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30k miles HELP!

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  #1  
Old 07-09-2005 | 10:11 PM
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Default 30k miles HELP!

Ok, so I get the list of stuff to do for the 30k overhaul. Tranny, coolant, spark plugs, oil change. I go in to talk to Dodge cause the service manual I have says I need to change two filters in the tranny. Here's what they say about all my questions.

Tranny:
Draining the tranny fluid is not enough, need to drain torque converter too, should let dodge do it ($165)
My thoughts: i want to do it myself for fun and to learn, should i buck up and pay or what? The shop on base will do a "flush" for $90 which they hook it up to a machine but do not replace filters. Can I drain the torque converter myself?

Spark Plugs:
Don't use NKG's or Boschs, Dodge vehicles don't like them and will start to misfire. Do not use multi-tipped plugs. Just use what came in it, Champions.
My thoughts: Can I upgrade to NKG's or does it really matter?

Oil Change:
Change synthetic every 3k still.
My thoughts: I thought I could go 6k, is this not true?

Coolant:
Base Shop will hook it up and flush it thru a machine for $40. Should I let them or just drain it myself?

So what do you guys think? I enjoy working on my truck, that's why I bought it and I don't have tons of money to blow on paying people to do work for me.
 
  #2  
Old 07-10-2005 | 02:06 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

DAMN thats alot of crap to have to do at only 30,000! Funny my 2001 Toyota that I had didnt have to have anything done to it till it hit 100,000... mkaes you go hhhmmmm sometimes. My truck is at 26,000 now, maybe I will just go and buy a new Dodge every 36,000 miles to avoid a bunch of "preventive maintenance" that Dodge doesnt build their trucks well enough to avoid. After all why should you have to change the coolant within a year and a half? Or change the tranny fluid and both filters, I can somewhat understand the sparkplugs since there are 16 of them, but as for the synth oil, screw that, I use the 7500 miles formula stuff and I change it every 5K miles and even then it is still the same color and has the same slick feeling as it did when I put it in there. Something is awefull goofy about all of this. I had a 1996 Dodge Ram and I never changed the tranny fluid or the coolant in the 83,000 miles and 4 years that I drove it and never had any issues nor did any service advisors even suggest it for that matter and I did work for the dealership. I also never had any problems getting anything covered under warranty or have anyone blink an eye towards it otherwise.

All I can say is that they arent getting me to change either the coolant or the tranny fluid till around 50,000(if I keep it that long).

What I do find interesting is that under our "Basic warranty" everything is covered with the exception of few items that are obvious but spark plugs, coolant and tranny fluid/filters is not on the excluded list... if they dont want to fix my sh*t when it breaks within the 36,000 then they should do that stuff for free as far as I am concerned.
 
  #3  
Old 07-10-2005 | 03:02 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!


ORIGINAL: WingViper

Ok, so I get the list of stuff to do for the 30k overhaul. Tranny, coolant, spark plugs, oil change. I go in to talk to Dodge cause the service manual I have says I need to change two filters in the tranny. Here's what they say about all my questions.

Tranny:
Draining the tranny fluid is not enough, need to drain torque converter too, should let dodge do it ($165)
My thoughts: i want to do it myself for fun and to learn, should i buck up and pay or what? The shop on base will do a "flush" for $90 which they hook it up to a machine but do not replace filters. Can I drain the torque converter myself?

Spark Plugs:
Don't use NKG's or Boschs, Dodge vehicles don't like them and will start to misfire. Do not use multi-tipped plugs. Just use what came in it, Champions.
My thoughts: Can I upgrade to NKG's or does it really matter?

Oil Change:
Change synthetic every 3k still.
My thoughts: I thought I could go 6k, is this not true?

Coolant:
Base Shop will hook it up and flush it thru a machine for $40. Should I let them or just drain it myself?

So what do you guys think? I enjoy working on my truck, that's why I bought it and I don't have tons of money to blow on paying people to do work for me.
I always do my own work. As for the plugs I put in the stock brand. If it my daily commuter, not a show or sunday driver.
 
  #4  
Old 07-10-2005 | 11:37 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

That comes from the severe duty, schedule "B" from the shop manual, but they forgot the axle lube. It's always been SOP to change filters and fluid on any domestic vehicle tranny. SOme would say watch the fluid color, if it's still a tranparent red color your OK, if it's a brownish red color you need to have it changed. Personally it's alot less expensive to have it changed, than have it wear the tranny.
 
  #5  
Old 07-10-2005 | 03:55 PM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

You've gotta remember with synthetics you can extend your oil change intervals but the filters still get clogged just as fast. And do the additives last longer or are they gone early too?

As far as the coolant goes I'd just drain/refill if you're going to do it every 36k. If you let it go 100k+ I'd definately have it power flushed. The spark plugs I somewhat agree with you on that. Forget the multi-tips but I'd probably go with Bosch. Champion Truck plugs are shyte. Don't bother buying them.
 
  #6  
Old 07-11-2005 | 03:44 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

Funny my 2001 Toyota that I had didnt have to have anything done to it till it hit 100,000... mkaes you go hhhmmmm sometimes.
He is talking about preventative maintenance, not the 100k till first tune up. !You will find that toyota has the same deal on preventative maintnance. I know because I own one to. If you are running that dexacool coolant that they say can go 100k before replace then you should get rid of that crap right away.
 
  #7  
Old 07-11-2005 | 12:03 PM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

You can do the tranny service yourself, but you'll need a hand to change out all the fluid. To do this you need to drain the pan, change filters and ADJUST BANDS. Refill with tanny fluid. Then you can disconnect the return tranny cooler line and let it run at idle while you pour more fluid into the dipstick at same rate. This will get the tranny fluid out of the TC.

Plugs you can change yourself but don't forget that the $5 plugs add up fast when you've got 16 of 'em.

Radiator flush is not necessary, just drain and fill. Just make sure you get the correct mixture.

Oil change regular dino every 3K or synthetic every 5-6K miles.

Rear end you can change now and look for bits of metal shavings. If anything out of the ordinary, take pics incase it bombs later.

Total shouldn't run you more than $125-$150 and an afternoon of your time.
 
  #8  
Old 07-18-2005 | 12:29 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

Well, I went to go get spark plugs, and lo-and-behold, they don't make single tip bosch spark plugs for the 5.7L. is this true or are the guys down here morons? Could I go multi-tip? I read in the manual that multitip for the 4.7 is bad but nothing for the 5.7 on the subject. Or should I go champions? (which i don't want to do) Any word on NGK's?
 
  #9  
Old 07-18-2005 | 02:24 AM
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Default RE: 30k miles HELP!

I'm running NGK V-Powers. No problems thus far after 9K miles. Champion plugs are not my favorite, nor are Bosch.

As far as the transmission goes, just make sure you use Mopar ATF+4. Other brands may claim they are compatible with ATF+4, but DC says the fluid must be ATF+4 certified. Only Mopar's ATF+4 is certified. You can drain the system by yourself. There's an instruction sheet on Amsoil's Web site someplace.

The differentials on an '04 are supposed to be drained and refilled every 15K. Of course, if you have a 4x2, you'll only have the rear differential. Make sure to use the LS additive if you have the anti-spin rear end.
 



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