kmoore737

Working on a father/son SC 400 project. Sat for 5 years in a garage....139k on the clock....anyway the tranny fluid is brownish in color. No way of knowing MX history. Would love to change the fluid but I remember from years ago that if the tranny fluid isn't changed regularly it is best to leave it alone. It is killing me knowing what appears to be "dirty" fluid is in the tranny......Should I change it???

kmoore737

Oops...should have put this in the MX section....sorry....newbie

kmoore737

Working on a father/son SC 400 project. PO let it sit unused for 5 years in a garage....139k on the clock....anyway the tranny fluid is brownish in color. No way of knowing MX history. Would love to change the fluid but I remember from years ago that if the tranny fluid isn't changed regularly it is best to leave it alone. It is killing me knowing what appears to be "dirty" fluid is in the tranny......Should I change it???

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

I merged your threads together because they were almost identical questions about whether you should change the transmission fluid.

If it is really dirty and not a nice red color, and its bothering you, and a father/son project, go ahead and change it.
on these old trans you normally just do the old drain refill and filter. Don't do the flush unless you want to risk causing more problems.

2jpowa

iTrader: (3)

Drive the car and make sure the trans is solid. Also when you drop the pan no material if that checks you can change it no problem. Uselly the only time you wouldn't change it. When its super high milage and the tranny slips or has a ruff gear engagement.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

well its actually better to change it before it breaks or starts slipping.
the problem you hear about is when they put pressure through the system to get all the gunk out, and that can mess up the trans.
you are just supossed to drain and refill, and then there will be more of the good fluid than the bad and it will all even itself out during regular driving.

2jpowa

iTrader: (3)

Yup uselly if its slipping and you change the fluid it will break away clutch material from cluthes that weren't slipping to.begin with because of the newer fluid.

2jpowa

iTrader: (3)

Also when its slipping that's the indication that the clutches are worn and when you add new fluid with stronger friction modifier in it. It will uselly start tearing apart the other clutches too. But seeing its only got 140k and fluid was just dirty and not burnt it'll be fine just make sure to replace filter with it !

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

It should be changed at the recommended intervals and there is no danger if you do it then or even a little over. I have seen it black before so brown you are still ok but it something that is changed regularly.
once it starts slipping, that means its already damaged, and its much harder to get it working again then if at all. If I had one that started slipping I would just swap it out, they are a very common and inexpensive transmission.
Plus since he mentioned it being a father/son project, its good to teach proper maintenance and a nice easy DIY cause right now it will only cost you the amount of oil and filter. later on it could cost more especially if you aren't babying the trans.

2jpowa

iTrader: (3)

Yup called pm preventive maintaince but I was just answering the question of when do you know not.to change your transmission fluid. In these cars the transmissions are so cheap you can replace them without breaking your pocket but on the Chrysler transmissions I build for a living they can come to be a pretty penny. I was Simply saying if you drive it and the transmission is solid and shifts good on any car its safe to change the fluid but if you drive a car and it seems to have a internal problem don't change fluid because it will make it worse.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

that I agree with

kmoore737

Thanks for the info....we just got the car running and it purrs like a kitten. Tires are dry rotted to the point of not holding air....so it will be some time before we get it out on the road to see how it shifts.