I went out and finally put in the MOPAR NV4500 oil back in late July. I wasn't sure, but it seems like it was the first change for the tranny at 150,000 Km. So towed the trailer for a couple trips, some longer hauls for work, put just about 5000 Km (3000 mi) on it.

Well ever since I changed that oil out, it shifts like a an old 5 & 4 with square gears...Shifting from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th is just not smooth anymore and quite "clunky" if thats a word... If feels like the syncros aren't doing their job.

Is it the oil or what do I do next??

J-eh

 

Did you use the Mopar oil that costs like $20+ per qt?
Also if the trans is overfull it can cause a hot running hard to shift tranny.
Not sure on your '97 but on my '95 the level is supposed to be 1/2'' below the bottom of the fill plug on level ground.

 

Wow that better be some good oil for that price. I was under the impression that quite a few people successfully run the Redline MTL in their NV4500s. Oil can make a big difference in the feel of a tranny.

 

infidel

Ya I bent over for the Mopar oil at the local dealer, said specifically on it NV4500 oil only...

The over fill might be my problem. I guess my days of the "overfilled getrag" crept into my filling practice. The fluid is right at the hole if not a little over as it dribbles when you take out the plug. I was trying to compensate for the angle of the tranny as it sits. Its not level in the truck so I was thinking of adding a tad for level.

I will bleed off a bit and see if it helps.. Else its on to AMSOIL I think...LOL..

Thanks again...

J-eh

 

Dont feel bad, our local chysler dealer gets $32.64 a quart. When I called redline they told me a 50/50 mix of thier MTL and something 90?? was reccomended.

 

I think redline's other big tranny oil is their synthetic 75w90.

 

I'm all for saving a buck but feel using a non-recommended oil is a recipe for disaster even if the other manufactors say their fluids will work. I'm sure NV spent much effort in deciding which fluid is correct for their trannies and highly doubt they are in bed with Castrol. You might be ok for 50-100k till the fluid incompatibility with metals used in the tranny shows up.
I'd rather not experiment and use the recommended fluid but skip the dealer price and buy it here for $54/gallon http://www.standardtransmission.com/dodge.html

 

Guys, I couldn't get the Castrol syntorque they suggest when putting mine back together so I used Mobile 1 synthetic 75/90. What do you think?

 

I would suggest to put in what is called for, the syntec has caused premature wear and premature failure in them. As Bill stated go to http://www.standardtransmission.com/dodge.html and get the correct fluid. Goodluck,,Rick

 

Actually I found another place minutely cheaper. http://www.quad4x4.com/NV4500%20Parts.htm

 

Barry, considering how expensive these trannies are I feel it would be wise to use only the recommended fluid. What I've gleaned from much reading on the subject is that non-recommended fluids, synthetic or dino, have additives that attack the materials that the syncros are made from with a result similar to acid. It's slow process but worth $50 to avoid.

 

Yes I just read that using the wrong fluid will damage the carbon fiber on the synchro rings. I guess they were really concerned with weight of the truck so they used carbon fiber there.

 

I would run the recommend oil. Dodge, Gm or castrol. 75-90 is to heavy. I am running gm medium duty trans oil in mine it is about 120.00 for 4l not cheap but it seems to be working good.

 

apparantely GM carries the same tranny oil (syntorque) as DC dealers do for half the price.....

 

I agree on the syntorque, just po,ed i gotta order it and wait some more. My credit card is still smokin from the last purchase.