Hey Everyone...

I have a 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport, 3.9L, it's an automatic tranmission. I had my oil changed, and the guy at the shop said I had a tranmission fluid leak from a gasket. I noticed the fluid on my driveway the other day, it's a slow leak, and I'm keeping the fluids up to level. What type of ATF fluid should I put into my truck, and where do I get this part? I don't even know what a gasket is really, it's a piece of rubber, or metal? is it big or small? does anyone know which gasket this probably is, and what it looks like, and where I can get it from?

any help is much appreciated,

Cheers,
John

 

yeah, i have the same problem, i have to replace my tranny pan gasket. as for type of fluid, this is from the FAQ..

What automatic transmission fluid should I use?- Use ONLY ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluids! Under no circumstances should you ever use Dexron or Mercon transmission fluids! One special note: many synthetic transmission fluids (such as Amsoil and Mobil 1) are approved for Dexron/Mercon and are also either ATF+3 or ATF+4 approved OR "recommended for Chrysler transmissions," and it is perfectly fine to use these fluids.

i need to know where i can get it too, can anyone help?

Thanks guys, this site is awesome!!

 

The gasket they were referring to is probably the transmission pan gasket and it is included in a transmission filter kit if you decide to change it yourself. Some filter suppliers include a rubber gasket and other use a cork gasket...you can buy the gasket by itself but for a couple of extra bucks and 5 extra minutes your better off replacing the filter too. Changing a pan gasket and filter is pretty easy, just have a big catch pan ready, use RTV on cork gaskets and use a torque wrench to put everything back together. I'd also suggest replacing the o-ring on the speedometer drive when the transmission fluid is drained.

 

The guy at "Roadside Assistance", said there are two types of tranmissions. I didn't know which one my truck is, and he only had one in stock, so I took the one out of two he had. I'm not even sure if this is the right gasket. It's rubber I think, and it's pretty large, over several inches by several inches, and it's not circular or anything, it's a squarish shape. This isn't what I expected in my mind, I thought I was getting a metal plug or something like that. What type of transmission do I most likely have? Should I buy special ATF fluid that is for vehicle with over 75k miles? I have 105k, I'm not sure if this matters much.

 

You most likely have the 42RH (also known as the A-500)
If its the transmission pan gasket, it will be large. Over 10 inches by 10 inches (exactly how big, I don't know)
As far as fluid, I only recommend ATF+4, which now days, can usually be found at any parts store. Heck, my local Wal-Mart sells the real Mopar stuff.

 

to replace my tranny pan gasket, i have to drain the pan and stuff, should i put the old tranny fluid back in? or just replace it all, (my guess is replace it) and if i do replace the fluid, its like doing an oil change, just empty the pan and put new oil in after im done with the pan..how much fluid would i need if i didnt replace the fillter? if i did?

Thanks guys

 

Ok, heres the deal:
The transmission actually hold about11 quarts of fluid ("dry fill"). Most of it is stored in the torque convertor, lines, and the transmission itself. About 4 quarts is held in the pan. (11-4=7, quite a lot of fluid doesn't get changed by just dropping the pan).
The amount of fluid required for dropping the pan only versus dropping the pan and replacing the filter is slim-to-none, because unlike car oil filters, the transmission fluid filter doesn't hold any fluid (just the little bit that is saturated in the filter material).
Either way, if you don't flush the transmission, you will need about 4 quarts. 5 or 6 to be on the safe side.
Also, a little advice, I highly recommend adding a drain plug to the pan. These can be picked up at any auto parts stores for a few bucks (see picture). Don't worry, if you don't think you need one now, you'll think twice when your taking the pan off, finding out themess it will save you next time . (It will make you wonder why they weren't factory standard)


[IMG]local://upfiles/948/1464C1A93AC044C18577AEDCA633D9F5.jpg[/IMG]

 

thanks alot dodge..i need to get this thing buttoned up and not leaking all over the driveway.....


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Dropping the pan is a messy process! Unscrew the bolts holding the pan a little at a time. Once one side is off, let the pan tilt and drain out as much fluid as possibble.

drop another side and let more drain out, then drop all the bolts and carefully take the pan off.

replace the filter, clean off the old gasket from the pan with a razor blade or lightly grinding it with a wire wheel. Make sure pieces of the old gasket are not sticking to the transmission as well.

Also a good idea to clean out the inside of the pan with parts cleaner.

Use a little bit of RTV sealant and put the new gasket on the pan (almost like youre gluing the gasket onto the pan).

Line the pan back up and hand thread the bolts back in, making sure the gasket is aligned properly. Once all bolts are in, tighten them down. (not sure on the torque specs) and check to make sure the gasket is installed properly, nothing sticking way out.

top off your tranny fluid and check for leaks.

 

thanks man, i gotta vuy the gasket first, but ill let you guys know how it turned out.