trans fluid change (or not)
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trans fluid change (or not) - 7/5/2006 9:48:56 PM
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djk1
Posts: 1
Joined: 7/5/2006
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I recently purchased a 97' Montero Sport from a freind with 120K miles, and learned he nevered changed the trans fluid. A mechanic told me with that many miles, changing it will do more harm than good. Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Thanks, Dan
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 7/6/2006 12:12:12 PM
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off roader
Posts: 419
Joined: 10/20/2005
Status: offline
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I've heard contradicting opinions on this for pretty much any transmission. IIRC, you can sum it up this way...
If your tranny is screwed, you're already screwed anyways. May as well know the reality of it and get it fixed instead of having it fail at a truly inopportune moment.
On the upside, the Mitsu Automatic tranny in my Gen I is truly a marvel in reliability so I wouldn't be surprised if your 97's tranny still works after the fluid change.
Also, once you know it works fine, I recommend a flush (not a simple drain and refill) every 1-2 years. FWIW, a flush is where they start your engine, let it warm up, set the parking brake & put it in drive (maybe), and while the tranny's engaged and operating disconnect your tranny cooler in lines and allow the fluid to drain while they refill it from the fluid level check spout. Once clear fluid comes out the turn off the engine, reconnect the hose and your done.
Cost for this service in the San Francisco Bay Area is ~$75 and since I take mine off road (1990 v6 Automatic) on hard core trails like the Rubicon, etc. I do this service annually instead of the normal recommended service interval.
_____________________________
1990 3.0L SOHC V6 4 Door Montero
Custom bumpers, rocker panel protection & skids
Built for wheeling.
1989 3.0L SOHC V6 2 Door Montero
Off road virgin... about to change that <GRIN>
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 7/7/2006 5:29:06 PM
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caverspencer
Posts: 6
Joined: 5/31/2006
Status: offline
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While we are on the topic of fluids..
What can you guys tell me about synthetics? I just traded in my '98 MS for an '02 and was considering chaging all the fluids with synthetics. It almost to the 60k mark which is the first recomnended change for many of them. It also means the end of the waranty so wether i use what they recomend does not matter for waranty reasons.
Are synthetics as good as the recomended fluids? What are the advantages to sythetics?
Can you also give me a list of what you recomemnd I run in the difs, trany, tcase, and engine oil?
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 7/8/2006 12:58:37 AM
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off roader
Posts: 419
Joined: 10/20/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Joel_CA
... but i'd stick with Mitsu Diamond SPIII for the auto trans.
I definitely echo what Joel's saying regaring using Mitsu fluid over synthetics in the tranny. I'm even willing to make a wager that you'll be rebuilding your tranny if you use synthetics (regardless of what they say they're compatible with).
_____________________________
1990 3.0L SOHC V6 4 Door Montero
Custom bumpers, rocker panel protection & skids
Built for wheeling.
1989 3.0L SOHC V6 2 Door Montero
Off road virgin... about to change that <GRIN>
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 7/14/2006 2:42:43 PM
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Winshawn
Posts: 269
Joined: 1/31/2005
Status: offline
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I think Redline makes the best gear oils. Also, you should use a GL-4 fluid for the transfer case. Mobil does not make one. Redline does.
_____________________________
'90 Montero (sold-sadly)
'95 Montero LS (166k) - my car
'03 Montero Limited (36k) - wife's car
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 9/5/2006 10:35:35 PM
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firemedicntx
Posts: 1
Joined: 9/5/2006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: caverspencer
While we are on the topic of fluids..
What can you guys tell me about synthetics? I just traded in my '98 MS for an '02 and was considering chaging all the fluids with synthetics. It almost to the 60k mark which is the first recomnended change for many of them. It also means the end of the waranty so wether i use what they recomend does not matter for waranty reasons.
Are synthetics as good as the recomended fluids? What are the advantages to sythetics?
Can you also give me a list of what you recomemnd I run in the difs, trany, tcase, and engine oil?
Real 100% Synthetic fluids, meaning PAO's and esters, are superior in every way to regular non-synthetic fluids. That includes the Mitsu Diamond SPIII tranny fluid. Running them will give you the maximum protection you can get from friction, shear, and oxidation, and have the added benifit of lasting much longer than a regular mineral oil making extended drain intervals possible if you so choose.
I just read 2 old wives tales in this thread. Changing your old worn out, burnt transmission fluid is always a good thing, and if your tranny goes after you do this, it would have blown with the old worn out fluid quicker. Synthetic fluids, including transmission fluid, exceed the specifications from the manufacturer. That means they are better fluids. They are resistant to higher heat, run cleaner longer, slicker which reduces friction, and have lower flow point temps. Why wouldn't you put a better fluid in your transmission if you could?
The syn specific companies all make good fluids with varing price ranges, and products. Some, like Mobil 1, don't offer fluids for every need. I have been using Amsoil in everything I own for about ten years now and believe it has helped many of my vehicles hit over 100,000 miles and a few of them have ran over 200,000 miles with no major problems, and sold in good running order. Here is the synthetic transmission fluid I run in my 2000 montero sport 3.0 with over 70K:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx
You will find links on that page to the various other fluids and info you can obtain from Amsoil. Redline and royal purple also make good synthetic fluids, but cost a little more.
Before anyone says somthing about it, Im not a dealer. I've noticed the difference synthetic fluids have made in my various engines and transmissions and like to share the info with others who may not know of the many advantages synthetic fluids have over mineral based.
Daniel
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 9/6/2006 4:15:11 PM
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montero1
Posts: 67
Joined: 12/26/2005
Status: offline
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I second that on Amsoil. I've used their synthetic trans fluid in the 3 Mitsubishis I've had with no problem.
I even used ATF+3 where Diamond SPIII (ATF+4) was specified. Many other Mitsu owners have as well, as until recently, you couldn't get ATF+4 at the local Auto store.
I'm also skeptical about GL-5 gear oil harming your transfer case, as opposed to using GL-4.
Sure, if it calls for GL-4, I'd try and get it, but a lot of stores don't have it, or if they do, it says "GL-4/GL-5".
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RE: trans fluid change (or not) - 9/6/2006 5:47:52 PM
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Manybrews
Posts: 712
Joined: 5/23/2003
From: United States
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: djk1
I recently purchased a 97' Montero Sport from a freind with 120K miles, and learned he nevered changed the trans fluid. A mechanic told me with that many miles, changing it will do more harm than good. Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Thanks, Dan
that is an ages old tale that may have been true on a crappy 71 pontiac, but is NOT true on anything modern.
change your fluid.
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