Second Trans Rebuild?
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 25
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From: Yorkville, IL
Second Trans Rebuild?
I have been reading much online about Dodge transmissions and the need for using only Dodge trans fluid...
Unfortunately, my reading is due to circumstances that have already ruined my trans. After only 64k miles and moderate driving (no towing), the trans went out. Local Dodge dealer said overhaul - but I wanted a second opinion having nearly been shafted by another dealer on my Spirit trans (only needed a $35 sensor I relpaced myself).
Took it to AAMCO - said it needed an overhaul and quoted nearly the same price. Really friendly folks and spoke to tech who would be working on my truck - supposedly knew Dodge inside out and spoke like it.
Little did I realize the dependancy on that Dodge fluid!!! [:@] Driving over the summer (with roughly 80k miles now and out of warranty) on a long, hot highway trip, I looked behind to discover big white clouds of smoke trailing me. After pulling over, I noticed trans fluid on the pavement. Checking the dipstick, I noticed the fluid was foaming - and after letting it cool down discovered AAMCO way overfilled it...
I lowered the fluid level with the old siphon out of the dipstick tube trick (I hate dropping the pan). But the trans started slipping when cold during the 1-2 shift. And I still get fluid dripping out so obviously a seal is blown. From underneath, I cannot locate the source.
I am assuming another rebuild is needed to set everything right. But I thought I would get your input first... I am not a trans guy - have avoided touching it like the plague so it is the area I know the least about...
Unfortunately, my reading is due to circumstances that have already ruined my trans. After only 64k miles and moderate driving (no towing), the trans went out. Local Dodge dealer said overhaul - but I wanted a second opinion having nearly been shafted by another dealer on my Spirit trans (only needed a $35 sensor I relpaced myself).
Took it to AAMCO - said it needed an overhaul and quoted nearly the same price. Really friendly folks and spoke to tech who would be working on my truck - supposedly knew Dodge inside out and spoke like it.
Little did I realize the dependancy on that Dodge fluid!!! [:@] Driving over the summer (with roughly 80k miles now and out of warranty) on a long, hot highway trip, I looked behind to discover big white clouds of smoke trailing me. After pulling over, I noticed trans fluid on the pavement. Checking the dipstick, I noticed the fluid was foaming - and after letting it cool down discovered AAMCO way overfilled it...
I lowered the fluid level with the old siphon out of the dipstick tube trick (I hate dropping the pan). But the trans started slipping when cold during the 1-2 shift. And I still get fluid dripping out so obviously a seal is blown. From underneath, I cannot locate the source.
I am assuming another rebuild is needed to set everything right. But I thought I would get your input first... I am not a trans guy - have avoided touching it like the plague so it is the area I know the least about...
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 25
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From: Yorkville, IL
RE: Second Trans Rebuild?
AAMCO charged $1642.00 incl. tax, etc. The local Dodge dealer quoted a very similar price.
Had I reversed the order of getting quotes, I would likely have stayed with the Dodge dealer since the price was the same - and possibly avoided the current issue.
The truck is still driveable by carefully monitoring fluid levels - but I need to do something REAL soon to make sure I don't get stuck someplace! [&o]
Had I reversed the order of getting quotes, I would likely have stayed with the Dodge dealer since the price was the same - and possibly avoided the current issue.
The truck is still driveable by carefully monitoring fluid levels - but I need to do something REAL soon to make sure I don't get stuck someplace! [&o]
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Joined: Jun 2004
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RE: Second Trans Rebuild?
Mopar trannies have always been very finicky on fluid. The FWD A604 tranny is notorious for failing if you put anything other than ATFIII in it. The truck trannies are a little less forgiving, but still you have to be careful.
I had mine rebuilt a couple years ago for $1200 by a local shop. Has about 70k miles on the rebuild so far. Original lasted 120k miles. This was on a 92 though. No real difference in the tranny other than the electronic controls.
I had mine rebuilt a couple years ago for $1200 by a local shop. Has about 70k miles on the rebuild so far. Original lasted 120k miles. This was on a 92 though. No real difference in the tranny other than the electronic controls.
