Re: Wrong Transmission Fluid

Kasper wrote:
> I understand that Dexron transmission fluid is not to be used in
Chrysler
> front-wheel drive transmissions, and that the correct fluid to use is
ATF+4.
> I¹ve also heard that wear and damage can result from using the wrong
fluid.
> 
> My ¹98 Town & Country transmission was recently overhauled by a local
> transmission shop.  About 200 miles later, the trans started having
trouble
> shifting and was slipping badly.  Rather than take it back to the same
shop,
> I took it to the local Chrysler dealer.  They took it apart and showed
me
> the disassembled transmission.  It appeared that the original shop did
> rebuild it correctly, replacing the clutches and gears.  But the
clutches
> were badly burnt and had to be replaced again.  It was then that I found
out
> that the original shop used a Dexron/Mercon fluid instead of ATF+4.
> 
> My question is:  Could using the wrong fluid have caused the clutches to
> burn out so quickly?   I don¹t see any other explanation.  Wouldn¹t this
be
> considered negligence or incompetence on the part of the people who used
the
> wrong fluid?
> 
> Also: What is it about Dexron that causes damage to Chrysler
transmissions?
> 
> [To reply by email, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my email
> address with the letter "p"]

Absolutely the Dexron could be responsible for the damaged clutches. 
The earlier Chrysler TSB's that OK'd changing over older vehicles that 
came with earlier types of ATF to ATF+4 excluded certain vehicles from 
the approved changeover list.  The reason for the exclusion of those 
vehicles specifically cited potential for damage to the clutches.

NOW - a later TSB superceded that one and added in those previously 
excluded vehicles (which I believe were certain years of the minivans). 
  I'm not a transmission expert, but the fact that there was caution and 
delay in approving the preciously excluded vehicles tells you that the 
fluid properties are critical to preventing clutch wear/damage.  But I 
don't know how you prove it.

The transmission service industry is convinced that Dexron™ with an 
additive is equivalent to ATF+4, and uses the circular argument of their 
own trade journals to "prove" it.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my 
address with the letter 'x')