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Jeep transmission fluid change: For us, there really isn’t a maintenance job we love less than changing the fluid and filter on an automatic transmission. Even if you’re lucky enough to have an automatic transmission that has a transmission pan with a drain plug, it’s frustrating. And if your tranny pan doesn’t have a drain plug, be prepared for ATF to cascade down your driveway and onto you. But it’s a must if you want continued good performance and long life. So, using a 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ with a 4.0L engine, AW4 transmission, swapped NP231, and factory exhaust as an example, here are some tips to consider when changing your Jeep’s automatic transmission fluid.
Draining Your Automatic Transmission Fluid
Unfortunately, not all factory automatic transmission pans come with a drain plug. The AW4 in this 1999 Jeep Cherokee had a drain plug from the factory, but since a drain plug is a potential source of leaks that can drain an automatic transmission to the point of loss of function or permanent damage, most automatic transmissions come without provision. to easily drain the liquid. If you have a plug in your factory or aftermarket pan, use a large volume drain pan and remove the bolt from the plug and let it drain for a while. Automatic transmissions retain a large amount of fluid in their gearbox and sometimes leak for hours.
If your pan does not have a drain plug, loosen all the bolts on the pan. Leave a couple of bolts in one corner to prevent the pan from falling off, and then use a flat-edged pry tool to gently break the pan seal on the most accessible corner of the pan. You want to tilt the pan down so that the transmission fluid inside pours neatly in the same way as if you were pouring water from a baking sheet into a cup. Once you’ve gotten most of the fluid out of the tray, you can remove the last remaining bolts from the tray and carefully pour the rest into the receptacle. Sounds easy, but be prepared to make a bit of a mess.
Removing the Transmission Pan from the Vehicle
Sometimes, but not always, the transmission fluid dipstick will be part of the transmission pan. In the case of this 1999 AW4, the dipstick is inserted into a tube welded to the side of the pan. Be sure to remove the transmission dipstick first, and then carefully lower the pan, making sure not to bend or break any protrusions on the exhaust, driveshaft, or crossmember components. Also remember that there will most likely be a fair amount of residual ATF in the tray, so be careful not to dump a large amount on your driveway or garage floor.
Transmission filter change and cleaning
Most automatic transmissions have a flat filter that filters contaminants from the oil before pumping them into the rest of the transmission system. Most of these, as is the case with this AW4, are bolt-on to the transmission valve body, although some insert with a loose press fit on a plastic bushing or with a rubber o-ring, or some combination of these. everyone.
Also, some automatic transmissions may use two internal filters, one is the flat filter and the other is a box filter that looks like a short, small engine oil filter. No matter what the case, after removing the old filters, clean the mounting surfaces with some spray cleaner and inspect for gouges or damage. When installing your new filters, lubricate any o-rings, bushings, or gaskets with a little ATF to help prevent nicks and gouges as they are inserted. Also, if you are installing a cartridge filter, it is always a good practice, as with a motor oil filter, to add fluid to the inside of the filter so it does not dry out completely when you first turn it on after the fluid change. .
At this time, you’ll also want to carefully clean any old RTV or gasket material from the pan’s mounting surface. If possible, try to avoid using high-speed rotary tools that can throw small RTV particles into the transmission where they could block fine passages. It is best to use a sharp joint scraper or razor blade, then switch to the rotary tool only if necessary.
Automatic Transmission Pan Reinstallation and Sealing
Automatic transmission pans can sometimes be a pain to seal properly, and most synthetic transmission fluids like the ATF+4 required by most Jeep cars is quite expensive. So not getting a good seal and realizing after filling your transmission with $75 worth of new fluid that you have to drop the pan and reseal it again is not going to be a welcome experience. For that reason, we generally don’t use cork or rubber tray gaskets, as they can come off and not seal. In the past, we’ve sometimes had good luck with Mopar’s anaerobic joint sealant, which remains in a nearly liquid state unless acted upon by air.
But it’s a bit expensive and our results with it aren’t always stellar, so we generally use Permatex Ultra Black RVT silicone. As we stated earlier, automatic transmissions have many cracks, passages, and crevices and can leak fluid for hours, sometimes even days. It’s not uncommon to install the tray, and as you snap it into place, a drop of ATF spills onto the perfectly degreased surface of the tray you just prepared. Ultra Black is super strong and will generally seal even if some transmission fluid inadvertently drips onto the transmission case seal surface, although we’re not saying surface preparation isn’t necessary for best results.
To clean the pan gasket, we haven’t found a better tool than the Snap-On Crud Thug. We’ve used this wire wheel rotary tool for decades, and it’s always amazing how quickly it removes automotive sealants.
Reinstalling Your Automatic Transmission Tray
When it comes time to reinstall the drive pan, if you are using RTV, you will need to decide for yourself whether it is better to bead the drive box or the drive pan itself. In this case, we had to slide the tray up past the exhaust pipe, and in doing so, the rear of the tray almost made contact with the transmission crossmember.
We did a test before applying the RTV and found that if a bead had been placed in the transmission pan it would have been bad on the crossmember, so instead we applied the RTV directly to the tranny case and then we put the saucepan underneath. We hung the pan just below the transmission and then used two of the pan bolts on opposite corners, loosely fitting them to make sure all the bolt holes lined up and we wouldn’t have to slide the pan from side to side. , spoiling our RTV stub. Once the two pan bolts located it correctly, we installed the rest of the bolts finger-tight, then torqued them to spec working out from the center of the pan.
