Joined
Jan 13, 2014 · 48 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Jan 14, 2014 Hi, I changed transmission fluids and filter during the weekend. I used ATF+4 (Valvoline) as mentioned over and over on this forum. Unfortunately I didn't have access during the weekend for Mopar fluid so had to use other brand. My minivan is Chrysler 2004 Town & Country Limited, 3.8 L, 2 wd and I have 142000 miles on it. I was
told that I need 4 qt but when filling I luckily checked after 3.5 qt and found my dip stick shoving low end on the "hot scale", naturally engine and fluids were cold. I drain old oils by dropping oil pan. I replaced as well RTV seal by rubber seal which came with the transmission filter. Please let me know how much fluid is needed and do I need to drain extra fluids around 1/2 qt? Anyway I got leaking RTV seal fixed. No drips on the garage floor after two nights! I as well
tightened transmission solenoid to prevent leak from there. Thanks in advanced! Joined
Jul 30, 2011 · 1,229 Posts
After dropping the pan, it should need a refill of at least 4 quarts. Did you check it on level ground, in P with the engine running, after being idled for 1 minute, and the tranny having been shifted through all of the available selections? That reading should be somewhere well inside of the cold marks. But using the cold marks becomes invalid at some point,
if van was driven a number of (15 or so) miles prior to checking. Best to check it either completely cold using the cold marks, or fully hot (driven half an hour+) using the hot marks. Joined
Jan 21, 2011 · 511 Posts
I find that driving about 15 miles or driving in town is required to bring it up to full temp. Best to check will it fully hot, and get the fluid level in the middle of the hot zone on dipstick. ATF expands greatly when hot, and having it over-filled can cause the fluid to froth causing transmission damage. Recently after changing from gasket
to RTV I found myself having to pull some fluid out of the tranmission because when it was fully hot, it was over-filled. It doesn't take much to over-fill. Usaully a pan pull will require somewhere between 3 to 4 qts...but you can really only get a good valid reading fully hot. Also, be careful reading the dipstick...sometimes it's difficult seeing exactly where the fluid is...I find it easier to see on the smooth side of the dipstick then turning it over. Joined
Jan 25, 2008 · 29,800 Posts
See this Thread about reading the dipstick: http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sh...information-from-your-transmission-s-dipstick Sitting still, stone cold, mine
shows about 1/2" above the full "hot" mark, actually it's at the bent portion in the dipstick. Never paid much attention to the actual wording on my transmission dipstick until today. It has a lot of information such as: If too full you
should be able to suction some out with this $5.00 siphon pump: http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Tools-SP6-Sportsman-Series/dp/B005VPU3T2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_12 I checked my 2002's transmission fluid level yesterday after a good 15 minute run. It was 3/16" below the hot full mark, i.e. perfect. Oh yes, XPPilot, welcome to the
Forum. Joined
Jan 13, 2014 · 48 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Jan 15, 2014 Thank you for your replies! I checked the quantity like I do engine oil check so my bad. I run engine warm and let it run for a min in idle and had to add 1 qt. to top cold range. And thanks Jeepman for the welcome! FYI. I had plenty of burned back lights on the A/C console and overhead console. I teared those to the parts and
replaced mini bulbs during the holidays. At the mean time while doing that I documented the overhead console process due to I couldn't find any instructions. For A/C console I found instructions from YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ7em-QkgiU. A/C console fix took less than two hours and cost $13. Joined Jul
10, 2008 · 646 Posts
Just to throw in my 2 cents: My '01 GCS, 3.3L takes 4-1/4 quarts of ATF if I drain it using my self-installed drain plug. If I pull the pan and replace the filter, it takes 4-3/4 quarts. I let it drain and drip for a while. Bill Joined Jan 25, 2014 ·
5 Posts
Bill, do have a part number and manufacturer where you bought the "self-installed" drain plug for the transmission pan.... I installed one of these about 1- years ago on a classic Chevy 327 with TH400 behind it and had problems with the plug sealing ? Ended up using JB Weld to anchor the drain plug housing to the pan... thanks Chris Joined Jan 25, 2008 · 29,800 Posts
Bill, do have a part number and manufacturer where you bought the "self-installed" drain plug for the transmission pan.... I installed one of these about 1- years ago on a classic Chevy 327 with TH400 behind it and had problems with the plug sealing ? Ended up using JB Weld to anchor the drain plug housing to the pan... thanks Chris
Hi chris a and welcome to the Forum. Here is a typical drain plug kit from B & M: http://www.jegs.com/i/B-M/130/80250/10002/-1 Have you thought about pumping out the fluid instead with something as
simple as this: http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Tools-SP6-Sportsman-Series/dp/B005VPU3T2/ref=pd_sim_sbs_misc_12 Buffalo Tools SP6 Siphon Pump with 6-Feet Hose by Buffalo Tools For small projects around the house and home workshop Joined Nov 8, 2013 · 342 Posts Joined Jan 25, 2014 · 5 Posts
Thanks for both replies, I'll check on purchasing the pan with the plug already mounted... I assume the recommended change interval is 30,000 miles on these vehicles especially if half the driving is in Boston commuter traffic ?
Joined Jan 25, 2008 · 29,800 Posts
Thanks for both replies, I'll check on purchasing the pan with the plug already mounted... I assume the recommended change interval is 30,000 miles on these vehicles especially if half the driving is in Boston commuter traffic ? Have you considered using a pump? or doing a non power flush (actually a complete
fluid replacement) using your transmission pump? What kind of transmission fluid does a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country take?Castrol - Transmax ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid 1 Quart (Part No. 15A9FA)
What ATF does Chrysler use?Valvoline ATF +4 is suitable for most Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and other Stellantis (formerly FCA) vehicles with automatic transmissions that require ATF +4 fluid. It's fully back-serviceable for use wherever ATF +, ATF +2 or ATF +3 is specified.
How many quarts of transmission fluid does a Chrysler town and country take?A 2016 Chrysler Town and Country transmission flush also uses about 10 quarts of fluid to completely clean and flush out the system.
How much transmission fluid does a town & country take?A typical fluid change will require anywhere from 3 to 6 quarts of ATF depending on the application, a new filter and a pan gasket (or RTV sealer) for the transmission pan. The pan must be thoroughly cleaned prior to reinstallation.
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