Timing Belt or Timing Chain (plus reliability of trannie)
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Timing Belt or Timing Chain (plus reliability of trannie)
Just purchased a used 2004 Anniversary Edition SE, Midnight Blue, 69,000km.
Question to you folks:
(1) Does the 3.3L come with a timing belt or chain? And what are manufacturer recommended service intervals?
(2) Reliability of the automatic transmission on this sort of model year? If you can gauge this reliability issue for me.... (Engine noted above). (worried about the transmission, es. hearing from past issues with other model years). And recommended service interval (eg. flush or just drop the pan/filter, etc...). I was surprised that Dodge (canada) recommends to 'change atf' at the 96,000km mark on service schedule 'b' (severe), whereas no atf change was required if one was following service schedule 'a' (normal). Dodge dealer also confirmed this. Wonder what you thought of this?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
(gearing up for the winter season....)
Question to you folks:
(1) Does the 3.3L come with a timing belt or chain? And what are manufacturer recommended service intervals?
(2) Reliability of the automatic transmission on this sort of model year? If you can gauge this reliability issue for me.... (Engine noted above). (worried about the transmission, es. hearing from past issues with other model years). And recommended service interval (eg. flush or just drop the pan/filter, etc...). I was surprised that Dodge (canada) recommends to 'change atf' at the 96,000km mark on service schedule 'b' (severe), whereas no atf change was required if one was following service schedule 'a' (normal). Dodge dealer also confirmed this. Wonder what you thought of this?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
(gearing up for the winter season....)
Last edited by jkimchi; Oct 26, 2008 at 05:33 PM.
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The 3.3L has a timing chain. No service recommendation for replacing the chain.
The 3.3L is a very reliable engine.
The auto trans has been problematic in the past. Most of that was differential related.
The diff was redesigned in 2000 and failures are much less common now.
It's true normal service is lifetime for the fluid. The factory fluid is a high quality synthetic blend but I would still consider doing a trans fluid and filter change on your van if it hasn't ever been done.
Be aware the new ATF+4 turns dark quicker than normal and has an odd smell. Don't mistake Brownish fluid as a sign of a failing trans.
Congrats on the new van!
The 3.3L is a very reliable engine.
The auto trans has been problematic in the past. Most of that was differential related.
The diff was redesigned in 2000 and failures are much less common now.
It's true normal service is lifetime for the fluid. The factory fluid is a high quality synthetic blend but I would still consider doing a trans fluid and filter change on your van if it hasn't ever been done.
Be aware the new ATF+4 turns dark quicker than normal and has an odd smell. Don't mistake Brownish fluid as a sign of a failing trans.
Congrats on the new van!
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 247
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Just purchased a used 2004 Anniversary Edition SE, Midnight Blue, 69,000km.
Question to you folks:
(1) Does the 3.3L come with a timing belt or chain? And what are manufacturer recommended service intervals?
(2) Reliability of the automatic transmission on this sort of model year? If you can gauge this reliability issue for me.... (Engine noted above). (worried about the transmission, es. hearing from past issues with other model years). And recommended service interval (eg. flush or just drop the pan/filter, etc...). I was surprised that Dodge (canada) recommends to 'change atf' at the 96,000km mark on service schedule 'b' (severe), whereas no atf change was required if one was following service schedule 'a' (normal). Dodge dealer also confirmed this. Wonder what you thought of this?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
(gearing up for the winter season....)
Question to you folks:
(1) Does the 3.3L come with a timing belt or chain? And what are manufacturer recommended service intervals?
(2) Reliability of the automatic transmission on this sort of model year? If you can gauge this reliability issue for me.... (Engine noted above). (worried about the transmission, es. hearing from past issues with other model years). And recommended service interval (eg. flush or just drop the pan/filter, etc...). I was surprised that Dodge (canada) recommends to 'change atf' at the 96,000km mark on service schedule 'b' (severe), whereas no atf change was required if one was following service schedule 'a' (normal). Dodge dealer also confirmed this. Wonder what you thought of this?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
(gearing up for the winter season....)
http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html
(2) The ATF+4 transmission fluid was designed for a 100,000 mile life using Group 3 base oils, versus Group 2 base oils for the ATF+3. Group 3 base oils pass as synthetics even though true synthetics are made from Group 4 or 5 base oils.
As to "normal" versus "severe" operation and corresponding maintenance schedules, interpretation comes into play. Some people hear what they want to hear. Others say "normal", in fact, is impossible to achieve. The Haynes Manual 2003 thru 2006, cuts to the chase and says replace fluid and filter at 100,000 miles. If severe operation (taxi type service, trailer towing, etc.) they say replace fluid and filter at 60,000 miles. Fluid changes, in this case, is the pan drop, which gets about 50% of the fluid changed. If you are thinking of flushes, I wouldn't go there unless they change the filter after the flush.