Once the pan was on and we let the RTV cure a bit, we added several quarts of ATF until it showed on the transceiver dipstick and then ran the engine quickly before shutting it down. We checked the transmission fluid one more time to make sure it was showing on the dipstick and then started the engine and put the transmission in Neutral. Most automatic transmissions require the gear selector to be in neutral when checking the fluid level. With a safe level in Neutral, we smoothly shifted into Reverse, then Drive, then checked the fluid level again, adding as necessary and repeating the process until the level was in the middle of the marks on the dipstick tube. . We test drove the Jeep, checked for leaks and called the job done.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Services Offered Courtesy of Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram:
- Transmission Filter Replacement
- Stream Download
- transmission repair
- Transmission Fluid Change
- Transmission Restore
- A complete 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission service includes a fluid change, filter replacement, gasket, flush, hose and pan inspection, and a free multi-point inspection on all other components.
At Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, our technicians specialize in 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission repair and are OEM certified. Check out our online service team reviews to see why thousands of Jeep Wrangler owners read us for fast, affordable and reliable auto repair.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Download
Transmission cleaning is often twice the price of a fluid change due to the deposit of time the service takes and the fact that cleaning not only replaces the fluid in the pan, but also removes the fluid from the cooler lines and other parts of your transmission. The 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission flush also uses about 10 quarts of fluid to completely clean and flush the system.
How do you know if you need a transmission fluid change or a transmission flush?
A clean transmission is only critical if your system contains dirt or debris. If the fluid is extremely dark or contains substitute sludge, we would refer to a full system flush rather than just changing the fluid.
Transmission Filter for 2020 Jeep Wrangler
Changing the transmission filter in your 2020 Jeep Wrangler is not as easy as other filters in your vehicle. There are several elements in your transmission filter that encompass the filter itself, which is typically a metal plate with a fiber material that traps contaminants. Your 2020 Jeep Wrangler will also include a pickup tube, gasket, and rubber seal that may need to be replaced along with the filter.
Your 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission filter will need to be replaced every 30,000 or 50,000 miles. Hope to check your vehicle’s maintenance guide for more information on mileage and time intervals. You can also call Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for expert advice. If you want us to take care of your streaming service, naturally, we promote monthly streaming service coupons ranging from discounts on filters to special deals on liquids.
Transmission Fluid for 2020 Jeep Wrangler
A transmission fluid change is typically half the cost of a transmission flush, as it requires much less fluid and time to perform. 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission fluid changes are extremely vital to keeping your vehicle’s transmission nice and lubricated. If you don’t routinely change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, it is possible for the transmission in your 2020 Jeep Wrangler to slip. Consult your car’s owner’s manual for more information on the discernible mileage intervals at which your transmission needs to have its fluid changed.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Replacement
Automotive transmissions are extremely complex. Determining whether to rebuild or replace a controversial transmission can be extremely difficult. Typically, the determining factor is choosing which components are contentious or fail. During a rebuild, Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram will completely disassemble the transmission of your 2020 Jeep Wrangler and clean and inspect each part. This requires tremendous knowledge not about transmission components, but about repair vs. replacement estimation. It also requires knowing which parts are suitable. Our Jeep Certified Master Technicians specialize in transmissions and can complete this process immediately and effectively.
Replacing the 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission is a much simpler option, however it can be more expensive in abbreviated terms. Value shouldn’t be your only concern when looking for a transmission replacement, especially in a 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Having the newest, most practical parts assembled by a factory-trained Master Technician can save you a great deal of money in the long run. The option that is key for you is entirely your decision.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Problems
Common warning signs that your transmission is having trouble are:
- If you notice a strange noise or screeching when you shift gears, or if you feel the gears stick when you shift them, it’s likely that your transmission needs more lube, or something more dangerous could be at fault.
- A clear sign would be if the transmission warning light on your 2020 Jeep Wrangler is on.
- Strange odors are a sign that the transmission fluid is burning inside the components.
- One of the most normal signs is when your transmission shifts but the result of those shifts is delayed.
- Transmission fluid leaks are the most common sign that you need a transmission fluid change, or potentially even a full cleaning service. It’s rare, but leaks could also mean there’s a problem with the transmission hose.
If you are experiencing or think you may be experiencing any of these issues, call Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram today and we will guide you through the step-by-step process of checking your fluid levels or you can bring your 2020 Jeep Wrangler to our Trained Technicians at factory and we can diagnose any issues your vehicle may have free of charge as part of our multi-point inspection process.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Transmission Cost
The estimate for a new 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission could be over $3,500 depending on the vehicle, however transmission services such as fluid changes and transmission fluid flushes are considerably less expensive, in some cases costing less than $150. These services are a must to extend the life of your 2020 Jeep Wrangler transmission.
2020 Jeep Wrangler Automatic vs Manual Transmission
Automatic and manual transmission will often require contrasting fluids. Automatic transmission fluids are usually thinner and often red or green in color. Manual transmission fluid or gear oil is thicker due to alternative additives and compounds essential to lubricate the gearbox and alternative components. Manual transmissions have a higher friction environment due to the way gears are shifted, so the lubricant contrasts.
Not only are the fluids diversified between manual and automatic transmissions, but the level of heat experienced by the fluids is remarkably diversified. Automatic transmissions generate more heat and therefore the transmission fluid needs to be changed more frequently. If you don’t change the transmission fluid in your 2020 Jeep Wrangler, your transmission will have broken metal shavings and various corrosive material scattered throughout the vital components of your 2020 Jeep Wrangler. Typically, you should check fluid levels between service intervals Transmission Flush & Fluid. In many cases, manual transmissions do not come equipped with a dipstick to check fluid levels, so it can be extremely difficult to do so. Call or visit Courtesy Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for more information if your transmission does not contain a dipstick.
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