I wonder if I should change the trans fluid and filter. I really am afraid to change it, everytime I have done this on previous vehicles the transmission would go out after a day or two. I doubt it has ever been changed. It has 220,000 on it now. What do you guys think?
Hey, swpify, if you are still here, here is a thread from another Dakota Forum where that topic becomes part of the discussion.
Hey guys, new here! Quick intro, Dad has always been into Dodge. I've never been a big car geek, but I like tinkering here and there, and ended up owning Dodge's for the last 10 years due to my dad. Anyways, here with a problem (surprise) 09 Dakota 4.7 Big Horn Engine Code: P0868, Low...
www.dakota-durango.com
But to summarize: it was suggested that if the tranny maintenance history was unknown, it would be best to do a filter/fluid change and then after a relatively short period of time (like around 100 miles) to do another fluid/filter change. The logic being that the tranny would build up a varnish coating on internal parts and, as Arrow typed, ATF being highly detergent would break that varnish down and as it circulated it would obstruct the filter and potential tranny damage/failure risk would exist.
I won't offer an opinion on this as I do not have enough experience with this subject.
I will, however, relate my most recent experience. Not horribly long ago I checked the fluid on my Dak & noted it was pretty dark on the dipstick. I had done the fluid/filter within around 25k and I dropped the pan to do another one (this was when I put on that aftermarket pan with a drain plug that Arrow & I were discussing). There was some pretty ugly stuff in the bottom of the pan, so I did some soul searching and decided the lesser of two evils was to get as much of the fluid that must be completely full of crap out of there. I put a 5/8" ID hose on the pressure (out) fitting on the tranny case and dumped in 10 quarts and pressed purge. Then I serviced the tranny to the proper limit and drove it until I had around 100 miles on it & did another filter/fluid change and that's what I am driving it on today.
Two or three things to quickly point out:
1) I believe the mess in my fluid was due to my front band either going out or being misadjusted because of how much adjustment it took me to get the torque right this time around, and NOT due to clutches or ancient fluid.
2) At the time my tranny shifted great and was strong in all four gears (including second) and it STILL is.
3) I am not offering any of this as a recommendation because I simply do not know. I have three pickups and I am at a point in my life where I don't drive any of them an ungodly amount, so if my 46RE is going south, it may be a while until it happens.
4) I think I may have brought this to your attention previously in this thread, but just in case you are not familiar with Dodge trannys yet, I'll remind you again (in case you do mess around with a fluid/filter change). The 46RE takes ATF+4, NOT Dex/Merc. Unlike other automatic trannys I have owned, you have to check the 46RE while it is in N (NOT in Park) (and obviously when it is hot and running).