Wrong type of ATF in transmission?

Question

I recently went to look at a car that has some transmission troubles. I'm pretty sure the Transmission had a flush recently because of the color of the fluid. It just dawned on me but it is very possible the place that did the flush put the wrong type of fluid in it because I was told when I went to get a flush that they only use one type of fluid. Dexron III. In a car that uses ATF +3, big no no.

Anyone experience this problem?

Answer 1

It is perfectly acceptible to put Dexron III in a vehicle that calls for ATF+3 as long as a product like Lubegard protectant is added. The ATF+3 is a highly friction modified ATF and the Lubegard will make Dexron III perform perfectly in that vehicle.

They might have added the wrong ATF. Ask if they also added a modifier.

Answer 2

well if you own a car that takes ATF+3 then you must own a Chrysler or dodge. Well any way the difference in the 2 is an additive that Chrysler put in the fluid to stop what they call "shuttering". In the mid to late 80's and early 90's Chrysler had a problem with the transmission's shuttering or I guess you could say jerking. Well instead of recall or fix all those trannies they decided to make a fluid that would stop this shuttering. They have since super-ceded it with ATF+4. And Pennzoil makes a fluid called Multi-Vehicle transmission fluid that can be used for GM, Chrysler, and Mercon V for the Ford vehicles. Any way while they should not have put Dexron III in the dodge I don't think you will really notice a huge difference. But I would probably get it changed again and have the correct fluid put in. If they are any kind of shop they will reimburse you for the flush or do it over with the correct fluid.

Answer 3

Flushing machines are used to provide a quick transmission
fluid change, however they do not address transmission
pan cleanliness or filter changes. By taking the
transmission pan off, sediment in the pan as well as the
magnet can be cleaned, and the fluid filter can be
changed. Manufacturers recommend a filter change with
the oil change, and recommend against the use of flushing
machines due to possible fluid contamination from
pan sediment.

AMSOIL recommends transmission fluid and filter
changes based on the following 14 steps. For a transmission
pan and filter oil change follow steps 1 through 12
and 14, for a complete system flush and filter change follow
steps 1 through 14.
1. Access the AMSOIL web page (www.amsoil.
com) and click on the On Line Product Applications
Guide for the correct transmission fluid,
amount of fluid and transmission filter before
starting the transmission and filter change procedure.Have these on hand when starting the fluid
and filter change. If the on-line Product Application
Guide does not list your information, contact
AMSOIL Technical Department for help.
2. For best results, transmission fluid should be at
normal operating temperature before draining
the fluid (Caution: fluid will be hot).
3. With the engine off, position a drain pan under
the transmission pan and drain the fluid by loosening
the pan bolts. Loosen one corner more
than the rest to direct the flow into the drain pan.
4. Finish removing the transmission pan bolts, and
lower the transmission pan down carefully
(Some fluid is still in the transmission pan).
5. Remove the old filter and discard. Most transmission
filters are held in place with a bolt or
two however, some are held by a clip. Make
sure filter O-rings or seals are discarded with the
filter.
6. Install the new filter by using the same bolts or
clips and use a new O-ring or seal (supplied with
the new filter).
7. Inspect the pan before cleaning. A small amount
of fine gray clutch dust is normal. However, if
you find metal shavings, there could be a mechanical
malfunction or transmission damage.
8. Clean the transmission pan thoroughly with solvent
and wipe dry so there is no harmful residue.
In some transmission pans there is also a magnet
that should be cleaned and reinstalled in the
same position in the transmission pan. Clean
the transmission and transmission pan mating
surfaces of all gasket material being careful notto damage the surfaces.
9. Position the transmission pan gasket on the pan.
Some gaskets have four holes slightly smaller
than the rest to allow threading four bolts through
the pan and through these smaller gasket holes to
hold the gasket in place.
10. Hand-tighten the transmission bolts in a crisscross
pattern until snug. Use a torque wrench to tighten
the bolts to the proper ft-lbs using the manufacturer
recommended torque specifications.
11. Refill the transmission through the dipstick fill
hole using the amount shown as “refill capacity”
in the owner’s manual or the AMSOIL “product
Selection Guide” (G-50).
12. If performing a transmission pan fluid replacement
only, skip to instruction 14. If doing a complete
transmission pan and torque converter fluid
replacement, follow the steps in instruction 13.
13. Follow these additional 5 steps for complete
transmission pan and torque converter fluid replacement.
1) Obtain the total transmission fluid capacity
from the manufacturer or AMSOIL
and have that amount of transmission
fluid available.
2) Place a drain pan large enough to hold the
total fluid capacity under the oil cooler.
Disconnect the oil cooler lines from the
oil cooler and direct the lines toward the
drain pan.
3) With another person, be prepared to add
ATF to the transmission fill hole (dipstickhole) at the approximate rate as the fluid
is being pumped out the transmission line
into the drain pan.
4) Start the engine, and as the old fluid is
pumped out, add fresh fluid into the
transmission fill hole.
5) When either the fluid color brightens or
the total capacity has been replaced, shut
the engine off and re-attach the oil cooler
lines. All fluid in the transmission pan
and torque converter has now been
changed.
14. With the vehicle on level ground recheck the
fluid level using the manufacturer procedures outlined
in the owners manual. Check the transmission
and lines for leaks.

Answer 4

domt know about today but in the past Ford had a differnt trans fluid..sounds crazy to only have GM fluid.