I just returned from the local Dodge dealership in my area after having my transmission serviced. It is on a 1998 dodge caravan with a 3.8 liter engine and 220,000 miles. We had the transmission replaced at 120,000 with a dodge OEM remanufactured transmission and we have had the transmission fluid replaced at 170,000 miles so we were due again at 220,000 miles.

The local dodge dealer convinced me to have the transmission flushed versus the drop pan, drain fluid process that I have had done in the past. I am now worried that I may have made a mistake in letting the dealership do the flush after doing some more research on this site. The fluid was still red and didn't smell burned so I don't think there was a lot of varnish and sludge in the transmission but you never know.

The dealer did use the mopar +4 synthetic fluid with the flush but do not drop the transmission pan or replace the trans filter. Should I run the vehicle for about 500 to 1,000 miles and then take the vehicle back to the dealer and have them drop the trans pan and replace the trans filter just in case it picks up a bunch of sludge and particles from the flush or I am being overly cautious?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Jeff

 

might as well never bother changing the engine oil filter... same results.

 

Transmisson flushes are nonsense. Lemme guess...BG? Most of that stuff is horse $hit. It's a money maker and it's a good selling line if it's presented right. Don't do them. Neither Chrysler or any other carmaker to my knowledge recommends them. Your money is better spent on better quality gas, regular fluid changes, brakes, tires, shocks, struts, plugs & wires, manual throttle body cleaning, etc.

On another note...If you're going to only change your trans fluid every 50K you might as well not ever do it and just run the sucker till it quits pulling and get a new one.

 

Points well taken and thanks for the advice.

Now that the trans flush has been performed and the trans filter wasn't replaced as part of the service, should I go ahead and get the filter replaced and if so, when? Should I do it immediately of wait 500 to 1,000 miles so it picks up any pieces of varnish or friction material?

Any Guidance would be greatly appreciated

 

it doesn't matter, there pump flows 100's of gallons per hour and the system holds 8 qts.

I'd be back to the dealer raising holy hell to have the job done RIGHT.