line (brake line should work - ask your local auto parts store) to the fluid cooler (where you removed the other line) and leave the other end unconnected to drain into a pan.
No matter which way you have to do this, keep in mind that although there might be a small amount of drainage when you first disconnect the hose, it should be minimal and should stop quickly (far less than a half quart). The hose will not drain again until you start the vehicle. If you're not sure you're following, don't worry. It will all become clear.
Now, this is the part where having two people will come in handy. You want to have one person in the vehicle turning it on and off. The other person will be at the front of the vehicle taking care of the draining and filling of the fluid. First comes a little draining.
Have the person up front hold an empty ATF quart bottle with the fluid drain hose in the mouth of the bottle. It will be easiest if the ATF bottle is clear, but it doesn't have to be. As long as you have some way of seeing the fluid level as it rises (you don't want to overfill the bottle and have fluid run all over your hands).
Once someone is in place with the "drain hose" pointed into the "drain bottle", start the vehicle. When the bottle is about full, the person holding the bottle needs to yell to the person in the driver's seat to shut off the vehicle. Once the vehicle is shut off, the hose will stop draining.
Now, you know that one quart of old ATF has been drained. So, have the person at the front of the vehicle, pour one quart of new ATF into the transmission fluid fill tube. Then, you're going to repeat the process. Put an empty quart bottle under the drain tube, have the other person start the car and run it until you fill the bottle again. Once the bottle is full of old ATF, shut off the vehicle and pour in another quart of new ATF.
This process is going to continue until you see a definite color change in the fluid draining from the hose. In other words, what you're looking for is the drain fluid should eventually look exactly the same color as the new ATF you're putting in. When it does, that means you've got the entire system flushed. At that point, you can stop, reconnect the hose and take the vehicle off the ramps. Then, you simply need to check and make sure that you're ATF fluid level is up where it needs to be (and it should be pretty close).
A note about the color change. I suggest that you use the following method to establish when the system has been completely flushed. It MAY be difficult to watch the fluid being drained from the hose and see the color change if the old fluid isn't really that old. So, to make sure you know when it's been flushed, get yourself two clear shallow containers, like tupperware or the bottoms off a couple of milk jugs or something.
Each time you fill a bottle with old ATF from the drain hose, pour just a bit of it in the bottom of one of those containers. In the bottom of the other container have a small amount of the new ATF. Compare the two. If the colors do not match exactly, your system has not been completely flushed. Dump the old ATF out of the one "comparison container" back into your drain pan and try again. When the colors match exactly, you know that you're done.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
15:58:37
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
Ronder thanks for that post! Maybe I'll just do it myself now.
Luke, yes the 20 quarts of Amsoil is pricey but it's not like I'm
going to being do this every 5,000 miles. I figure every couple
years is enough. Just my own twisted estimate. This is the first
complete flush I will be doing on my 99, I've only changed out
the pan fluid and filter once before myself and I feel it's time for
the whole shebang.
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another mark
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
16:00:54
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
Hey, about fast does a bottle fill up? Does it come gushing out
or trickling out?
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
4/08/2004
22:24:17
|  RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
ATF Fluid Change:
Changing Your Transmission Fluid in 12 EASY Steps:
1. Make sure the fluid is warm. Warm up your Dakota so the transmission is at normal operating temperature. Pull the transmission dipstick. Fresh fluid is translucent and cherry red. Some darkening is normal, but if it is reddish brown or mustard color and smells like burnt varnish, it is worn out.
2. Drain the fluid by loosening the pan. Select the correct filter replacement based on pan shape and prepare a large pan to catch the fluid. Then loosen each pan bolt a turn or two and loosen one corner more than rest. Drain mostly from this corner.
3. Finish removing the pan and any gasket material from the pan or case. Avoid scratching the metal and make sure the pan’s gasket surface isn’t bent or distorted.
4. Remove the old filter. Most transmission filters are held in place with a bolt or two, but some are held by a clip. Be careful to include O-Rings or other seals.
5. Install a new filter. Use the clips or bolts from the old filter. Be sure O-Rings, etc. are in place. If the filter has a long intake neck, gently push the neck into place without unseating the O-Ring.
6. Clean the pan thoroughly. Inspect the pan before cleaning. A small amount of fine grey clutch dust is normal. However, if you find metal shavings, there has been transmission damage. Clean the pan with solvent and wipe dry so there is no harmful residue.
7. Position gasket on pan. Some gaskets have four holes slightly smaller than the rest to allow four bolts through the pan and through these smaller holes to hold the gasket in place.
8. Hand tighten pan bolts in a criss-cross pattern. After that, use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to proper ft-lbs as per manufacturer.
