My wife has a 99 durango 5.9. Yesterday it started slipping in gear... I checked the trans fluid and it was really low and dark. I added some fluid to get it into the acceptable range, and took I'd down the block. Started running just fine again. On the way back it started slipping again. Got into the driveway and it would barely move. It revs way out before it even starts rolling. Backed it up and noticed a large line of trans fluid on the ground. Looked underneath and it looks like its coming down the front of the transmission. I want to get under it tomorrow to take a look a little better.

Question is, what should I look at? Is this a common problem? I'm not really familiar with transmissions. I searched a little and saw stuff about torque converters and such.. Just looking for a little insight of what's possibly the problem. Thanks for any help!

 

You need to pm master tech he's the tranny expert around here

 

Sounds like you have a leaking transmission coolant line, wipe down the lines(put your D up on sturdy jack stands first of course) and you should be able to see where it's leaking from...kingoftow

 

Alright. I'm hoping it's just a leaking line or gasket or something cheap. It seems I may have a little hope that the trans isn't shot due to the fact that it shifted ok when I added fluid. If it is a cooling line, how hard are those to fix? I have no experience working on transmissions other than changing fluid and filters. Just trying to get a feel if it would be ok to try myself or if the cost of labor is worth not doing it myself... I guess I'll check to make sure of what it is before I get to ahead of myself... Thanks for the quick responses!

 

Yeah 32, it's not a hard fix at all if it's a line, depending on where it is you can usually cut the line at the point of the leak with a small tubing cutter (available at Advance, Napa, Autozone etc.) and after removing the bad section (2to3inches) splice in the piece of 5/16'' ''TRANSMISSION LINE'' hose also available at the parts store. USE GOOD QUALITY CLAMPS (2 on each side of the repair) This should get you up and running ,...kingoftow

 

Well I pulled it apart and I looks as if it was just the gasket. The gasket was all hard and crusty except in the front right corner, it was loose and kind of stretched looking. I'm hoping that's all it is. The only other thing that looks to be a place it can leak from that spot, is the dip stick. Not sure how this stays in place but it looks like there is an o-ring on the bottom but it looks perfectly fine. Any way to double check this?

Also, the fluid was very dark and watery. Anything I should do when replacing gasket and filter? I was going to add some Lucas, as that has worked wonders on my other cars... How much fluid should I add now that I'm changing the filter? Thanks

 

do NOT put anything besides Chrysler approved ATF +3 or +4 into that transmission, it will cost you alot down the road a little ways.

If i were you and had the pan down i would buy a new filter, a new gasket and enough fluid to do a full system purge (12 or 16 qts iirc) and i would do a system purge to make surei got all the old fluid out. Transmission fluid should be red in color and not watery

 

It took 14qrts to do my purge.

 

How exactly does one do a purge?

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ml#post2120674