Trans Fluid Questions (AW4)

V

vagrant

NAXJA Forum User
Location
USA
How do you know whether you have ATF or Dexron in a transmission? Is there some sort of test I can do? Thanks I noticed my fluid level is getting low (we put a trans cooler on too, which made us lose some fluid) and want to top it off, but not sure what we have in there. I bought the trans from a salvage yard and they had just filled it and they can't remember which fluid they used the guy thinks it's Dexron but can't really be sure. I can't drain it completely and no shops near me can do it they only do oil changes. Would it hurt to add a couple quarts of Dexron III to bring the levels up to normal? It seems it would be more important to have sufficient fluid levels than the type of fluid? Not really sure so I'm asking those who know. ;)

:peace:
 
Look, anytime I buy a used vehicle I change every fluid in that vehicle, because you never know 1) what was put in it, 2) when it was put in, 3) how was it driven?

There are numerous posts on here on changing the fluid in an AW4.

There are numerous posts on here of damaged AW4 transmissions because ignorant individuals are selling ATF +4 to customers needing Dextron III.

You have just purchased and installed a transmission. Is that job very high on your "fun things to do and spend money at the same time" list?

You will have people post to this thread that their uncle Billy-Bob Ray knows a guy who knows a guy whose brother mixed fluids and never had a problem. Believe what you will, but just remember who it is that will pay the price.
 
What do you mean by ATF or Dexron? Isn't Dexron just a type of ATF? DexronII/Mercon is recommended. I think DexronIII would be OK, but it is discussed on some other threads. I don't think you can even get the DexronII anymore. I would check the bottle to see if it is recommended to replace Mercon also.
 
It is suposed to have DEX III however I flushed my AW4 and filled it with the ATF +4 a the dealers instruction. It is full synthetic and has better cleaning properties. My aw4 had around 198k on it when I did the fluid change. I put about 1k on it so far as it is a trail rig. so far the trans is working better than it did on my first run. I may flush it and go back to the dex or just keep the ATF and see if it blows. I am going to have to pull the transfer case eventually anyway, if the trans goes it will just be an excuse to install the 4 : 1 kit and the SYE sooner.
 
Kevinma255 said:
It is suposed to have DEX III however I flushed my AW4 and filled it with the ATF +4 a the dealers instruction. It is full synthetic and has better cleaning properties. My aw4 had around 198k on it when I did the fluid change. I put about 1k on it so far as it is a trail rig. so far the trans is working better than it did on my first run. I may flush it and go back to the dex or just keep the ATF and see if it blows. I am going to have to pull the transfer case eventually anyway, if the trans goes it will just be an excuse to install the 4 : 1 kit and the SYE sooner.
Click to expand...

Look, do a Google search "AW4 and ATF +4" or just search here.

Your dealer stuck it to you, and broke off the shaft.

There are synthetic Universal transmission fluids that claim Dextron/Mercon and ATF +4 capability. I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that the dealership doesn't stock the Universal synthetic. They stock ATF +4, which is for very late model Chrysler transmissions. Unfortunately, you have an Aisin-Warner transmission. And you got forked.
 
didnt buy from the dealer so they have nothing to gain. and as I said it is working better with the ATF so it seems to be cleaning the bands or softening them and going to kill the trans. I will know soon enough. I will probably go back to the dex to be safe but as one of my favorite quotes states, "if she dies, she dies" nothing a junk yard and a couple of hours cant fix. I want to put a manual in it anyway.
 
Ok, (slowly chewing crow)...

According to Chrysler Service Bulletin 21-014-07, GROUP: Transmission, DATE: October 16, 2007 the Asian (asin) Warner 4 transmission is now included in the ATF +4 family.

See it here: http://www.wkjeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk_2101407.pdf
 
Damn, this crow is tough to chew, but it isn't the first time I have had to eat it!
 
Yes, Chrysler did issue that bulletin which "blesses" the use of ATF + 4 for the Jeep Cherokee. However, many suspect that bulletin was based more on a logistics reason in the parts department, rather than a technical one.

Dexron was the fluid of choice and spec up until that bulletin was issued, and from more than a few people's negative experience with the ATF + 4, I think the Dexron or synthetics compatible with Dexron are still the best fluid choices for the AW4.
 
birchlakeXJ said:
Yes, Chrysler did issue that bulletin which "blesses" the use of ATF + 4 for the Jeep Cherokee. However, many suspect that bulletin was based more on a logistics reason in the parts department, rather than a technical one.

Dexron was the fluid of choice and spec up until that bulletin was issued, and from more than a few people's negative experience with the ATF + 4, I think the Dexron or synthetics compatible with Dexron are still the best fluid choices for the AW4.
Click to expand...

Does this mean that I can just eat the wings, drumsticks, thighs and feathers?

Actually, when I read the bulletin, I was thinking that the formula might have been improved.
 
Check out the 20w Sweptco, way better than anything you can buy from a auto parts store or a dealer. It will also not expand and blow out of your vent. Its not cheap, but is is really good stuff.
 