9. Refill the transmission using only the amount shown as “refill capacity” in the owners manual or "AMSOIL Product Selection Guide,” using the type of fluid specified for the vehicle.
10. If doing only a partial fluid replacement, skip to instruction 12 below. If doing a complete fluid replacement, follow the steps in instruction 11.
11. You now have replaced the fluid in the pan. To replace the fluid in the torque converter and oil cooler also, follow these steps.
Step 1. Obtain the total system capacity of the vehicle from the manufacturer or I can provide it for you. Have this amount readily available.
Step 2. Disconnect the oil cooler line from the oil cooler. As you may not know which is the pressure side and which is the return side, have both directed so the stream of fluid will be directed toward a receptacle.
Step 3. With another person, be prepared to add ATF to the fill area as it is being pumped out of the oil cooler line.
Step 4. Start the engine, and as the old fluid is pumped out, add fresh fluid to the pan.
Step 5. When either the fluid color brightens or the total capacity has been replaced, shut the engine off and re-attach the oil cooler line. All fluids has now been changed.
12. Recheck the fluid level. With the truck on level ground, set the parking brake and the transmission in “Park” or “Neutral.” Let the engine idle for a few minutes. Shift the transmission into different positions before returning the lever to “Park” or “Neutral.” Check the fluid level again and check for leaks.
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This is really a "two-person" or a "three person" DIY operation. The ATF will come out faster than it goes in ... so you may need to stop and restart the engine a few times.
--------------------------------------------------
__________  __________
__________________________________________________
Amsoil Synthetic Universal ATF --- Retail Pricing
Preferred Customers and Dealers receive discounted pricing
of approximately 20% off the following prices
Product Codes - Quantity/Size - Retail Pricing
ATF-QT - (1) quart bottle ------------ $7.80
ATF-01 - (12) quart bottles --------- $92.40
ATF-TP - (1) 2 1/2-gallon bottle ---- $74.25
ATF-05 - (2) 2 1/2-gallon bottles - $146.50
ATF-30 - (1) 30-gallon drum ------- $689.00
ATF-55 - (1) 55-gallon drum ----- $1,181.00
__________________________________________________
Request a FREE Amsoil Catalog by clicking the following link:
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
4/08/2004
22:29:18
| Amsoil = www.american-synthetic-oil.com = Amsoil
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Luke,
Now that I have given you Amsoil Pricing Information ... some questions:
1) What year and model Dakota do you own
2) How many miles on the odometer
3) Has the fluid ever been changed before
4) If the fluid has been changed was it Mopar Fluids or another brand
I am happy to help.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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Wadak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/09/2004
00:49:27
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
I recently changed my transmission fluid and filter just as Steve indicated, it didn't take that long. If you put you truck up on ramps place a large low profile drain pan under the back of the transmission and loosen the bolts on the back of the pan, working your way toward the front. As the bolts are slowly loosened, fluid will start to seep out then pour out as you loosen the bolts front to back other wise you will have quite a mess and get alot of fluid on yourself. If you not sure about doing it your self, take it to a good transmission shop and take you own fluid. It took about 6 quarts on my 97 dak 4x2 3.9. 6 quarts gets you about a 50/50 mixture.
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
19:02:44
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
Steve
I have a 99 V6 3.9L 4x4. I just baught it with just under 100,000 miles on it, it is ow just over 100,000 miles. I have know idea if it has ever been changed but when I check the fluid the other day it was just a little below the low mark so I figured I would do a compleate change. So this is what I know about the tranny and I think that the this job should be fairly easy for me to do. I was just wondering how to get it all out . Thanks SOOOOOO much for all the help.
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uh
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2004
22:47:28
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
8 bucks a q for tranny fluid?, ol' PT got to these guys really good eh? and the thing is ya still gotts change it in a few years.
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daffydak
GenIII
4/10/2004
02:41:50
|  RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
i have an idea on the whole system flush. is it possible to use the return line from the cooler to add fluid? if so, you could just pour your new fluid into a big container and let er suck it up. no stoping and starting a bazillion times and no extra beer (for helpers lol)
i don't know if that would work, just a thought...
Dan
mopar=mopower
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DeanM
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2004
07:45:31
| RE: Tranny flush
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Message:
Mopar ATF+4 Transmission Fluid? Dealers charge 7.20 per quart and $28 per gallon jug. Seems to me if Amsoil is better then Amsoil is not over priced. The AmsGuy also stated somewhere that there was a way to register and get 20% off Amsoil retail prices. Maybe he can elaborate.
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Ronder
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2004
08:07:53
| 25% off!!!!!!
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I am getting my catalog..soon!!!!!
http://www.american-synthetic-oil.com/Contact.html
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