On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 02:56:13 +0000, Santa Cruz Tom via CarKB.com wrote:
> Gene Poon wrote:
>>> Can I use Penzoil Mercon ATF? It says it meets For and Chevy specs. but
>>> nothing about dodge. Will my transmission perform differently? Thanks, Tom
>>
>>NO NO NO NO NO!
>>
>>That fluid does NOT MEET CHRYSLER SPECIFICATIONS. If you have the three
>>speed transmission, you may get torque converter chatter. If you have
>>the four speed, you may ruin the transmission.
>>
>>ENOUGH?
>
> Thank you for the info. I have had trouble with the tranny ever since my
> wife took it to Jiffy Lube where they convinced her she needed a tranny flush.
>
> I imagine they used the wrong stuff since they only had one kind. It has
> been a couple years of tranny slipping, but it still goes. Do you think I
> could go after them?
There are two different dynamics going on here. First of all, SUPPOSEDLY
they use a 'friction modified dexron-mercon for Chrysler transmissions.'
That's what I was told when I inquired. My mind said, Thanks but No
Thanks! The machine pumps about 6 gallons through the tranny until it runs
'clear'. So, you basically have the wrong tranny fluid; I don't know what
the 'friction modifiers' do, but I didn't like it...
Second, if you have NEVER flushed the tranny before, then you did a real
No-No. What happens is, the various friction parts in the tranny break
down over time. If you changed or flushed every 30,000 or so, the damage
is kept to a minimum. BUT! If you don't, the ATF collects the fragments of
the clutches and brakes and carries them through the tranny. The filter
catches some, but some gets through. So, now, your tranny is DEPENDING on
these 'fragments' to provide the friction the pieces have lost over time.
It uses the filth to provide friction; you might never know the
difference, and the car rusts or the engine gives out first.
By flushing the tranny, you removed all the debris from inside the tranny.
Now, you have worn down clutches and brakes, and nothing to act as a
helper for them, and the wear is showing through sloppy shifts.
Unfortunately, a shop replaced the missing fluid in my LHS with generic
ATF. I made them drain it, and since then it shifts sloppily. All I wanted
was to change the filter and refill!
Depending on how bad it is, live with it; you're looking at $900-1800 to
rebuild/replace the tranny!
Now, as to your question, you MAY have some recourse, but I doubt it. Then
again, JL is so used to getting sued they usually just replace the part
and that's it.
What people used to do in the old days was to throw in a handful of
sawdust into used cars with slipping trannies; it would make the tranny
work just long enough to get past any warranty period!!
Good luck. let me know how you make out if you decide to persue this...
BTW, at a used car dealer I was working at, we stopped flushing trannies
after the third one gave up within 500 miles of being flushed...and I mean
TOTALLY gave up...either not moving in one gear, or not moving AT ALL!
(no, we didn't do the sawdust thing...!)
>> Stay informed about: Which ATF Fluid for 94 caravan? 
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