I was checking on this last week because I read in JP magazine where Christian Hazel told a guy with an 89 Cherokee with the AW4 to use ATF+4.
All the searching I did basicialy said this:
"
This is from the Center for Quality Assurance site (as of July 24, 2008): “ATF+4® is approved for use in older transmissions and is currently utilized in newer Chrysler®, Jeep® and Dodge® vehicles. The previous MOPAR ATF+3® formulation was discontinued in 2005 and ATF+4® is recommended for all transmissions filled with ATF+3®.”
There is an important exception for Jeep owners. As Danny noted, "The Jeep AW-4 (Aisin-Warner) transmission should use Dexron III." Greg, a DCX tech, wrote that the AW4/AX4 transmission was used on 6-cylinder [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]Jeep [COLOR=blue! important]Cherokees[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] through the end of production, and on the first six-cylinder 1993 Grand Cherokees (built in 1992 and 1993), but on the Grand Cherokee it was phased out midway through the 1993 model year. This transmission requires Dexron, while the 42RE / A500SE which replaced the Aisin-Warner transmission midway in the 1993 model year needs ATF+4. Again, if you are confused, you may just want to try one of the new universal fluids that is both Dexron and ATF+4 compatible."

From: http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

I sent that to JP magazine. They did not respond. ATF+4 is great stuff but I won't put it in my 1990 Cherokee.
 
if you use ATF+4 have fun replacing your trans (maybe the second time for the OP). its a matter of chemestry. the ingredients in +4 is not compatable (read has corrosive properties ie, disolves) some of the parts inside the AW4. it is designed to use Dex II. even the drain plug has DII stamped on it! Dex III has replaced dex II and can be used in all dex II applications.

have fun replacing your trans. hope you have the E12 socket handy!
 
I definitely want to replace the fluid, that's why I am asking if it's OK to mix them because I have no way to drain it completely. I want to do this: drain as much as possible by pulling the pan, reinstall pan, add ~4 quarts of DexIII, drive it for 45 minutes, repeat steps until I'm using mostly DexIII. My fluid levels are currently so low that none of it reaches my cooler. So I've got to do something before it overheats.
 
The pan only holds 2 qts. The whole system holds 8.45 qts. Use the following method. It's way better than slow dilution by pan volumn.


17 Hours Ago
lazyxj
NAXJA Member #1310
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 425​


Re: DIY Transmission Flush - Havent read about this being done...
I have used this method for decades when not changing the filter. It gets out just about all the old ATF.​

Drain the pan and refill with fresh ATF.
Pull the cooler return line and connect it to a clear hose. Stick the end of the hose into a 1-gallon jug.
Start and idle the engine until 1 quart or so comes out and then turn the engine off. A helper is useful but not necessary, as the oil is not pumped out very quickly when idling.
Add the same amount of ATF to the transmission filler as what was pumped out.
Make sure to keep an eye on the jug so you do not over fill it.
Repeat the above until the fluid, in the hose, changes from a dirty color to clean. You will see the difference.
Top off the trans fluid, reconnect the cooler line and you are done.
Seal the jugs of used ATF and recycle them at your local auto parts store.​

You do use a couple quarts more than what the FSM says the trans holds as the extra ATF flushes the old oil out of the torque converter.
If done right, there is nothing about this that can cause the transmission harm.
[FONT=&quot]It is not the same as power flushing.[/FONT]​


​
 
winterbeater said:
The pan only holds 2 qts. The whole system holds 8.45 qts. Use the following method. It's way better than slow dilution by pan volumn.



17 Hours Ago
lazyxj
NAXJA Member #1310
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 425​




Re: DIY Transmission Flush - Havent read about this being done...
I have used this method for decades when not changing the filter. It gets out just about all the old ATF.​



Drain the pan and refill with fresh ATF.
Pull the cooler return line and connect it to a clear hose. Stick the end of the hose into a 1-gallon jug.
Start and idle the engine until 1 quart or so comes out and then turn the engine off. A helper is useful but not necessary, as the oil is not pumped out very quickly when idling.
Add the same amount of ATF to the transmission filler as what was pumped out.
Make sure to keep an eye on the jug so you do not over fill it.
Repeat the above until the fluid, in the hose, changes from a dirty color to clean. You will see the difference.
Top off the trans fluid, reconnect the cooler line and you are done.
Seal the jugs of used ATF and recycle them at your local auto parts store.​



You do use a couple quarts more than what the FSM says the trans holds as the extra ATF flushes the old oil out of the torque converter.
If done right, there is nothing about this that can cause the transmission harm.
[FONT=&quot]It is not the same as power flushing.[/FONT]​
Click to expand...

hey winterbeater. LEARN HOW TO USE THE QUOTE BUTTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the way you are attempting to quote is extremely anoying. hitting the quote button is a lot easier than trying to copy and paste like you are.
 
Can you quote from other threads? I though that the quote would only take the quote to the end of the thread you are in. Hey, I'm an old man who would rather fix a car than a computer. An I wrong? I'm still not to old to learn (at least I'll try). How do you quote from a different thread?
 
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